Thinking about going to backplate & wing config for travel, what do I need to know?

[RJP]

Many awesome responses, thanks guys. I've been Googling for something like a walkthrough of the BP&W system like maybe a description of all of the components and the role they play but all I am finding is advertisements and they seem to be really selling one aspect or another of the product. Is there a non biased, education based place I can learn more about this type or hardware? I feel that if I gain more knowledge about the BP&W hardware and the role each piece plays I will have a better idea of what I am looking for.

And yes, I certainly plan to take lots of specialty courses to improve my skills and knowledge in different areas but I'd like a bit of a head start on the equipment learning.

I'm sure someone will post a link - or Tobin will chime in - shortly after I finish typing this...

Here's a link on configuring a BP/W rig: DIR-diver.com - Adjust the backplate

There's not many "components" to gain knowledge about, and their roles are pretty straightforward

• Backplate: tanks, wing, and harness attach to this; steel, aluminum, nylon/plastic versions available; all manufacturers offerings are largely more similar than different
• 
• Wing: aircell to establish buoyancy via filling/dumping air via corrugated inflator hose. Single-tank and double-tank versions. There are some touted as being good for both singles/doubles... consensus seems to be they end up being less than ideal for either. Horseshoe and donut style available. Some have bolt-holes to attach to plate, others have slots for the cam band straps to be threaded through the wing and plate
• 
• Harness: at it's simplest it's a single, continuous length of 2" webbing that comprises both shoulders and waist strap and allows diver to don the kit, while also accommodating several D-rings. A crotch strap is also part of the harness; this prevents the rig from riding up and is also used when diver is diving with a DPV (scooter)
• D-rings; typical recommendation is for 5; left shoulder, right shoulder, left hip, butt, and crotch.
• Buckle; typically metal, on the waist to secure the system; common to have a second buckle threaded on the right hip side to secure a canister light
• 
• Weight system: your choice of weightbelt, harness, or integrated pockets; consideration should be given to amount of weight as well as placement of weight vis-a-vis trim considerations
• Cam-bands: two straps to attach a single tank to the system (doubles are attached via two bolts from the tank bands that go through two holes in the plate. Those holes are a standard distance apart across manufacturers) Some manufacturers require a tank adapter for attaching cam bands, some don't
• 
• Storage pack: (optional) mounted to BP as way to store an SMB/lift bag
• 

Put it all together and it looks something like this...

Other considerations:

• Some rigs have/need single-tank adapters (weighted or non-weighted)
• Some rigs have versions that are adjustable via additional buckles, straps, etc
• Some have ability to adjust a single, continuous strap
• Some rigs have padding on shoulder straps and/or backplate
• Some manufacturers offer different size plates; most people can manage with a regular/standard size
• There are all manner of attachable weights, weight pouches, pockets, accessories, etc available

 

[cool_hardware52]

Many awesome responses, thanks guys. I've been Googling for something like a walkthrough of the BP&W system like maybe a description of all of the components and the role they play but all I am finding is advertisements and they seem to be really selling one aspect or another of the product. Is there a non biased, education based place I can learn more about this type or hardware? I feel that if I gain more knowledge about the BP&W hardware and the role each piece plays I will have a better idea of what I am looking for.

My advice is to buy a *simple* *complete* BP&W from a single vendor. All the parts will work together. Obsessing about each individual component and trying to source each separately often ends up with a less than ideal result, and at greater cost than purchasing a "package deal" It's like PC's, buy one built and ready to run the first time, then maybe consider buying a tower and motherboard, and video card, drive controllers and storage separately.

Often the only real way to learn about exactly what you want, vs what you think you want as a result of "extensive on line research" is to buy one of whatever and use it. The good news is today it's pretty hard to buy a *bad* BP&W, particularly if you keep it simple.

And yes, I certainly plan to take lots of specialty courses to improve my skills and knowledge in different areas but I'd like a bit of a head start on the equipment learning.

I'm not opposed to training, but my advice is to dive, *alot*. There is no substitute for time in the water.


Tobin

 

[RJP]

I'm sure someone will post a link - or Tobin will chime in - shortly after I finish typing this...

My advice is...

And... there it is!



+ echo on Tobin's thoughts on training.

 

[ScubaDoo83]

RJP, really appreciate this breakdown. Your willingness to drop knowledge bombs is appreciated

I'm not opposed to training, but my advice is to dive, *alot*. There is no substitute for time in the water.

Tobin

I aim to do it as often as possible, being located in the midwest adds an additional hurdle or two (also another reason to learn specialties such as drysuit)

 

[wycacher]

I got my bp/w from Jim Lapenta here on scubaboard. He answered a lot of my questions via email very quickly, and was a huge help in getting it set up correctly.

 

[RJP]

RJP, really appreciate this breakdown. Your willingness to drop knowledge bombs is appreciated

Be careful; anything I post is just as likely to be a grenade.

 

[Mustard Dave]

I have flown with my steel BP&W a few times now, and I don't find it a problem. In terms of size, it takes up far less space than my old jacket BCD. This is not much use to anyone across the pond, but I often fly with Easyjet (a European low cost airline). They have a fantastic allowance on hand luggage - as long as it within 56 X 45 X 25 cm and you can lift it into the overhead locker, there is no weight limit. Standard hold luggage is 20kg, but you can buy more. The BP&W goes in my hold luggage, with my boots, wetsuit, fins, masks, DSMBs etc. There is usually enough spare for a few other bits. Regs, computers, torches go in the hand luggage, along with my clothes. I could probably save a bit of weight with an aluminium BP, but the weight of a steel plate doesn't really cause me a problem.

 

[Texasguy]

For warm waters dives, steel vs aluminum plate:
- if you don't want to play with weights, a steel plate probably will be an exact weight to the al80 tank and 3mm wetsuit (granted, you are not obese)
- if you like to use shoulder and hip pockets for weights to dial in the balance, aluminum will work the best, you'd use 2 to 6 pounds on top of that in salt waters
- with a steel plate you can control the balance with pushing the tank up or down, however, that has its own limits
- aluminum is better against the salt water but I doubt the difference is big maintenance wise
- if you are airing out your rig, aluminum plate is better because you can use hotel's clothes hangers, wet rig + steel is too heavy for some (though, you can combine a few at a time)

Single tank adapters:
- if you use STA, your tank becomes better fixed, doesn't roll left and right when you incline, specifically if you dive a steel tank
- without STA, if your bladder is full, it restricts the tank travel somewhat but on an empty bladder the tank flaps around a tad more
- however, STA raises the tank up a bit from the plate an inch or so, this may feel like the tank is heavier when you roll, kind of, as if it is on a longer lever, acting as with more force, feeling more heavy

 

[James R]

I have traveled many times with a steel BPW. I only don't take it if I know I have steel tanks available from the dive op as a steel tank and steel plate would be too much weight, so I take my AL plate.

If I had to just have one, it would be the steel plate.

 

[DiverJP]

I've got no dog in this fight, but after traveling with a BP/W for many years, I found something at BTS this year that was really exciting. Check out the xDeep Ghost BC. 5 lbs...