OP
SkullDeformity
Contributor
A good start would be the "To those considering getting certified" thread, which has a ton of mixed replies and has potential to be a useful resource. I've got some time, I'll put together some basic FAQs.Ber Rabbit:
I've poured all I can think of into this, and I think I'm going to need help articulating everything accurately. So any additions or comments to my, likely, innaccurate attempts would be beneficial.
While this may be overly ambitious of me, I will now attempt to answer a half dozen or so common and simple questions without opinion or bias. Although I cannot completely cut my own opinion out, so I will indicate “flavored” statements in italics. I foresee lots of qualifiers in the future, such as “sometimes,” “a few,” and “could.” This is because some points are debatable
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> </o>Backplate and wing, or BP/W or vest style BCD?<o
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> </o>Backplate and wing<o
></o>The air is filled to a bladder mounted behind a metal backplate with straps across the front, including a crotch strap. The strap is one continuous piece of webbing, which makes for the fewest number of failure points. D-rings can be moved or affixed to many areas of the webbing. Backplates are highly adjustable for people of all sizes, extra large, extra small, etc. There are several manufacturers of backplates, but all generally share the same design. The single donut ring of the air bladder allows for air to flow freely through the wing to compensate for slight variations in the overall rig. The BP/W is “bare bones” in that there are no bells or whistles, very minimal. This makes it good for cave or wreck diving where space may be limited. You can add pockets and integrated weights to the system if you wish. You can also consider gluing pockets directly to the thighs of your wet or drysuit. If you plan on moving into technical diving or double tanks, the interchangeable wing can be swapped out to a higher lift specialized wing.
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> </o>The BP/W system does not “face plant” you into the water at the surface. It is thought by this user of a backplate that it also provides additional stability underwater. Many BP/W users prefer a simple weight belt, and the added weight of the backplate lets you take some weight off that belt. The added weight of the back plate is useful for cold water diving where, because of drysuits and thick neoprene, lots of weight is needed. In double tanks V-weights are used, completely eliminating the weight belt. Even if you are recreational or warm water diving, photographing or anything else, the BP/W is still completely appropriate for you. What works in a more demanding or difficult situation will work just as well in any other. When I was shopping for my first BCD, the owner of my LDS told me “There are people who have dove BP/W and love it, and those who haven’t dove it.” Also given the ruggedness of this type of BCD, it will last you a lifetime. Sorry, salesman out.<o
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> </o>Two big brands of backplates are the loved/hated Halcyon, Diverite, and Oxycheck. Diverite tends to be the more available, and has lots of extra features available.
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> </o>Vest/jacket style, or “conventional” BCD<o
></o>This is the BCD most people have used to learn to dive. They come in dozens styles and are made by lots of different companies. This BCD consists of an air bladder in the shape of vest, which you wear. The vest is held onto your body by varying methods depending on the brand. All share in common a Velcro cumberbun, which goes across your stomach, and a secondary buckle strap, also across your stomach. I do no like vest style BCDs for this reason. Your diaphragm is in your gut, and putting constriction across your diaphragm in a sport where breathing is sensitive doesn’t make any sense to me. There are also at times chest straps.
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> </o>Since this is the style of BCD most taught with, new divers sometimes find it to be most comfortable and familiar. Pockets with zippers and Velcro are in various locations, also on the brand. Weight integration is generally standard, putting all lead into pockets and eliminating weight belts. Consider, however, that when you perform a BCD removal and replacement that you will go up and you BCD will stay down. It could be beneficial to wear some of your weight on a belt. This BCD is appropriate for recreational diving in cold or warm water. D-rings are static and cannot be moved, nor does it not give flexibility to move into doubles.
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> </o>The ******* child of BP/W and vest style is the “back inflate” BCD. The air bladder is mounted on your back while the front more closely resembles a vest style BCD with ranging features. Some have weight integration and pockets, others are bare bones-ish. The prevailing favorite of scubaboard is the zeagle brand, last time I checked.
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> </o>No one can tell you what works for you but you. Find what is right and comfortable for you. Try out various types of BCDs before deciding on what to buy. Often times, generous people can be found who are willing to loan you their BC to try out for a dive. Divers are notorious salesmen for their own gear. Do consider the pros and cons of both, when purchasing my BC I was first terrified of the alien BP/W, and my first dive was not all that comfortable. As I dove with it more and learned how to adjust everything I was thrilled with having gear that fit me perfectly and comfortably.<o
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> </o><st1:City w:st="on"><st1
lace w:st="on">Split</st1lace></st1:City> or paddle fins?<o
> </o>This is a prickly subject as there are lovers in near equal numbers on both sides of this philosophical question.
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> </o><st1:City w:st="on"><st1
lace w:st="on">Split</st1lace></st1:City> fins are newer, and have lots of engineering to back them up. The basic idea is that the fin flexes, and has a lot more surface area than a paddle fin. Users of split fins tell me they are easier to kick, and easier on their feet and knees. <st1:City w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Split</st1lace></st1:City> fins are best used in a quick flutter kick type fashion. The most popular brand and model of these fins changes often, and seems arbitrary to me which fins are considered “best”. A popular rumor of split fins is that they are not very effective against a current, split fin users tell me this is not a problem.<o
> </o>Paddle fins are just that, paddle fins. They do not vary quite as much as split fins except in length and material. Paddle fins allow for varied underwater movement, such as pivoting in place, back kicking, and frog kicking. They can just as easily be used for flutter kicking. Some split fin users have apparently been able to do these same techniques with split fins. The most popular paddle fin is the Scubapro Jet Fin since they are heavy, which aids in proper trim, and give you lots of power to push gear through the water. Jet Fins or other similar models are used by technical divers for these reasons..<o
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> </o>So again, whatever works for you. Try out both and go with what you like. If you are recreationally diving, you really can’t go wrong here. <st1:City w:st="on"><st1
lace w:st="on">Split</st1lace></st1:City> fins do cost quite a bit more than paddles however. If you plan on going into technical diving, a scolding will likely occur upon display of your split fins. I prefer paddle fins, simply because I plan on moving into technical diving.<o></o><o
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