I have been looking through all the info that I can find for the Zeagle Rapid Diver system. This is not because the overall system is of interest to me, but because the BC portion of the system interests to me. I like the option of attaching the BC directly to a backplate. This could make for a very stable and versatile system. I would like to know how this set-up affects a divers trim. Please provide any guidance you can regarding the system and/or the BC's (BC use with a backplate and a regular tank) use and the diver's trim. Does the BC tend to force a diver face up at depth? Does it make maintaining a horizontal position difficult at depth?
I am a recreational diver who wears little lead (6# in saltwater with a 3mm suit, and 10-12# in freshwater with a full 7mm suit) and dives primarily with a single Aluminum 80. I have good trim and buoyancy control (not quite like the DIR guys, but I get comments from fellow divers), and I am comfortable in the water. I have difficulty getting a good fit from a jacket style BC.
I am thinking about going to a BP/W set-up. I have dove a Dive Rite Trans-pac twice, once in the pool, and once in open water. At the surface, I felt that the wing was pushing my face forward into the water. It is merely a distraction when I am fully aware and able, but what happens in an emergency, or if I'm panicked, or if I'm unconcious. I understand that the pushing forward sensation could improve with a trim weight on the tank or something like that, but I like to be able to float face-up at the surface. So, I am considering ditching the wing part of a BP/W and installing a Rapid Diver BC on a backplate. The BC is very low lift (let's not start an arguement over lift requirements now, please), which will contribute to improved streamlining. It allows for an easy face-up position at the surface due to the location of the aircell, and with a backplate, this could be a fully customizable system.
And...if you don't want to comment on any of that, you could recommend a very streamlined single-tank wing. Right now, I think the OMS single tank BC w/ 32# of lift looks good.
I appreciate your comments.
I am a recreational diver who wears little lead (6# in saltwater with a 3mm suit, and 10-12# in freshwater with a full 7mm suit) and dives primarily with a single Aluminum 80. I have good trim and buoyancy control (not quite like the DIR guys, but I get comments from fellow divers), and I am comfortable in the water. I have difficulty getting a good fit from a jacket style BC.
I am thinking about going to a BP/W set-up. I have dove a Dive Rite Trans-pac twice, once in the pool, and once in open water. At the surface, I felt that the wing was pushing my face forward into the water. It is merely a distraction when I am fully aware and able, but what happens in an emergency, or if I'm panicked, or if I'm unconcious. I understand that the pushing forward sensation could improve with a trim weight on the tank or something like that, but I like to be able to float face-up at the surface. So, I am considering ditching the wing part of a BP/W and installing a Rapid Diver BC on a backplate. The BC is very low lift (let's not start an arguement over lift requirements now, please), which will contribute to improved streamlining. It allows for an easy face-up position at the surface due to the location of the aircell, and with a backplate, this could be a fully customizable system.
And...if you don't want to comment on any of that, you could recommend a very streamlined single-tank wing. Right now, I think the OMS single tank BC w/ 32# of lift looks good.
I appreciate your comments.
