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- I just don't log dives
As to your original question -- I do dive a jacket BC in the pool with students, where I have to demonstrate skills. The only ones that are different are the doff and don, but they are significantly different. If your instructors will not ask you to demo those skills, everything else will be fine. Honestly, I think students rarely notice what gear we are using -- we do use backplates in OW, and the students have never asked any questions about that different-looking gear.
Wow, so many strong opinions about jacket BC for a DM. From my limited experience, while in the pool demonstrating PADI OW or AOW skills, I use a jacket BC with octo (minimal back inflate BCD). If I am accompany an OW student in open water, I will use a jacket BC/octo. After the pool sessions and first OW dives, I use a BP/W, long hose, et al. Many feel that OW students during the pool sessions and first OW dives need consistency and similar message. As a DM, I use my BP/W etc. Of course, I go over my personal equipment with the customers, so they have a clear mental image for OOA and other related issues. After a few days of diving, they all start to look at my kit, long hose and start to ask questions. I am not associated with any LDS or equipment dealer.
My daughter was certified as an OW and AOW diver by a GUE instructor. My daughter and her instructor used a standard BC/octo for the pools sessions and first OW dives. After the pools sessions and first OW dives, he started to use his standard kit and he donated a BP/W for my daughter. Now she is spoiled and will never use a BCD (nor a computer for that matter). My two cents, charlie