Damselfish:
I don't think I'm the only person this is heard from. BIs face planting people is often mentioned, then quickly put down as a fictional thing that doesn't really happen. Just maybe, sometimes it does...?
Most times i hear anything about this its secondhand, rather than firsthand - ie mostly they have this "opinion" as someone told them it would, but they havent experienced it themselves and cant state from that experience - mostly the case of it being mentioned, partly i reckon it stems from folks who love that BCD jacket squeeze and partly from LDS owners badmouthing anything they dont sell and most LDS's dont sell them as they arent as commercially viable.
Damselfish:
Ditchable tank weights? I'd probably have fine enough balance by just putting 3# in each trim pocket, just nothing ditchable. Anyway, this isn't diving with my own tank at home or someplace where the gear is in my control all the time - I can't have something separate to put on my tank-of-the-moment - tends not to work well in many resort situations. Something on the regular strap at least keeps me with one unit. We'll see how it works. I suppose I could go back to a weight belt
I can ditch the weight out of them, but it does take a bit of contortion to drop it out. The pouches are mounted on the tank bands - i put them right in by the BP behind the wing just to keep them out of the way. As you move your BP/STA from one tank to another so the tank weights come with you. Granted you might or might not be able to split up weights given to you on some charters when you have flown away from home - but nor will WI jacket users be able to do so.
Weight ditching should really only been done on the surface (or i guess with a full tank at depth - easily ditchable weight should equal tank swing weight, the rest non-ditchable - the only reason to ditch should be a complete loss of buoyancy or needing to get to the surface really soon - but lets not open this can of worms if we can avoid it). Of course you could also get your buddy to help you get the weights out when you are on the surface - or of course take off your rig, ditch and replace the rig - same with any trim weights on ANY bcd or BP/W combo.
Damselfish:
well, not crazy about the idea of wetsuit pockets, given that my "wetsuit" is sometimes just a lycra skin which isn't going to support much, and I don't want to move things from pocket to pocket - keep a couple suits in rotation so I can have a dry one when doing 4-5/day.
x-shorts - not my style - plus I don't want another item to put on. I'm after as few separate pieces as possible.
I've actually bought several pockets intended for harnesses and tried them on the strap but none of them have worked very well for one reason or another. I'm using the least objectionable of them currently. When I get around to it I'm going to make the perfect pocket...
I understand the wetsuit pockets and x-shorts issues, they are solution, but only for those who like that idea. As for pockets, i have found mine stay in place on the waist strap with on of those weight belt keepers slid infront of the pocket to prevent the pocket from sliding off - the other option i found was zip-tying them on when the straps to hold the pocket were larger than 2" - that friction held them nicely.
meisburger:
Yes, but can anyone answer the neutral stability question posed above. Can you hover on your side or upside down as easily in wings.
As to "urban legends", seems more likely that the idea a BP doesn't float you face forward would qualify. Anyone ever see a balloon basket level with the balloon? Ever read the manuafacturers warning that come with wings? I promise you, no lie, that a jacket will you easier at the surface than wings every time.
Yes i can hover on my side or upside down with a wing, its balanced for a single tank - now doubles you have larger forces playing and its not as easy to hang on your side!
It is true that jacket BC's have a little air around the front of them (which is the main reason for crushing your ribs on or under the water and preventing good breathing), but do you recall that you have lungs within your body, about 6-8L (about 10-14pints or #'s lift UW) which should be enough to hold you above water, particularly if your tank is somewhat empty - another 2# lift (AL - or of course steel might be slightly negative and actually torque you backwards) and a little air in your BC/wing, add in a little trim weight to get you neutral UW and a BP and you are good and balanced. I have never gone face down when i am vertical on the surface without having a huge lung full of air, kicking of such - no effort. I still prefer the easy chair position, more comfortable to float on the water rather than dangle down in it - kind of the reason i dive horizontally as well