What is the difference between a rear inflation BC and a BP/W setup?

[Jim Lapenta]

Not necessary to wait. there are harnesses available with quick releases for BPW set ups. Dive Rite, Hollis, and Deep Sea Supply all make them. You also have the option of adding a release or buckle to just one side of the hogarthian harness to aid in taking it off. I thought I was going to have to go this routes due to a rotator cuff injury in my right shoulder. turns out I just had the harness too tight. Loosening it up about an inch on each side allows me to just pull it down off both shoulders one at a time without sacrificing stability even with heavy doubles. If you are still in that much or a rehab issue I'd recommend an additional release and if and when you are 100% and still want to go with a full hog harness you replace 15 bucks worth of webbing not the entire rig. Very nice feature.

 

[Julian55]

Just my 2 cents, I have been a diver for 2 years now and have just purchased a new BC, Now before I did this I have spent the last 3 months researching them online for prices reviews etc. Hearing all the fuss about BP/W and how comfortable they are, I decided to rent one and try it out. Honestly I found it very uncomfortable above the water, and very difficult to get in and out of, I have a shoulder injury also and have not bought a BP/W due to the difficulty donning and doffing. I have read hundreds of posts about this on many websites and the conclusion I came to from others is: you get used to it. I personally have bought everything I have to make diving more comfortable for me, so I decided to stick with that motto and order a rear inflate BC. I wanted to get a Dive Rite Transpac or Transplate which in my opinion gives you the minimum required for a BC, no pockets etc but could not find a dealer that stocked them here in Canada so decided to go with a Zeagle Ranger. See if you can try a few different types and get what works for you, don't get something because others like it.

 

[Mayor]

I dive a BP/W and will never go back to a RIBC. The control and options are unmatched with a BP/W. If you keep diving your going to end up there anyway. Might save your self some cash and buy one now.

That said I have a perfect Oceanic Chute 3 RIBC for sale!

 

[seahorsey]

Deeply deeply heartfelt thanks to all of you for clearing this up! Especially thanks to simmondsjr, for daring to expose your dorkiness, so I didn't have to . I tried to find exactly this out for two weeks now, since an addiction-inducing dive holiday in Roatan, and just got lost in all the ad hype. You guys have confirmed all my gut feelings and saved me from being talked into a big fluffy, death-inducing BC. Plus as a proud owner of a chest shelf I can never access those damn velcro pockets underneath the girls anyway.

One more question:
" a safety sausage with whistle, not a SMB". What is a SMB, and what is the difference?

Seahorsey

 

[diver 85]

At the risk of being labeled a I just have to ask. Exactly how much difference is there between a rear inflation BC and a back plate with wings? The two seem rather similar to my, admittedly, inexperienced eye. Thanks.

Jason

Less material ie buoyant stuff on the BP/W(ie less weight needed for diving) and the BP/W being modular(ie can change size of bladder & reuse the BP & harness system).....other than that they are similar....

 

[simmonsjr]

Deeply deeply heartfelt thanks to all of you for clearing this up! Especially thanks to simmondsjr, for daring to expose your dorkiness, so I didn't have to . I tried to find exactly this out for two weeks now, since an addiction-inducing dive holiday in Roatan, and just got lost in all the ad hype. You guys have confirmed all my gut feelings and saved me from being talked into a big fluffy, death-inducing BC. Plus as a proud owner of a chest shelf I can never access those damn velcro pockets underneath the girls anyway.

One more question:
" a safety sausage with whistle, not a SMB". What is a SMB, and what is the difference?

Seahorsey

Don't mention it, it's just my chivalrous nature coming through. Never leave a lady exposed to the danger of dorkiness . I do have to say that I've never heard that particular anatomical feature referred to as a "chest shelf" before.

Anyway on to your question. SMB stands for Surface Marker Buoy. It is designed to float vertically out of the water and often, but not always, displays a "diver below" message. It's purpose is to alert any boat traffic in the area to your presence so that they don't run you over. It is most often released during a safety stop or emergency ascent (situation allowing). A safety sausage is primarily utilized on the surface to provide extra buoyancy as well as to provide rescuers with something that is brightly colored to increase the chances that they will see you should that event become necessary. If I were you I would go with the SMB because it can do double duty on the surface.

Jason

 

[fnfalman]

Thanks to all for all of the insightful comments. Here's another question. I have some pretty significant shoulder impingement issues (especially in my left shoulder) as a result of injuries sustained during my time in the military. I've heard several people mention the need to chickenwing in-order to don or doff a harness. I think that might pose a pretty substantial obstacle for me. Would it be better to go with a BI until I can rehab my shoulders? (I've been working on that for two years, and I still have a long way to go.) Thanks.

Jason

I have similar problem with my right shoulder. Can't do the chicken wing thing. So, I went with the Dive Rite Transpac and the quick adjustable harness for my soft plate rig and weight pouches (for diving warm water or fresh water where I need to adjust my weights accordingly) and the Dive Rite SS hard plate and the Transplate adjustable harness for diving California cold water ocean.

 

[Julian55]

fnfalman how is your Transplate? seems to me it gives you the best of both worlds? I wanted one but could not find a dealer.

 

[simmonsjr]

Not necessary to wait. there are harnesses available with quick releases for BPW set ups. Dive Rite, Hollis, and Deep Sea Supply all make them. You also have the option of adding a release or buckle to just one side of the hogarthian harness to aid in taking it off. I thought I was going to have to go this routes due to a rotator cuff injury in my right shoulder. turns out I just had the harness too tight. Loosening it up about an inch on each side allows me to just pull it down off both shoulders one at a time without sacrificing stability even with heavy doubles. If you are still in that much or a rehab issue I'd recommend an additional release and if and when you are 100% and still want to go with a full hog harness you replace 15 bucks worth of webbing not the entire rig. Very nice feature.

Sounds good, I'll see if I can't rustle one up and try it out.

Jason

 

[fnfalman]

fnfalman how is your Transplate? seems to me it gives you the best of both worlds? I wanted one but could not find a dealer.

In Dive Rite's parlance, the Transplate is just the adjustable harness that one would use with a hard plate (SS or aluminum). I like it because that's 6-lbs of dive weight off the belt right there and it helps with the trim (as all hard plates would be) by spreading the weight all over the back instead of concentrating around the waist.

With my current setup (7mm wetsuit, single HP100 or HP120 Faber M-series extra heavy tank), I need no dive weight when I use the Transplate setup.

With the Transpac, I have 4-lbs of trim weights attached to the BC along the flanks of my body and 4-lbs of weight in the waist pockets. The Transpac is what I use for travel when dive weight is unknown (depending on the tank type that I rent from a local LDS, exposure suit or not, fresh/salt water) because I have weight pouches on it.