Why only for advanced?

[laughintom]

I started out in a Sherwood Avid and actually found all the bulk in front a little comforting. I wound up losing about 20 lbs just before a trip to Bonaire and wound up hating the way my BC moved around at my smaller size. I bought a BP and wing because I was cheap and did not want to have to buy another BC if I lost (or regained) more weight. Once I dove the backplate, I fell in love. I love the complete versatility and unencumbered feeling. It actually took a little getting used to because I would put too much air in the wing as I was used to the squeeze of my jacket BC. See if anyone in your area would let you test dive their BP. I bet plenty of BP divers still have their old BC at home as a backup. I've let a couple of my buddies try out my BP and everyone has decided they want one. We are all recreational divers with 100 or fewer dives.

 

[fire_diver]

As for the "dreaded face plant" crap....I have dove just about every style of BC and tank out there and have NEVER done a face plant or been forced face down into the water. The reason this happens to people is that the overinflate the wing, causing them to go forward a bit.
Mike Rushton

Jackets will face-plant a diver too. I did it with my jacket BC in JAN, just for fun. And the culprit is still the same, too much air in the bladder. going face down is more about diver in-experience than BC style.

FD