H2Andy
Contributor
bp/wings:
simple, for everyone, easy to use, less filling
simple, for everyone, easy to use, less filling
Why only for advanced?
- Thread starter jk47
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The Kraken
He Who Glows in the Dark Waters (ADVISOR)
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The short and straight of it is that a B/C is nothing more than a bag that holds air and is strapped to your body.
They all do the same thing.
Now can someone tell you, based upon empirical data, that the $400 blivet holds air better than the $100 blivet?
Perhaps because it has a certain name it can, but I'm not so sure about that.
Blivets and bands.
the K
They all do the same thing.
Now can someone tell you, based upon empirical data, that the $400 blivet holds air better than the $100 blivet?
Perhaps because it has a certain name it can, but I'm not so sure about that.
Blivets and bands.
the K
scubamikey
Contributor
I'm in the same situation as you, you should go check out the thread I started recently "Should a bp/w be my first BC?". It's 7 pages long and helped me a lot. People posted links to other sites, you should look at them also. The NJ scuba diver site had a lot of reading but I found it very worthwhile.
Fred R.
Contributor
I'm with Al on this one. I learned on a BP/W, don't like them. Thousands of dives of experience and I think a properly fitting jacket is a better choice for open water. Especially for a petite woman. Unlike rentals, women's BC's are made with a shorter waist.
Look at the Sea Quest Diva, or the Diva LX if you need LOTS of lift.
We also like the Sherwood Luna.
Remember two important things,
For some reason BC makers cannot size women. So, if you think you are a Medium, you need to buy an XS. Many of the problems women complain about are related to fit.
Second, when putting on your BC, the cummerbund goes tight to the belly. The clip strap should hang loosely in front of you. The second clip is supposed to hold the bladder under your arms when inflated. If you tighten the secondary clip, the air cannot expand the vest, it HAS to squeeze you.
Hope this helps and Happy Diving!!!!
Look at the Sea Quest Diva, or the Diva LX if you need LOTS of lift.
We also like the Sherwood Luna.
Remember two important things,
For some reason BC makers cannot size women. So, if you think you are a Medium, you need to buy an XS. Many of the problems women complain about are related to fit.
Second, when putting on your BC, the cummerbund goes tight to the belly. The clip strap should hang loosely in front of you. The second clip is supposed to hold the bladder under your arms when inflated. If you tighten the secondary clip, the air cannot expand the vest, it HAS to squeeze you.
Hope this helps and Happy Diving!!!!
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What "we" ... Fred?Fred R.:
FWIW - my ex-wife (and still favorite dive buddy) used to dive a SeaQuest Diva LX ... it's been hanging in my garage since the day she tried a backplate/harness, which is all she wants to dive anymore.
FWIW2 - she's purely a recreational diver, does not dive a long hose, will never give up her split fins, and isn't the least bit interested in diving technical. She said she just likes the way the backplate fits and feels.
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
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Care to elaborate ???drtheo:
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
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Quarrior:
Or you can quit leaning forward and looking at the water. Just lean back and relax and quit believing the "pushes your face in the water" B as in B S as in S.
It ain't that hard.
Good point, guess I'm going to have to go back to Maui and take those pictures in my gallery in a regular BC since I cound't take them in the BP/W I was using.NWGratefulDiver:
Oh yea, forgot about having to have that nice comfy squeeze. Now there's something to look forward to.
ScubaMike14
Contributor
You may want to check out the Zeagle line of BC's. There is NO squeeze as all thier BC's are back inflated, with a wing providing the bouyancy, similar to the BP/W concept, however there is no hard backplate.
They make several that are great for recreational dving, and others that are great for tech diving. They also make one of THE BEST womens BC's on the market, the Zena.
Fred R. makes a very important point in that the thing MUST fit properly, not only to be comfortable, but to work as it was designed.
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
They make several that are great for recreational dving, and others that are great for tech diving. They also make one of THE BEST womens BC's on the market, the Zena.
Fred R. makes a very important point in that the thing MUST fit properly, not only to be comfortable, but to work as it was designed.
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
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