Wing-style BCs - novice questions

[suddha]

At a local dive shop rental sale, I saw a used Apeks wing-style BC for sale for fairly cheap. It fit me perfectly and I was tempted to buy it. It seems so much more streamlined than the jacket BCs I have been using for the past couple years.

I know tech divers love wing-style BCs. I didn't get it because I am not familiar with the characteristics of wing BCs. I know they keep you more horizontal when u/w. How does that affect surface behavior and safety stop hangs, descents, etc. Also does one need a crotch strap when using a wing BC? There seemed to be less weight pockets. Does one need to wear a belt in addition? Are the buoyancy characteristics different? Things to look for?

Thanks for any help. For background I am an Advanced Open Water diver diving wet in Great Lakes and some tropical trips when I can.

 

[foles1972]

Hi Suddha,

I use a wing-style BC (an OMS wing on an Apeks harness) and love it. I'm not a tech diver but am moving progressively towards it. A BackPlate/Wing set-up can be very comfortable underwater. You will hear some people say that they will push your face into the water when on the surface, but this happens mainly when the wing is over-inflated. So if this happens you simply vent air from the wing until you become vertical. Other than that it is very comfortable on safety stops etc. A lot of wreck/cave divers can find themselves in awkward positions while diving (head down/feet up) and this is where the crotch strap comes in. It will prevent the harness from riding up on your shoulders. As far as weights, yes, some people choose to wear belts. I dive with steel tanks and a steel back plate, so I only need a few pounds in my pockets.

If you think you may get into tech-style diving and you can get a good deal on the set-up you should consider it. I love mine!

Good luck and have fun!

 

[Doubler]

Concur with everything stated in Foles answer. I myself worried about the face down when unconsious on the surface aspect but I buddy dive and my buddy is always nearby so that fear went away. The only problem I see is that it is very difficult to roll on your back on the surface and paddle. Other than that your bouyancy will get better.

 

[firemedic8082]

I havent had a chance to try out my new bp/w set up but i have been using a back inflate and like the others have said you dont end up on your face on the surface as long as you dont max out the wing on the surface.

 

[halocline]

A lot of wreck/cave divers can find themselves in awkward positions while diving (head down/feet up) and this is where the crotch strap comes in. It will prevent the harness from riding up on your shoulders.

The crotch strap is primarily there to keep the BP/W in place while the wing is inflated on the surface. It does provide another point of contact for the harness during diving, but you notice it on the surface.

I also highly recommend a BP/W for any type of diving. I've been using one for a few years, and this past summer I needed to use a standard jacket BC for some classes while doing my DM. That really made me appreciate the BP/W.

 

[Tortuga68]

I myself worried about the face down when unconsious on the surface aspect

IMHO this is caused by incorrect trim - try some tank weights

Re: foles post, if you search OMS here, you'll find a lot of bashing related to poor customer service - nothing wrong with their gear though


To the OP: I'd never dive a BCD again - unless I had to (rental); BPW FTW!

They are better for safety stops as you should aim to maintain horizontal position during stops (so all parts of your body are at the same depth)

Buoyancy/weight required will depend on diving conditions (cold/dry suit, warm/shorty/no wetsuit etc) and BP material - SS or alloy

 

[TSandM]

To try to answer your questions:

I have heard it reported that an overinflated wing will push your head forward. However, I often have mine inflated until the OPV vents on the surface, and have never noticed this tendency. It may be more of a problem if the harness is incorrectly adjusted, or without a crotch strap.

The crotch strap DOES play its biggest role on the surface, but it also helps keep the rig stable on your back in the water. You won't notice it, even if it's fairly snug, unless you dive in nothing but a bathing suit.

As far as buoyancy characteristics goes, most BCs are a couple of pounds positive, because of the padding that's in them. You have to carry ballast to offset that, so with a BP/W, you automatically shed those pounds. In addition, a SS backplate is five or six pounds negative, so you shed that much weight on your belt as well.

You do have to provide a way of carrying your weights, which can be a weight belt, a weight harness like the DUI Weight & Trim, or pockets threaded onto the harness or cambands. A BP/W setup does not come with any kind of pockets, and a lot of us use pockets on our exposure protection instead. You can glue pockets onto a wetsuit, or use X-shorts. You can buy pockets that thread onto the harness as well.

As far as descents and safety stops go, I do them in a horizontal position.

 

[suddha]

Wow, great answers here, as usual... Thanks!

This BP/W setup had a harness on a plate/wing all integrated, and the waist belt had weight pockets on it. The fit was very comfortable. The plate was not steel, I don't think.

My concern about surface behavior is that I like to swim on my back for longer surface swims rather than face down with a snorkel. But it sounds like maybe it's not such an issue with the BP/W.

Thanks again!

 

[Jimmer]

Wow, great answers here, as usual... Thanks!

This BP/W setup had a harness on a plate/wing all integrated, and the waist belt had weight pockets on it. The fit was very comfortable. The plate was not steel, I don't think.

My concern about surface behavior is that I like to swim on my back for longer surface swims rather than face down with a snorkel. But it sounds like maybe it's not such an issue with the BP/W.

Thanks again!

I do exclusively swims on my back in Lake Erie, to and from the downline and our dive boat. I've never once had any issues with my backplate preventing me from doing a swim on my back. I think you'll find that the BP/W setup really is quite comfortable and allows a good amount of agility in the water. Not to mention holds the tanks much more securely than any jacket BC I've used.

 

[Dive Rite]

I know tech divers love wing-style BCs. I didn't get it because I am not familiar with the characteristics of wing BCs.

Hi Suddha,

Have a look at our Solution Finder, under the question 'Is a jacket BC or a harness BC right for me?' You might find the information useful as you decide on the purchase of your next BC rig.

Check out the solution Finder here: SCUBA Diving Equipment for Technical, Wreck and Cave Diving: Dive Rite, Inc - Solution Finder

Best,
Ag