Wings Vs. BCD's

[Al Mialkovsky]

Those who use wings are in a small minority but they're very vocal about them and there's no changing their minds but they'll work hard to change yours. I've elected to stick with a BCD and I'm a happy camper. I urge you to test drive whatever you think you like before buying.

 

[GreenDiverDown]

I'd be very surprised if it could actually do it.

Yah... you're probably right... I don't think that I'd want to try either.

Many of us were diving doubles and even triples long before there were BP/wings. It's not the fact it's a wing that makes a BC appropriate for doubles, but the buoyancy of the tanks and the lift capacity of the BC. There's nothing magical about wings.

Agreed... there's nothing magic about a wing. I was referring to the backplate. I believe that it provides a better connection to a set of twins and a more stable configuration overall. You've been doing this a lot longer than I and I respect your experience. However, plates are now available... and I think they work much better than a standard BC for doubles.

I have used a standard BC in this way... and I'm often around guys that still do... but it seems very sloppy to me... compared to using a plate, that is.

I suppose it's a moot point, however. The fella that ask the OP probably isn't interested in this particular advantage of a plate. There are plenty more advantages that should be more important to him.

 

[strazz]

I got certified in September and purchased an Oceanic BC, which I thought was great at the time. I've been diving about every other weekend since then. I bought a BP/W setup last week and took it diving for the first time today. It was MUCH better than my other BC and I wish I had purchased a BP/W in the first place.

 

[GreenDiverDown]

...it's certainly a heavier setup than a bcd (when using a steel backplate).

Not necessarily. My standard stainless steel plate, hog harness, STA, cambands with stainless steel buckles and an Agir wing weighs... exactly the same as my Oceanic Chute 2.

I'm pretty sure that you could easily put together a BP/wing combo that would weigh no more than the lightest BC.

 

[Walter]

That's true, there's lots of differences from one BP/wing combo to another, probably almost as many as between one vest and another. One of our members here recently switched to a much lighter BP/wing due to airline weight restrictions. She expected to make up the difference on her dives with lead, but was surprised to discover she actually used less lead. Regardless of which type of BC you choose, try to get one that is simple - no cummerbund - no padding. Those things merely make a BC more buoyant and create drag.