Working as DM, backplate?

[AndyMoreno]

I'll be working as DM/AI in tropical waters, probably using a 3mm shortie (I've already got some built-in insulation...).

Since DM’ing includes students, and showing these students how to don BC’s and swimming around on the surface… Would it be really clever to have a bp and wing? Should I get the Transpac just to be able to have some normal BC features like plastic crap snaps?

In the case of a bp, since we’re talking warm saltwater here, should I get the AL or SS one? I saw Koplin had a SS travel bp, comments on that one? I would only be diving AL singles and I don’t need a lot of weights anyway. I’ll probably be travelling around a bit also, having a SS bp in my backpack doesn’t sound all that interesting…

So, basicly, diving 3-4 dives a day, tropical DM style, do I really want a bp? I’m really keen on a backinflated system though, Transpac II or bp?

Thanks,
/A

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But I'm tryin', Ringo. I'm tryin'
real hard to be the shepherd.
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moreno@dosop.com
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[Wendy]

I don't see anything wrong with you wearing whatever gear you want. If anything you might even turn your divers on to the idea of the bp set up. I am in a DM class and both me and the instructor wear bp's and single tank wings. Even the ow student we had wore this setup for his last day of diving. And dive with the Al bp with a shorty and its fine. I do wear about 8 lbs of weight on a belt.

 

[TexasMike]

It can depend on the shop/instructor as to which BC system the DM's can use. Some shops will insist on the top end Back Inflate BC's if they are not selling BP/Wing systems (or not up to speed on them). Others might stick to their guns on a vest style BC.

The instructor I am working with to get my DM credentials is also my TDI instructor, so he is very much into BP/Wings. And he does allow us to use our tech BC's during o/w classes (but we must have our regs setup as recreational since long hose configs might blow a fuse in the already overloaded minds of the students).

However, this instructor also uses an older US Divers vest BC so he can be similar to the students. Also, since the investment in this BC is less, he is more comfortable diving in the chlorinated pools with this BC than his expensive tech rigs.

I am thinking of doing the same (using a less expensive BC for pool, first few lake dives work) but when class is over, and it's time for the students fun dives, switching to my "real" BC.

 

[roakey]

petzl,

To answer your AL vs SS backplate question, how much weight do you wear in your current DM configuration (normal BC) in the conditions that you'll be DMing in?

Roak