Hey scuba127 I've got a question for you?
What method did you use to don and doff your rig in the pool?
Chicken wing or raise your arms and drop under or (swim into for donning)?
Would you still be able to safely do it if your surfaced and found yourself in a heavy chop?
Remember that being pushed about in chop the chicken wing will be significantly more difficult and the arm raised duck under is a good way to get knocked out.
This is why many divers believe in having at least one shoulder release. It allows you to stay on the surface slide out of your gear sideways and maintain a grip and control of your rig.
It isn't a worry if you are confident you can chicken wing in rough water but in real life surface conditions can change rapidly and with little warning.
Tobin,
Even anecdotes deserve some attention when they make sense and fit the physics of the situation.
There are plenty of other manufacturers of dive gear that have been at it for as many or more years than you. This doesn't tell me whether you or they are better suited to suggest gear to me or anyone else. It is just an anecdote about your sales and if based on that I'd go with those that have higher sales numbers. Fortunately I understand that advise has to fit the situation and make sense. My prior post may apply to many looking at a BP&W even thought it differs from your advise and you do have more experience it may be a better fit for the situation and I expect those that realize it makes sense will take it over your advise.
What method did you use to don and doff your rig in the pool?
Chicken wing or raise your arms and drop under or (swim into for donning)?
Would you still be able to safely do it if your surfaced and found yourself in a heavy chop?
Remember that being pushed about in chop the chicken wing will be significantly more difficult and the arm raised duck under is a good way to get knocked out.
This is why many divers believe in having at least one shoulder release. It allows you to stay on the surface slide out of your gear sideways and maintain a grip and control of your rig.
It isn't a worry if you are confident you can chicken wing in rough water but in real life surface conditions can change rapidly and with little warning.
Tobin,
Even anecdotes deserve some attention when they make sense and fit the physics of the situation.
There are plenty of other manufacturers of dive gear that have been at it for as many or more years than you. This doesn't tell me whether you or they are better suited to suggest gear to me or anyone else. It is just an anecdote about your sales and if based on that I'd go with those that have higher sales numbers. Fortunately I understand that advise has to fit the situation and make sense. My prior post may apply to many looking at a BP&W even thought it differs from your advise and you do have more experience it may be a better fit for the situation and I expect those that realize it makes sense will take it over your advise.