bp/w for 12 year old new diver?

[Krafcheck]

trying to decide between traditional bc or bp/w for my daughter well assuming she does not make cheerleading squad then that money will go towards that. she is taking the course now and checkout dives are first weekend of march and tryouts for cheerleading is the weekend before. so until then anyone have any bad exerience with bp/w for new young diver? she has never seen a bp/w setup for singles and she has used the seaquest perl bc in the pool.

thanks

[TSandM]

We have put a couple of teenaged students into backplates for their OW classes with no issues. If your daughter is small-framed, you might want to purchase a setup that offers a size small backplate, like Deep Sea Supply.

[Rhone Man]

I had exactly the same dilemma with my 10 year old. In the end I went from traditional BCD on the basis of cost, although I would have preferred to put him in a BP/W. Sinking nearly $500 into one bit of gear not knowing if he was going to keep it up was just a little too rich for my blood.

[Fishpie]

The other issue with smaller divers using plates is the height of the top of the plate when mounted on the tank is not high enough to allow the reg not to hit the back of the head.

I have been teaching middle school kids for 10 years using BP&W's and the best plate for the sub 5' diver is the Deep Sea Supply because their mounting system allows the plate to be mounted higher on the tank.
2nd best is the Dive Rite plate with the shoulder straps crossed.

I've never needed to get anything smaller than a DSS Medium plate.
If they're over 5' 4" anything fits.
.....don't go overboard on wing size. I usually use the 17lb DSS (when the welds don't leak..sorry Tobin, just had to get that one in) or 18lb Oxycheq.

[a22shady]

Get a small Backplate/Wing combo it will be great. There was another memeber on another board who did this. Also people that Own the LDS I use have there Kids in one (Halcyon) and looks great.

Here is the Link to the thread where the pics came from as well as some info on the unit.

http://thedecostop.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42316

http://brockbr.com/pics/indyharness1.jpg

http://brockbr.com/pics/indyharness2.jpg

[fjpatrum]

I would think it'd be much easier to find a BP/W that will grow with her and save money in the long run than buying a jacket that she will most likely outgrow. Most of the kids BCs I've seen are at least 300 and you can find some BP/W configs that are close to that for certain.

Hell, get the Express Tech and you're even cheaper and have a nice hybrid style thing that will work really well.

[c5diver]

have you looked at a zeagle ranger jr. it has the personal fit system to grow with them.

http://www.zeagleexpress.com/gear/BCDS/Zeagle%20BCDs/Ranger%20Jr.html

[vinegarbiscuit]

Get a small Backplate/Wing combo it will be great. There was another memeber on another board who did this. Also people that Own the LDS I use have there Kids in one (Halcyon) and looks great.

Here is the Link to the thread where the pics came from as well as some info on the unit.

The Deco Stop (http://thedecostop.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42316)

http://brockbr.com/pics/indyharness1.jpg

http://brockbr.com/pics/indyharness2.jpg

I remember falling in love with that set-up the second I saw it on decostop (thanks for posting, a22shady...as soon as I saw the title of this thread, I was about to go hunting for it myself!). One simply can't go wrong...let out the webbing as the young diver grows taller and broader (heck, replace it for a few dollars, if it ever comes to that...just hang onto the D-rings and keepers), and maybe get a longer plate if the diver grows significantly taller. (As a 37-year old woman, though, I'm fine with a DSS small plate, but only because I'm quite short.) The wing can be used for as long as it holds out: in fact, I use the same one that's in the picture for recreational diving, and I like it very much. There are a few other firms that make small wings, so you have the luxury of choice there.

Only thing you'll have to worry about are buying bigger pairs of bootees and fins, but hey, you can't win 'em all!

[gbf]

I put my petite 12 y.o. daughter in a DSS small plate and torus 17. She did the certs in a jacket, and did a couple of trips to Bon in rental stuff, and it just never fit her properly.

She said it was like going from an overcoat to a bikini when we got her new stuff. She loves it.

She's now a 19 yo young lady, with all the associated womanly attributes. We've adjusted the harness a bit over the years, but she's diving the same gear.

She has an interest in cave training. When she's ready she can get her(self) a new wing, appropriate some of my stuff and she's in business.

Call Tobin at DSS. He'll hook you up with some of the finest gear going at a good price, and only with what you need.

[halocline]

I think its great that someone cares enough about their kid to protect her from the horror of the jacket BC. Now that's quality parenting!

[davetowz]

LOL! I am thinking the same for my daughter who wants to start diving.

[mselenaous]

BP/W is ideal for kids, because unlike jacket BC's, they won't really outgrow it between ages 10 and adulthood. The most you might need to replace might be the webbing vs going from traditional BCs sized XS to SM to Med etc. in a few years at several hundred dollars each time. With the streamlined design, the Jr divers don't feel as overwhelmed from dealing with ill fitting gear.
Check out a Zeagle Express Tech, a soft plate version of BP/W, light weight for travel and very reasonably priced.

[couv]

trying to decide between traditional bc or bp/w for my daughter well assuming she does not make cheerleading squad then that money will go towards that. she is taking the course now and checkout dives are first weekend of march and tryouts for cheerleading is the weekend before. so until then anyone have any bad exerience with bp/w for new young diver? she has never seen a bp/w setup for singles and she has used the seaquest perl bc in the pool.

thanks

Yes, there is a downside.

If you first buy them a jacket BC, then let them "try" your BP/W, you won't be able to get them to go back into their own gear. I haven't actually let my kids use my BP/W, but I have let them try an "old school" backpack with no BC in the pool. Now, I'm stuck with a couple of kids poodle jackets. I'll have to come up with a method of attaching a back floatation device to the backpack or I'll be looking for a hiding place for my new Freedom Plate & Mach V wing.

If you're buying new, you'll find in the long run that a BP&W is less expensive, more versatile, and a system that will grow with her.

[Ragnar]

We have put a couple of teenaged students into backplates for their OW classes with no issues. If your daughter is small-framed, you might want to purchase a setup that offers a size small backplate, like Deep Sea Supply.

I've been using one of their Kydex plates and totally love it! May be something to look into as I'd imagine it may be easy as a kid to get quickly over weighted.

[Krafcheck]

I talked with Tobin for about 20 minutes yesterday and he gave me his thoughts and i think he was/is spot on. my wife is apprehensive about the bp/w. My daughter has used the seaquest pearl in the pool and loves it then she had to use the normal rental bc and hates it. wife wants to get something she is comfortable in so she will enjoy diving more but that dang bc is over 500 bucks. so time will tell who wins out. I think wants my daughter sees the pink oxycheq wing with pink webbing she will be sold regardless.

[Ragnar]

Tobin told you to buy a wing from Patrick?.........now I've heard everything!:D

[a22shady]

Tobin/DSS Seems to make a Great Product equal to about anything out have not really heard anything bad or negative about his products. I myself have not tried one I got great deal on BP/W from my LDS which sold Halcyon so made life easy.

Most likely once my daughter is old enough to dive That is more than likely what she will be diving in. Luckilly when we bought our systems We got the Doubles wing for an extra 100.00 which is a great deal and now my G/F is diving doubles so only thing needed is a Plate.

I am sure once you give it to her and she get in the water with it she will like a lot. You yourself dive one so i am sure you can compare diffences.

[Krafcheck]

something will have to be pink. as long as it has pink lettering or something like the seaquest pearl, the oxycheq wing, or just pink webbing maybe ill just get her a dive knife sheath in pink. i think DSS makes a more durable product but what ever is chosen price will be the ultimate factor. i hope she is fine with a black wing if thats what we get so i can use it from time to time. im defintely shopping around i have been in contact with tobin, edd from caveadventures, and monday we are supposed to talk with the "mann" at the LDS. now if the prices are all comparable i will go with what i think is better long term. Honestly unless she fits in a medium BC that will not be a long term investment to make. Although i still have two kids yet to be of age to dive so maybe it will a long term investment. Good thing i have two weeks to decide.

[eelpout]

3 years ago my nine year old daughter wanted to learn how to scuba dive. She was just shy of 3 months to turn 10 so I looked around for a BP/wing for her. DSS and Tobin came to the rescue. My daughter has a Kydex backplate and a 27# wing. I don't think there was model number on the wintg back then. Back then my daughter was 4 foot 6 inches. Today she is 5 foot 4 inches and still dives the same plate and wing. She does wear a weight belt when she dives and she prefers it over weight pockets.

She is 12 years old and she wants to go back to Cozumel asap. Most of her diving has been with a 3mm suit, so she would use 8# of lead in salt water. The nice thing about her growing up, is she can use an AL 80 now.

Jim

[couv]

[QUOTE=Krafcheck;5731534]something will have to be pink......QUOTE]

How about pink webbing?

Webbing, Tubing & Cordage - Webbing - 2'' Stiff Webbing - 2'' Stiff Webbing - Pink - Northeast Scuba Supply (http://northeastscubasupply.com/store/webbing-tubing-cordage/webbing/2-39-39-stiff-webbing/2-39-39-stiff-webbing-pink/prod_2097.html)

[cgvmer]

I was able to equip my then 11yo daughter and 14 yo son with DiveRite Transpac harness and my 17yo son I found a halycon BP/W all this was used and in great condition. What you pay for one set new I was able to pick up all 3.

[Krafcheck]

thanks for all the replies. my wife just called and she just bought her gear at the LDS.
Seaquest Pearl bc Pink
aqualung mickron requlator pink
and some computer that i am not all thrilled about
oh well a weeks worth of emails, googling, and phone calls done the tube. but hey we supported our lds. thanks everyone

[fisheater]

thanks for all the replies. my wife just called and she just bought her gear at the LDS.
Seaquest Pearl bc Pink
aqualung mickron requlator pink
and some computer that i am not all thrilled about
oh well a weeks worth of emails, googling, and phone calls done the tube. but hey we supported our lds. thanks everyone

Looks like you should have shown her the pink BP/Ws.