Calling upon all DNY BP/W divers.......

[BettyRubble]

In my usual quest for information, I am researching BP/W designs and setups. (stop smiling Sammie!)

In particular I am curious how DNYers "setup" their rigs. Where do you attach your spare light, weight pockets (if needed), knives, sausage, etc and how do you like to use your clip off points (can light clip off here, regulator clip off there etc).

For those of you willing to take a couple of pictures of your rigs (or find some already posted that you can reuse), could you post them and point out these aspects (or whatever you find important)? I have done some research but want to see in everyday practice what you found to be the best setup for you.

Finally, could you provide some info on your specific brand/style bp/w:
1. Alum or steel backplate and if you wish you'd gone with the opposite
2. If you have a U or O wing design -- if you dove both styles, why did you choose what you did
3. Adjustability of the tank -- are you happy with the holes/connector points on the backplate to allow you to adjust tank up and down to your needs
4. How many dump valves & their locations (I prefer 2 bottom rear dump valves as I don't use the shoulder mounted inflator/dump valve often)
5. Any additional constructive comments - I do not want to encourage a brand war or debate on the superiority of one setup over another. Just facts please.

I posted this request specifically in the DNY forum because by and large this group offers solid advice without the typical bickering we see in the 'big pool'. I have grown as diver because of DNY. Thank you for your help!!!

[Cave Diver]

In particular I am curious how DNYers "setup" their rigs. Where do you attach your spare light, weight pockets (if needed), knives, sausage, etc and how do you like to use your clip off points (can light clip off here, regulator clip off there etc).

Spare lights - clipped off on chest d-ring(s) and secured to harness with innertube so they stay streamlined.
Weight pockets - never needed. With double steels, I don't need any weight. In singles, I dive with steel backplate and steel single tank adapter. If I did need weight for singles, I'd probably use a channel weight.

For those of you willing to take a couple of pictures of your rigs (or find some already posted that you can reuse), could you post them and point out these aspects (or whatever you find important)? I have done some research but want to see in everyday practice what you found to be the best setup for you.

I'll see what I can find. (or wait til someone else posts one and say "Yeah, that's it!")

Finally, could you provide some info on your specific brand/style bp/w:
1. Alum or steel backplate and if you wish you'd gone with the opposite

I have both AL and Steel and about 3 different brands. I use them for different reasons, but Halcyon Steel is the one I most commonly use and the one I'd choose if I had to pick just one.

2. If you have a U or O wing design -- if you dove both styles, why did you choose what you did

U style. O wasn't commonly found when I started using BPW and haven't found a compelling reason to spend more $$ to switch. I think that properly sizing your wing to your needs is much more important than the shape of it.

3. Adjustability of the tank -- are you happy with the holes/connector points on the backplate to allow you to adjust tank up and down to your needs

Major adjustment is done with the holes, fine adjustment with tank bands. On doubles, these are the steel bands, on singles its the cam bands on the single tank adapters or on some BPW the straps are integrated with roll control wings. Single adjustment on BPW is really no different than a regular BCD, but doubles does take a bit of tuning, but once you get it figured out it's set.

4. How many dump valves & their locations (I prefer 2 bottom rear dump valves as I don't use the shoulder mounted inflator/dump valve often)

Shoulder mount - non pull valve, vents through inflator hose button. Butt mount - pull string located by left hip, no knob.

5. Any additional constructive comments - I do not want to encourage a brand war or debate on the superiority of one setup over another. Just facts please.

Almost all of them will do an adequate job. You may find a few features or ergonomics of some are more to your liking than others. Going with some of the major brands like DSS, Dive Rite or Halcyon it's hard to go wrong. Consider looking for good used gear if you want to save a few $$. I prefer stiffer webbing vs. softer. Once you get your basic setup, get used to how it feels and where it needs to be adjusted before you start placing all your clips and d-rings and other gear. I prefer to have my shoulder straps a bit looser to easily get in and out of harness, and keep everything snug by cinching my waist strap tight.

I posted this request specifically in the DNY forum because by and large this group offers solid advice without the typical bickering we see in the 'big pool'. I have grown as diver because of DNY. Thank you for your help!!!

[HenrikBP]

MuuhahahahahahahahahahahahaHAAAAAH ... we've got you now my pretty

Where do you attach your spare light, weight pockets (if needed), knives, sausage, etc and how do you like to use your clip off points (can light clip off here, regulator clip off there etc).

For those of you willing to take a couple of pictures of your rigs ...

This is exactly how I set up my rig, as taught to me by Bob Sherwood:

Equipment Images

I know lots have been argued here on SB about the benefits and downsides of any particular choice in that regard. But this way of setting up everything was developed and refined through years of diving, thinking and testing by divers with far greater insight and experience than I'll *ever* have. Plus, there are good reasons for every single choice in this setup, that I can understand and appreciate. So that's what I'm sticking with.

Where do you attach your spare light, weight pockets (if needed), knives, sausage, etc and how do you like to use your clip off points (can light clip off here, regulator clip off there etc).

I don't use weight pockets, but add weight to the backplate in the form of V-weight, tail weight and a weight sausage (if needed) that goes in the channel in the backplate. Knife goes on the waist strap to the left of the buckle, which in turn is biased a bit to my right. Small SMB and spool goes in my suit pocket - I glued pockets on my wetsuit as well. The big SMB goes in the back pouch between me and the plate - this requires a plate with enough "bend" to allow that.

Clip off points are like the pictures above. I use 45° bend D-rings on both shoulder straps and on my left hip for clipping SPG and bottles. This helps keep the D-ring in position for easier clipping. The hip D-ring is installed so the bend helps keep "Stand up" when I clip from front to rear.

I use the small 3/8" #00 for back-up lights, can light head, primary regulator. The standard 3/8" are too big for me to easily reach and activate the gate. They'll seem tiny at first but really is a help once you get used to them. I pretty much only use 4 3/4" double-enders now.

Finally, could you provide some info on your specific brand/style bp/w:
1. Alum or steel backplate and if you wish you'd gone with the opposite

I own a Halcyon SS plate with the cinch system, but without all the padding. I have a back pouch on that plate. That's the plate I use for all my doubles diving. I like the cinch system, and like the deeper bend in the plate, which allows me to store stuff behind my back.


I have an DSS SS plate that I used to use for all my singles diving. DSS build a very nice system, and if you stick with his wings and plates, it is very easy to assemble/disassemble. And the SS weight plates - which only fit DSS plates - are nice for adding weight for diving dry. The plastic inserts in the plate slots on the DSS plates work great for keeping webbing in place without using "keepers". The DSS plates have a flatter bend, and when used with their wings, do not require an STA. All of which brings the tank closer to your back for potentially more stability. One quirk is that the inflator hose is mounted in the center of their singles wing. Not that I think it really is an issue, but that always "bugged" me about the design. I don't believe it makes a difference in use.

I also have a tiny aluminum plate for warm water singles diving, which is the closest to "no rig" feeling I've gotten.

2. If you have a U or O wing design -- if you dove both styles, why did you choose what you did

I only have "donut" shaped wings. I've heard pros and cons, but you'll learn to dive what you have. I like that I can move gas from side to side even if I'm a bit "butt up". But again, I doubt it makes much, if any, difference in real life.

3. Adjustability of the tank -- are you happy with the holes/connector points on the backplate to allow you to adjust tank up and down to your needs

John covered that - I think you'll need less adjustment than you think. If you get a plate that fits your (midget ) size, I think you should be ok. There really is not a whole lot of placement "range" for tanks. You *must* be able to reach your valves, and you want them low enough that you can get your head back to achieve good trim. That's a pretty small "window".

4. How many dump valves & their locations (I prefer 2 bottom rear dump valves as I don't use the shoulder mounted inflator/dump valve often)

Non-pull inflator hose over left shoulder - short enough to not get in the way. One butt dump valve on the left side. Some brand wings put those in really odd positions making it *very* difficult to 1) reach and 2) properly dump gas.

5. Any additional constructive comments - I do not want to encourage a brand war or debate on the superiority of one setup over another. Just facts please.

Well, the above summarizes my brand choices. I found - for me - that other brands were close, but none provided the "whole package" that I was looking for.

Happy to provide more infor/opinions if needed

Welcome to the Dark Side ...

Henrik

[drydiver]

The only additional thought I have is that I have tried both U and O wings and prefer O, sometimes we may not always find ourselves in the most advantageous positioning for moving gas. Add a turn or perhaps other unplanned move to a head down descent and you are out of balance until you are head up again. Mostly this would apply to smaller areas in a wreck or cave. I however, was in neither when I discovered this limitation

Although if properly weighted and not a big hot mess, U is fine for most divers in most situations. Personally, it did not take me long to figure out that I wanted 2 options to move air, regardless of what position I found myself in.... my O wing sort of naturally equalizes with minimal effort or at the very least does not surprise me with off balance air pockets...

I can hear ya now "I like options, options are good..."

ps - offer to try my Oxy wing stands

[scc135]

Using a Halcyon steel BP with 30lb lift O bladder. Pretty standard DIR config but I use weight pockets on the cam band, 2 on the upper and 2 on the lower to give myself the ability to play with trim. Since I got my gear used, it didn't have the center weight that fits between the STA and the plate, hence the pockets. I do sometimes clip my gauge on my left chest D-ring since it's easier to read by just looking down. Haven't heard of a reason to not do it, unless someone can shine some info on that.

[Mayor]

Spend an hour with Bob Sherwood reviewing gear choices and set up.

[drydiver]

Spend an hour with Bob Sherwood reviewing gear choices and set up.

Jim, I think she was looking for personal experiences without specific philosophical recommendations...

which btw, she is well aware of the philosophies of posters here

[HenrikBP]

Using a Halcyon steel BP with 30lb lift O bladder. Pretty standard DIR config but I use weight pockets on the cam band, 2 on the upper and 2 on the lower to give myself the ability to play with trim. Since I got my gear used, it didn't have the center weight that fits between the STA and the plate, hence the pockets. I do sometimes clip my gauge on my left chest D-ring since it's easier to read by just looking down. Haven't heard of a reason to not do it, unless someone can shine some info on that.

I use cam band pockets as well. Great for playing with weight distribution for good trim.

Clipping to the chest Dring could potentially catch your long hose causing an issue when donating. Also, if you subscribe to "practice like you play", the left chest Dring is for clipping deco bottles, so clipping your gauge there would get crowded. Plus you dont get the practice for clipping off at your hip Dring.

Henrik

[noreastDIVER84]

Well I will put in my thoughts in on how my BP/W is setup. I use it for hunting and occasional time in the quarry with classes. I have weight pockets on both the top and bottom cam bands tucked all the way in closest to the backplate. I use a Dive Rite aluminum plate and a Dive Rite STA, and a basic harness with no padding. When I am hunting I usually have nothing on me other than a knife on my leg, a line cutter in my drysuit pocket, and a speargun. I have an air integrated computer (datamask) and use a button gauge on a hose routed in with my inflator as a backup. The wing is an Oxycheck donut wing with 45 pounds of lift. I usually dont need to touch my inflator or dump valves on this setup so I have no preference.

I dont dive "the system" and I spend most of my time under water diving sidemount using a different rig so I have that as my primary setup.

[parzdiver]

I have gone to two separate BP/W configurations for double and singles. For doubles I have the Halcyon SS plate with the Cinch system. I have the 60lbs Halcyon (donut) wing. With double Steel 100's I don't have any additional weight needs.

I originally used the same plate for singles, using the Halcyon 40lbs (donut) single wing and the STA. The Halcyon wing doesn't have holes for cam straps. I have since switched to the Hollis backplate and 25lbs donut wing. The wing has built-in stabilizers, so I can use it without the CAM strap, no STA needed. I got a good deal which was one reason I went with that brand. Streamlining for travel was my purpose with the smaller wing and not using an STA.

I use the Halcyon weight pockets on my single tank rig. They don't hold a lot of weight, but I don't need much with the steal backplate.

Cathy's rig is a hybrid. She has a Zeagle backplate with Zeagle weight pockets (they attach to the plate), and then the 30lb Oxycheq wing (in purple). If you want something other than black, Oxy has a great range of choices. It is also a very nice wing.

I do like the design on the DSS plate and single wing that make it very easy to remove the wing from the plate for drying and travel.