Question about BP/W for recreational diving

[annlaur]

Not sure if I should post here or in the gear forum, but since I'm still a newb...

I've been reading A LOT here on SB about backplates & wings and was seriously considering buying one.

Main reason for my decision was the fact that they are adjustable to the diver's size (I tend to lose and gain weight and when I'm on the skinny side, the rental BCDs always end up too big for me and the tank swings sideways which is a PITA. And I don't want to invest in something that may not fit me on my next trip).
Also, I'm a backpacker sort of traveller, so I love the fact that the BP and wing can be dismounted and therefore take up less space in my bag.

However, on my last trip to Egypt, I talked to an instructor who was doing both rec and tech dives and told him how I thought about getting a BP/W set up, but he talked me out of it. His point was that the back inflate makes you dive horizontally, which, while good on tech dives and for trim, is not optimal for "visiting" the reefs, as diving at a 45 degree angle allows for a better, fuller view of the scenery.
And that, while the head up, 45 degree position, can be achieved with a BP/W, it requires more effort.

Is this true ? Have those of you who have switched from a regular BCD to a BP noticed it's harder to stay in an UW position that is not lying horizontally face down ?

Unfortunately, I don't have a way of trying a back inflate BCD before I decide if I want one or not (no diving friends and the local stores don't rent them), so I hope to find answers here.

Thanks in advance.
FYI, before anyone asks, I don't plan on diving doubles or doing tech or cave stuff. I would love to go into UW photography but I'm not quite there yet.
Just looking for a BCD that's easy to travel with and will fit me perfectly all the time.

[JeffG]

Is this true ?

No...

[fnfalman]

Where the hell did this "divemaster" get his training?

I dive recreationally with a backplate/wing. I don't have any problem with looking at reefs and sceneries. It's asinine to swim at 45-degree angle. You end up doing ascensions and having to keep inflating and deflating your BC. I guess if one were a once-a-year vacation diver who doesn't care much about the act of diving other than getting underwater and look about a few times, then it doesn't matter much how one swims underwater.

[rstofer]

Think of it this way: if the fact that the wing was behind you was the problem, none of the back-inflate BCs would work either. If we follow this logic down a rat hole, we get to the point where only jacket BCs make sense.

You don't have to use a SS plate and you certainly don't have to use a highly negative tank. But even with these, the wing buoyancy can still make positioning in the water quite natural.

Here are divers with heavy doubles and they are able to orient themselves quite well: YouTube - GUE Fundamentals

Note how full their wings are! Those are some highly negative tanks.

Richard

[JeffG]

Where the hell did this "divemaster" get his training?

I dive recreationally with a backplate/wing. I don't have any problem with looking at reefs and sceneries. It's asinine to swim at 45-degree angle. You end up doing ascensions and having to keep inflating and deflating your BC. I guess if one were a once-a-year vacation diver who doesn't care much about the act of diving other than getting underwater and look about a few times, then it doesn't matter much how one swims underwater.

Well, sometimes its not about swimming at a 45 deg angle. Its about being about to hold a position at a 45 deg angle. (or greater)

Makes it easier to look around.

A diver should be able to do that in any BCD.

[Indian Valley Scuba]

We train with and use backplate/wing systems all the time, even in open water entry level classes, and about 90% of our instructors, including myself, use them exclusively. With a proper setup, neutral bouyancy in any position should not be an issue, and by choosing a stainless steel backplate you often eliminate the need for any additional weights to be carried. For single tank recreational diving, I would recommend a wing in the 30# lift range, and a donut shape for sure (versus a horseshoe style). This allows you to transfer air from left to right both across your shoulders if you are angled upwards, or across your butt if your head is pointing down. The key is to wear the minimum amount of weight, therefor you have the least of air in your BC, making it easier to manage the bubble, so to speak.

Hope this helps!

[maged_mmh]

Salut AL;
OxyCheq Light BP & wing setup

[diver 85]

No...

agree......BI is the way to go.....My 1st 900+ dives were with a "regular BCD"....last 200+ with a BI, & diving my BP/W for the 1st time this Saturday....

[themagni]

I have had no problems with a NBP/W (The N is for "No" - I didn't buy the plate.) I used a jacket style when I learned to dive and upgraded to a rear-inflating BC. I upgraded to a WTX-4 wing & harness last fall.

I noticed a significant increase in my control when using the wing compared to using the rear-inflate. I can orient myself in any position without any trouble whatsoever. I can swim sideways, upside down, and trim out rather nicely. The only problem I have with the system is that it's tricky at best to get more than about 20 pounds of lead on it. The SS backplate costs $165 and adds 5 pounds.

I dive in a drysuit, which means I can't move my neck very much when looking at stuff. I haven't had any problems admiring the scenery on dives.

I have never dived doubles.

I have never had a problem with getting dunked at the surface - in fact, I tend to swim backstroke and the wing does not interfere. (More accurately, I lie back and kick with my fins.)

If I lost all my gear and had to buy it over again, I would get the same setup. (I might get a smaller bladder - I weighed more and used more lead at the time I bought it.)

If you look at my dive count, you'll note that I am a casual recreational diver.

[Teamcasa]

Common question, stock answers will soon follow. Most will be nice and direct while others will be not so informative. Here is mine.

BP/W is a BCD. It is just a different style. Because the wing/air bladder is on your back some will say that it tends to push you face down on the surface. I have not found this to be true whatsoever. Once you have your ballast distributed properly, the face down feeling goes away.

As for a diving position being better at an angle other than horizontal, that is simply not correct. Once you have your buoyancy perfected, moving into any position for better reef viewing is a simple matter.

A BP/W with a harness system or HOG harness will help in gaining control over your trim and buoyancy much easier. IMHO