Killer Bungee- Myth or Fact

[NorthWoodsDiver]

I got into a discussion with 2 fellow divers and one of our LDS' who also happens to dive with us. The discussion was about wings with bungees. Everyone on here that I have heard from bashes the use of bungees on a wing and I understood the reasons until I took a close look at a dive rite wing.

I always thought that people didn't like the bungees because they created another snag hazard and I have also heard they can trap air in sections of the wing preventing the air from being dumped easily.

But we got into this discussion because the dive rite wings only have bungees on the bottom side so they are well hidden even if the wing is completely inflated. The people I was with argue that that makes dive rite wings and other similar wings safer than ordinary bungee wings and more user friendly and compact then unbungeed wings for obvious reasons.

I just wanted to find out what other people think on that specific use of bungees. I do not intend to buy or use a bungee wing ever I am just curious. Thanks

 

[RICHinNC]

This ought to be good.

I have no doubt that on this board will find those that hate them fanatically and those that love them and neither really have any real proof to support one view or the other.

Then, you will find those here that have had ACTUAL EXPERIENCE with bungees (in this case) and some will be positive and some will be negative.

I dive the DR Rec wing which is a bungeed wing. I have been in wrecks, over wrecks, around wrecks and many other things where I could have possibly gotten entangled but never did. I like the wing and there are those that dont. I have never had any more problem venting than when I used my vest style BC.

If it works for you and has no real scientific evidence of killing people, then formulate your own opinion based on your experience and not the anecdotal stories from others......me included.

(After re-reading this....pls dont take it inappropriately....no sarcasm intended)

 

[Nick_W]

I have bungees and I'm not dead. Myth busted.









Wait, is that trademarked? Can I say that?

 

[NorthWoodsDiver]

I already have my opinions and already dont use them I just wanted something conclusive that proves something positive or negative regarding the wings with bungees all the way around vs the wings with bungees only on the plate side (like dive rite). Thanks

 

[Scubakevdm]

I guess it really boils down to a risk vs. benefit analysis.

 

[Cave Diver]

One arguement against some of the earlier bungied wings was difficulty in orally inflating them at depth if the need ever arose for it.

There was also the whole debate over streamlining and picking the right wing for the dive vs. using a "one size fits all once you install bungies" approach.

BTW, I've used wings both with and without bungies and personally preferred them with bungies removed.

 

[Nick_W]

Here's retractable bands (bungees) vs. no retractable bands:

OMS BC FAQ http://www.OMSdive.com

The highlights:

# OMS Retractable band BC's are easy to orally inflate *1
# OMS Retractable band BC's assist in deflation *2
# OMS Retractable Band BC's decrease drag when deflated *3
# OMS Retractable Band BC's reduce the massive airshift associated with large non-banded BC's that occur when changing body plane. *4
# OMS Retractable Band BC's have trim adjustability. That is by removing selected bands, differentially inflated parts of the BC can compensate for uneven weight.
# The highly engineered OMS retractable and non-retractable band BC's have a proven safety record over a 10-year period and have been used under the most extreme conditions.


Personally, I don't notice a difference between band/no band. But I'm sure many manufacturers would love to tell you about how you'll die if you buy a bladder with a band. Of course, I found this on the website of a company that sells bladders with the bands, so either way I guess.

 

[Paulmal]

I have bungies and I'm DEAD!!!!!

 

[Thalassamania]

I don't happen to like bungies, but I have no evidence that they are dangerous. There are very strongly held opinions on what is dangerous and what is not, based on nothing more than "my instructor said so," based on nothing more than, "my Instructor trainer said so," ad infinitum.

 

[The Kraken]

I dive a Dive Rite "Rec" wing with bungies. I've done so for a long time and in areas where there is a very real chance of becoming "entwined" on something.

I am not dead. At least physically anyway.

the k