cool_hardware52
Contributor
By definition almost all inquires concerning the use of One wing for singles and doubles see on internet forums are being made by divers who have not yet used or purchased any Back Plate and wing. (You just don't see this type question from those who are well versed in BP&W, they know better)
The factors that influence the choice of a wing for either singles or doubles are primarily:
The buoyancy of the diver's exposure suit.
The volume of the tank(s)
It is extremely rare in my experience that a diver who is about to buy their first BP&W already knows what they will be using for an exposure suit when (or if) they transition to doubles. The holds true for tanks, few of these divers have any idea what tanks they might be using when they move to doubles.
Most divers will not be using the same exposure protection doubles dives that very likely include greater depths and lower water temps and much longer runtimes than they are currently experiencing with recreational single tanks.
In short these divers simply are not equipped to select a doubles wing.
Now look at the reasons Divers are attracted to BP&W's in the first place. Chief amongst these is reduced clutter and drag, and better venting performance.
Selecting a wing that is potentially 2x or more larger than is required for single tank diving, in a misplaced effort to be "prepared" for doubles "down the road" will negate many of the advantages offered by a properly sized, streamlined, single tank only BP&W.
If one does eventually make the transition to doubles the single wing can of course be sold and the proceeds used to buy the correct doubles wing, once the diver knows what his exposure suit buoyancy is and what cylinders he will be using. Net cost of about $150-200.
The transition to doubles is expensive, typically involves a drysuit, a couple sets of doubles, deco bottles, 4-8 sets of regs, can light, training and a few $1000's worth of misc gear.
To "hamstring" the new to BP&W diver with a "do it all" wing to save a few $$ is just silly.
Tobin
The factors that influence the choice of a wing for either singles or doubles are primarily:
The buoyancy of the diver's exposure suit.
The volume of the tank(s)
It is extremely rare in my experience that a diver who is about to buy their first BP&W already knows what they will be using for an exposure suit when (or if) they transition to doubles. The holds true for tanks, few of these divers have any idea what tanks they might be using when they move to doubles.
Most divers will not be using the same exposure protection doubles dives that very likely include greater depths and lower water temps and much longer runtimes than they are currently experiencing with recreational single tanks.
In short these divers simply are not equipped to select a doubles wing.
Now look at the reasons Divers are attracted to BP&W's in the first place. Chief amongst these is reduced clutter and drag, and better venting performance.
Selecting a wing that is potentially 2x or more larger than is required for single tank diving, in a misplaced effort to be "prepared" for doubles "down the road" will negate many of the advantages offered by a properly sized, streamlined, single tank only BP&W.
If one does eventually make the transition to doubles the single wing can of course be sold and the proceeds used to buy the correct doubles wing, once the diver knows what his exposure suit buoyancy is and what cylinders he will be using. Net cost of about $150-200.
The transition to doubles is expensive, typically involves a drysuit, a couple sets of doubles, deco bottles, 4-8 sets of regs, can light, training and a few $1000's worth of misc gear.
To "hamstring" the new to BP&W diver with a "do it all" wing to save a few $$ is just silly.
Tobin
