Help Me Get Bp/w for Smaller Wife

[Couv]

I had called Mr. Bryan@VDH about that, he said I should be fine. I'm not sure how tall Eric is, I'm 5'11". If need be, I'll pack the hose up and ship it back for an exchange.

Tbh, I don't even see the option on his site to choose different size hoses anymore.

The standard 13 inch should be fine, if not and Bryan is out of stock on the length you need, I have an assortment of corrugated hoses (new and used) I'm willing to sell. I have hoses from 9 inches to 23 inches........I did a lot of experimenting when I switched to BP/W.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

The standard 13 inch should be fine, if not and Bryan is out of stock on the length you need, I have an assortment of corrugated hoses (new and used) I'm willing to sell. I have hoses from 9 inches to 23 inches........I did a lot of experimenting when I switched to BP/W.

Thank you, will keep that in mind. From the threads I've read / pictures I've seen, most seem to agree right around 13" is good.

I can't seem to find a definitive answer on where you want it to lay on the chest, or why?

 

[Exigent]

I talked to Bryan@Vintage yesterday and he is in fact out of the longer hose options but expects more to come in next week.

 

[aquacat8]

Trust me your “smaller wife” is not going to want to wear a weight belt AND a BC, there isn’t room. Go for removable 2 weight pockets on the waist, large enough to carry all her weight. If you go with a steel tank ( and eventually you will in cold water) putting weight in trim pockets on cam bands is going to make her turn turtle (flip on back). You want that weight at about the front hip bones for balance. And being female (our lower halves float) you want it low.

I was very happy with two removable weight pockets with strong clips diving in cold water in California. Mine were like this, they do take up a lot of room on the belt, but hold a lot of weight. An option that was a bit deeper rather than wider might be even better. I was able to stuff 7 lbs in soft weights in each. But I had a soft pack not a steel plate.
Scubapro Accessory Quick Release Weight Pockets, Pair

 

[aquacat8]

You say she dives 18lbs, subtract maybe 4 or 5 for the plate, you’ll Need the 7 lb pockets. She will drop weight with experience. If she keeps diving wet a hood integrated 7 or 8 mil suit or a 7 mil suit with a five mil hooded vest are better options than the farmer John and Jane (if she hasn’t bought it yet) because they are less bulky less buoyant, simpler, and just as warm. If she gets a steel tank she will be able to drop another 5 pounds.

In staging a Shore dive at you quarry the weight inserts may be carried separately.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

Trust me your “smaller wife” is not going to want to wear a weight belt AND a BC, there isn’t room. Go for removable 2 weight pockets on the waist, large enough to carry all her weight. If you go with a steel tank ( and eventually you will in cold water) putting weight in trim pockets on cam bands is going to make her turn turtle (flip on back). You want that weight at about the front hip bones for balance. And being female (our lower halves float) you want it low.

I was very happy with two removable weight pockets with strong clips diving in cold water in California. Mine were like this, they do take up a lot of room on the belt, but hold a lot of weight. An option that was a bit deeper rather than wider might be even better. I was able to stuff 7 lbs in soft weights in each. But I had a soft pack not a steel plate.
Scubapro Accessory Quick Release Weight Pockets, Pair

I got her 2 small trim pockets (able to hold 5lbs each) for the cam bands. Not really worried if they never get used, they were cheap all things considered and figured why not.

I also got her a set of these;
7.25kg/16lb Removable Weight Pockets

Pretty much the exact thing you linked, just different company. I showed her the XS scuba weight belt which was cheaper option. Maybe not exactly quick release but the little velcro pockets could be opened and weights ditched quick enough.

Edit: forgot to add she didn't like the XS weights amd of couse picked the other more expensive ones...

 

[aquacat8]

Save the trim pockets because she may use them on her waist for warm water diving instead of the big bulky cold water pockets.

 

[aquacat8]

You did great! She is very lucky you’re doing all this research for her and buying her such cool stuff!

 

[rob.mwpropane]

You did great! She is very lucky you’re doing all this research for her and buying her such cool stuff!

I appreciate it!! I hope she does too. I already told her she's just about the most expensive dive buddy I could of imagined, lol. I thought diving was expensive for me, now it's TWICE as much, even more so for smaller stuff!

When she was in OW she hated the way the jacket BC fit (because it didn't fit all that well). Even in an extra small she said it felt awkward. My hope is with the bp/w she'll feel more comfortable and free (or so I've read on here).

Very happy with all the help and thrilled with all the pieces. The only thing I wasn't thrilled about was the price of the bp itself (which I've stated plenty of times), but if it fits her well I'm more than happy to pay for that.

 

[aquacat8]

It is practically indestructible, will last a lifetime, and has resale value. How many things can you say that about nowadays?