Horrible Divers Everywhere?

[Ayisha]

So there you have it. Don't need bpw or Shearwater, lol

Of course you don't. You can have the exact same buoyancy control and trim whether in a bp/w or jacket, whether it's good or poor control and trim. Someone who is dialed in can wear almost anything with the same results.

You just look way cooler in a bp/w. And a bp/w tends to last way longer than a jacket and is cheaper over a diving lifetime due to being modular. Any part that needs replacing can be replaced individually - you don't need to buy a whole new BC. The modular nature also allows it to be used from o/w through tech diving. Many of them also retain their resale value due to being modular.

 

[pauldw]

I think maybe a couple of months ago was better than today, because my elbow hurt less.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Of course you don't. You can have the exact same buoyancy control and trim whether in a bp/w or jacket, whether it's good or poor control and trim. Someone who is dialed in can wear almost anything with the same results.

You just look way cooler in a bp/w. And a bp/w tends to last way longer than a jacket and is cheaper over a diving lifetime due to being modular. Any part that needs replacing can be replaced individually - you don't need to buy a whole new BC. The modular nature also allows it to be used from o/w through tech diving. Many of them also retain their resale value due to being modular.

I guess my implied snioey face was as easily seen as I'd thought.

 

[Ayisha]

I guess my implied snioey face was as easily seen as I'd thought.

Haha, it was easily seen. I just thought I'd address it anyway since some newer divers seem to think that bp/w's are so different from any other back-inflate and are sometimes discouraged from going that route.

 

[JHumbert15]

Haha, it was easily seen. I just thought I'd address it anyway since some newer divers seem to think that bp/w's are so different from any other back-inflate and are sometimes discouraged from going that route.

Key word: back-inflate. I'm not saying you're wrong (because you're not at all), but just pointing out that a bp/w will function much like a back inflate as you mentioned. However, in a normal jacket style, it is much harder, in my opinion, to keep optimal trim unless you have weights towards your head, as the jacket wants to push you head up. Not saying it can't be done, but it is harder than a back inflate jacket or a bp/w.

- Jake

 

[Fastmarc]

Key word: back-inflate. I'm not saying you're wrong (because you're not at all), but just pointing out that a bp/w will function much like a back inflate as you mentioned. However, in a normal jacket style, it is much harder, in my opinion, to keep optimal trim unless you have weights towards your head, as the jacket wants to push you head up. Not saying it can't be done, but it is harder than a back inflate jacket or a bp/w.

- Jake

In my experience, getting a jacket BCD in trim was super easy, barely an inconvenience. I did it with the two that I owned and they were 2 different brands. I just think most who own a jacket BCD are those who don't really care about stuff like trim.
I now dive a xdeep ghost and the great difference to me is streamline and having so much less around you. That is so much nicer.

 

[drbill]

Instruction with divers sitting on the bottom seems to be pretty standard for most classes. One good thing is that soft bottoms like sand are more subject to disturbance so many of the critters are more tolerant of it.

Back when I was informed I actually needed a c-card to SCUBA dive, we learned our basic skills in the pool (where there were no critters to disturb) and once we hit the ocean, we were expected to stay off the bottom.

As a videographer, I often end up on the bottom to film... but my body is always gently spread out in a prone position to spread the weight.

 

[Colliam7]

An interesting thread, notwithstanding some of the conspicuously off-topic diversions (politics, and the walks down that all too well-known street - Memory Lane - in that equally well-known town - Fantasyland).

The post that started this thread described some very unfortunate diver behaviors. And, while it is easy to assign responsibility to current training practices, and put on the rose-colored glasses and remember the past glory days, that doesn't address the issue very effectively.

Divers have access to good training in 2019, across multiple agencies. Whether they choose to take advantage of it is up to them. Complaining that training has been watered down, or 'McDonaldized', or that instructors are not as capable or rigorous, is easy. But, doing so possibly misses the important ingredient - the attitude and mindset of the student / diver.

Likewise, equipment doesn't make the diver. The diver makes the equipment (function well or poorly, depending on their attitude and skills). The video that chilly posted was excellent in that regard. Certain types of equipment may make the job a bit easier. But, the diver determines that.

Some years ago on SB, Jim Lapenta made the observation that there are underwater tourists, and there are divers. Someone who wants to be an underwater tourist may not be as focused on skills, and buoyancy, and trim, even environmental awareness, as someone who wants to become a diver. I can't change the mindset of the underwater tourist, although I can try to be a role model, as a diver and as an Instructor, to at least help them see other possibilities. I can be, and am, responsible for my own mindset, and my own skill set, and my own behavior underwater. While I would probably be just as frustrated as the OP by what he described at BHB, my best reaction would be to not be part of the problem.

 

[AdivingBel]

I just think most who own a jacket BCD are those who don't really care about stuff like trim.

I see plenty of experienced rec divers in jackets that dive in trim. Experienced is the key word. I don't know that it's necessarily a "care about it" thing. It's just the most efficient way to get from A to B and with experience you generally figure it out. IMHO, the jacket/not in trim thing is mostly perpetuated by newer divers who are mostly in jackets many of whom are substantially over weighted (not just a little, all in one place) which is the biggest cause of seahorsing and other diving nasties. All IMHO, YMMV. Safe diving.

 

[Bob DBF]

However, in a normal jacket style, it is much harder, in my opinion, to keep optimal trim unless you have weights towards your head, as the jacket wants to push you head up.

Yeah, and a BP/W will push you face down. If one is over weighted and have to fully inflate your BC to be neutral, that might be the case. I've not had an issue with either, and I'm not all that special.



Bob