Neck injury and Wing Style BCD

[GW_2007]

As I'm getting back into diving after 20 years. Took my refresher course with jacket style, currently taking drysuit training with jacket style. Curious if anyone sees any issue with using a Wingstyle BCD. LDS push the jackets mainly I think because they don't have many wing styles. I asked about Wing but get the answer they don't like them.
I understand compensating for forward tilt on surface. FYI: my issue is NO left to right rotation and minimum up and down.

Thanks to all

 

[dmaziuk]

Forward tilt: either don't overfill the aricell and ride very low in the water, or lean back and balance on top of the wing. The only thing I can imagine wrt neck injury is that riding low in the water as per option 1 may matter?

 

[Bowers]

Wont cause any more problems to your neck than a jacket would. Im sure you’re aware of the numerous benefits a bp/w offers that jackets dont.

 

[Jcp2]

If you can’t turn your head left or right, would you have to roll your whole body left or right to see in that direction? If so, then maybe a wing isn’t the best, a stabilizer jacket might be better.

 

[GW_2007]

If you can’t turn your head left or right, would you have to roll your whole body left or right to see in that direction? If so, then maybe a wing isn’t the best, a stabilizer jacket might be better.

I found a shop that rents Wing Style so I'm going to try both with a drysuit to see what the difference is. What you said though logically thinking having to roll on my side makes sense mechanically

 

[Zef]

I have chronic upper back and neck problems...had C3-C4 discetomy and fusion back in 2015, I dive a back plate/wing and have had zero issues relating to my neck resulting from it. Have not experienced any issues with forward tilt at the surface either, even with my 35lb lift wing inflated to the point the OPV starts to self-vent while diving with a 12L steel tank.

-Z

 

[outofofficebrb]

I am way more trim in a back inflate/wing than I am a jacket. It is more naturally occurring and easier to do with it vs a jacket. I own a back inflate and as I am trim, I feel like my head tilts up more (something the OP might be concerned with) to look forward than say, someone who is more upright and less trim. Is there any validity to this (anyone else?) or can anyone visualize this?

Or maybe I’m crazy. Also likely story.

 

[Zef]

I think the overall benefit of back inflate on trim/buoyancy control is worth it. The OP can adjust weight placement to affect trim to attain an attitude in the water that is best suited for the limited range of motion they have in their neck.

I am not a fan of jacket style BCs, wrap-around or back inflate. I prefer the more solid connection between my body and the weight of the tank that a backplate offers. I like the customizability of the backplate harness, and I like that if using a stainless steel plate that a good chunk of balast is moved from my waist and distributed over my back.

-Z

 

[Ghetto Diver]

I have neck problems, but not as bad as you.
I dont have a back inflate bcd anymore, and dive bp/w now. With both, all I do is keep my body at about 30d to look forward when criusing and horizontal when I am looking down. I roll to look up.
Dive on.

 

[dmaziuk]

... I am trim, I feel like my head tilts up more (something the OP might be concerned with) to look forward than say, someone who is more upright and less trim. Is there any validity to this (anyone else?) or can anyone visualize this?

I think I always swim like that, but nothing's stopping me from moving my trim weights from the camband to waist strap and turning head-up. If I ever wanted to.