I was expecting that exact answer
… just have 12 dives.. never tried BP/W and fell a bit scared abt it without trying first.
I was thinking on having one conventional and one bp/w once I get deeper into diving. Makes sense?
Thanks!
A bp/w is just another type of BCD. It has straps, it holds the tank, it goes on your back, it has an inflator/deflator mechanism and a flexible bladder to hold the air. There are more similarities than differences.
I dive extensively in both a jacket and in a bp/w.
All of my technical diving, which is most of my diving outside of giving lessons, is done using a bp/w because I have to take a truck load of crap with me including twin tanks on my back and one or two under my arms. A jacket style bcd wasn't designed for that so it makes sense to use the bp/w instead.
All of my training dives are done in a jacket. This is a choice because my students are learning in jackets and it's my role to teach them to become familiar with THEIR gear.... ergo, I wear what they wear since I am their mirror. In this context I use a single tank, usually 15l for practical reasons but sometimes 10l.
I can safely say that in either configuration my buoyancy control is perfectly sorted. I find neither solution "better" or "worse" than the other. Both are perfectly ok when used in the context in which they are intended and if you saw me diving in either set up you would think I was born in it. In fact, and I've said this before, I think I could look good with the tank strapped to my back with rope and using old milk jugs to adjust my buoyancy.
This leads me to the thing that irritates me the most about these kinds of discussions. People (usually novice divers) who are adamant that a bp/w is "better" are making a value judgement that is inappropriate and incorrect. A BCD is a tool. There are many BCD's that are fit for purpose and a few that are not. What is important to understand is what the BCD was designed for and to account for how you intend to use it.
As for the suggestions we usually hear that you will dive better in a bp/w. That's complete and utter rubbish. I think I understand why some divers say that but the fact of the matter is that if your buoyancy control is sorted then it's sorted regardless of how your tank is held to your back.
R..
