Should I bring my cold-water gear to Florida?

[Kmart921]

You need to separate the backplate and wing (physically) else you risk damaging the wing bladder.

Always.

Huh, that had never occurred to me. Seems like it would be a bit of a hassle but better than arriving with a punctured wing I suppose. Backplate in carryon also solves a lot of weight issues. (My only trip so far was before I bought a BP/W.)

Curious, has anyone actually ever experienced a punctured wing? Modern ones appear to be made out of fairly durable nylon or kevlar. I find it hard to believe that they could be damaged so easily just by being in luggage.

 

[rjack321]

Huh, that had never occurred to me. Seems like it would be a bit of a hassle but better than arriving with a punctured wing I suppose. Backplate in carryon also solves a lot of weight issues. (My only trip so far was before I bought a BP/W.)

Curious, has anyone actually ever experienced a punctured wing? Modern ones appear to be made out of fairly durable nylon or kevlar. I find it hard to believe that they could be damaged so easily just by being in luggage.

Yes the can be punctured. The most prominent/common way is from being caught between the hard edge of the plate and the seat of a boat - especially if you sit down fairly hard on a rocking boat. So its not likely but quite possible to get a pinch cut between your plate and wing if the plate gets banged around inside your bag