An Epiphany Moment - Thoughts about the Backplate and Wing

[Conor]

I always think the two should be seperated. There is no reason why a new diver shouldn't use a wing, in fact I can think of a lot of reasons why they should.

I still remain unconvinced by the need for novice divers to dive backplates (unless they are abosulutely certain they are going techy, which would be risky if you compare this to the dive training thread).

If you said Harness and Wing I'd totally agree

[jb2cool]

Originally Posted by Mal Bridgeman

How did you know at that stage that your diving would progress and what progression meant?

I knew that i'd probably want to move on to a twinset at some point and not really have to buy all my equipment over again.

How did i know what progression meant? well i might have been inexperienced but i had experienced friends and noticed how all their kit was quite different to the school kit i was learning in. I though, there must be a reason for that and then went readin up on the 'tinterweb.

[Scubee]

I started off with a BCD (Mares dragonfly) if I had my time over again, I would still have started with a BCD, but not that one. I only moved to a wing when the diving I wanted to do meant that a sinlge +pony wasn't right.

When i started diving, I didn't know if I would last more than a year in the UK, I only started out to do the odd week as a holiday diver, so it wasn't appropriate to go straight for a wing. I didn't know how my diving would progress, or even if it would.

[stabjacket]

how much of a difference would a wing make if you are diving with a drysuit thou?
only ever used the bc as a source of bouyancy in the pool so just wondering if it would still make a difference when using my drysuit.

cheers
stab

[Richie]

Many people find it easier to use the Wing for bouyancy and simply keep the drysuit comfortable leaving shoulder dump wide(ish) open.
This also gives a good position in water.

[stabjacket]

ahhhh thanks for reply

not sure if id be confident to have air in both, could get a bit complex as ive only got a wrist dump not auto dump.

would probably have to have loads of weight as well

stab

[Tesseract]

Did my open water in a jacket BC and then a week in Sharm on a hire jacket. I am a bit obsessive compulsive, so all of the dangly crap on the front drove me nuts. When I came home I bought a TransPac and Travel wing(the whoppee cushion). Ripped all the padding, chest strap and other bits I did not like from the TransPac and have been very happy with the setup ever since.

When I moved to twins I just bought a DiveRite classic wing and attached it to the TransPac with a couple of stainless steel load spreaders. I am sure it is not quite as robust as a back plate but I am yet to notice any real problems.

Every now and then I use a hire BC when I am traveling and I always feel very awkward in the water. I must admit I have never really understood what advantages a jacket BC really has and why they are so popular. The only argument I have heard is that wings can "push you forwards at the surface" but this has not been my experience at all. *Shrug* No disputing taste I guess.

Tesseract

[Conor]

I think its a facet of diving history. BCs started at the front with horse-collar/fenzy type set ups and have been moving back ever since

The main difference is whether it keeps you head up in the water in all conditions especiall when unconcious. A Fenzy definitely will, a wing probably wont (esp when unconscious), where as a BC is a decent compromise.

I am all for the buoyancy being at the rear, but for a lot of novies the tradional jacket type can be comforting

[gansell]

started off with a buddy gold ablj, then people started to use BCDs, but the BSAC reckoned they would tip you onto your back and drown you, so I got one Far more comfortable than the ablj when inflated, but more bulky and obtrusive. Switched to a zeagle wing in about '97 with twin indie 10's and loved it.

For singles diving use an DIR Zone cub wing, far better than a bcd, would never go back and wish that I had got one when I got my bcd, but they weren't around in much 1988.

[Richie]

Originally Posted by stabjacket

ahhhh thanks for reply

not sure if id be confident to have air in both, could get a bit complex as ive only got a wrist dump not auto dump.

would probably have to have loads of weight as well

stab

It only really works with the auto dump - can be done without but it can be a PIA.
As for weight that depends - I use a neo drysuit and with twins+BP in freshwater I only use a 2kg V weight. This enables me to hold <5m with <50 bar.