Timely video indeed. I'm purchasing my first BCD this week and have decided on a BP/W setup. I'm going with an aluminum bp to start because most of my diving is travel. Thanks for yet another great video.
@diversdready hey James, you mention you have a specific way of storing things like your SMB. Any interest in doing a video on storing items with tips and tricks for streaming
As someone who is 6’1” and currently 300lbs, the BPW setup was a game changer. I don’t need anything else around my waist or belly. These are perfect for us big dudes.
Back plate and wing/back inflated bcd did wonders for my buoyancy. At some point during my first dive with mine I said to myself "Wow, there's just nothing I need to adjust anymore." I found myself with more time to look at my surroundings. I consider that dive my first dive.
I do both but for some reason I always go back to my scubapro classic full jacket for some reason… it just seems to make me feel the most comfortable. I do encourage people try to use different BCD’s even after buying your own.
Do you have any videos on how to help more novice divers staying head up on the surface with a back inflate style bcd? For the life of me I can't figure it out without finning. I keep hearing people say lean back, but that seems impossible without finning. Maybe I'm just not that bright. I'm worried about a situation where I have lost the boat and I might have to stay at the surface for a prolonged period of time and and worried about getting tired trying to stay upright.
I still use a weight belt is some instances. If I'm wearing a particularly buoyant exposure suit and need to remove my BCD for any reason I don't want to suddenly become dangerously floaty.
100% for neoprene drysuit diving I wear 20 lbs on my belt and 12 lbs in my wing. I know cold water divers that put all their weight integrated into a BCD and when I ask them "what happens if you're entangled and need to take you pack off?" They just go "uhhhhhhh"
"Neither system is safer than the other" Attempt demonstrating rescue skills on somebody wearing a wing and consider the accuracy of this statement. 1) The wing will constantly flip the onto their front. In real life this drowns them, but in a training scenario it is merely annoying. 2) Try getting somebody out of a correctly adjusted wing harness without cutting the webbing. In real life you'll cut them out (which takes time), but in a scenario it makes it almost impossible 3) attempt towing an "unconscious" diver wearing a wing. You'll find it exhausting because of the submerged, inflated wing's drag. So, safety wise a traditional jacket design with its quick releases, up right posturing, and low profile inflation is the safest of the two for performing a BC's primary function: TO PROVIDE POSITIVE BUOYANCY AND MAINTAIN AN AIRWAY ON THE SURFACE. This is why safety conscious parents will NOT put their kids in harnesses. Little coffins and funerals for drowned children cost more than a new BC every 3 years. Outside of tech diving, or those wearing dry suits, there is no place for back plates and harnesses in warm water recreational diving.
As a new diver I preferred the BPW. Your comment that the full jacket is more comfortable prompted me to want to comment. The jacket being more comfortable is what I had been hearing/reading but on the flip side experts were saying go with a BPW. I was concerned that the BPW would be an issue with my bad shoulder so I was hesitant. From my very limited experience I agree that the jacket is more comfortable OUT of the water. In the water, however, to me it is just the opposite. With the jacket I feel so bulky and limited with my range of motion and being able to find my accessories. There is also the mental aspect of feeling "overloaded" in the water, which takes getting used to. If you are like me and have been in the water your entire life wearing the minimum to maintain control, speed, and minimize drag. The BPW, once in the water, feels like I'm wearing no more than my swimming trunks. It is very comfortable and I feel I can move much easier. I have better control of my buoyancy, I can turn, twist, and maneuver like I'm used to doing in the water with little effort. Not to mention I am able to find my accessories easily. I am interested in doing some underwater photography and I found on my last couple dives I was able to get in any position to do videos and pictures with much less effort than a jacket. All that being said I am new to the sport. My wife and I both just started diving early this year. I tested full jacket, back inflate jacket, hybrid, and BPW. After the testing, for me, it was an easy decision to go with a BPW. I thought my wife would feel the same, but I was surprised when she went with the full jacket. To each her own I guess? Though the jacket is more comfortable out of the water isn't the point of SCUBA gear to be comfortable (and safe) IN the water?
Somewhat agree. I found it easier to stay level with the backplate, but once I found the right posture, I didn’t have any issues with the jacket either. That plus the extra comfort on the surface made me prefer the jacket. Easier for surface swims out to platforms or buoys during shore dives for me. And for taking my fins off before getting on a boat. Either way though, they do what they’re supposed to. Keep you happy underwater.
Hi James #askdiversready, when I bought my first (and only so far) BCD, I went with an Aeris (Oceanic) JetPack. It is kind of a hybrid jacket and wing style. It isn't a true BP/W style but it isn't a true jacket style either. It has a bladder/wing that wraps around the back plastic plate and doesn't have all of the bulk and pockets that a typical jacket style has, but it does have the dump weight system. My first time diving with it will be in two weeks when I am in Costa Rica, so I will let you know my thoughts. Thank you again for all of your videos!!
So 6 dives in with the JetPack and a few issues. One, as with any new gear, it took a few dives to get the fit right since this is a "one size fits all" and fully adjustable....not sure if I still have it right. Secondly, getting the weight just right was a bit of a challenge. With the dump pockets in the front, I needed more weight in the back for stabilization...luckily I has some pouches on the secondary tank strap to put weights in, but they were small.
Scuba Pro Hydro is an excellent compromise. Quick releases and a low profile bladder make it safe and comfortable. Even better is the quick dry materials it is constructed with making it perfect for travel - it will be dry for your flight the following morning.
Imagine recommending jacket bcd to someone. When I swapped out to the wing bcd, I was seven times more comfortable, cause my mobility was not limited by unused oversized pockets on my back, and it reduces drag, so my legs felt nice and comfy.
Fantastic video. Vey well done. Thank you. Love to see how you attached your SMB to the backplate. It was speeded up in the video. I would be grateful if you can show how or maybe you have done in past videos.
Great video! I switched this season to a BPW and what a difference! Can you show how you attach your SMB? I was trying to figure out if I should hang it from the butt D-ring or rig some bungee on the side like you seem to do. Thanks!
I have back padding on my backplate. I put my dsmb betweetster those two. The spool is a bit loosed and clipped on my back d ring on my crotch strap . Or i inflate my dsmb a bit when it is rolle up and it wil float along nicely. Or i put them in the pocket of my dry suit or tech shorts.
There are 2 bungee straps fixed at the BP holes. As the SMB is like a cylinder when folded, he attaches the 2 bungee straps to it and 'voila'. (but probably there is a boltsnap to guarantee that it doesn't fall accidentally).
@@gmussiluz Yea, I see though the bungees are oriented vertically and it seems like it would be pressing on his back where it is. At 5:10 he has the SMB mounted, though it's hanging half below the bottom of the BP. I'm sure I could play around and get something going, was just hoping for his first hand report on it.
Just moved over from a BCD (Cressi) to a BPW (OMS) will never look back, the OMS kit is really comfortable. Weight pouches are integrated into the harness, but i still wear weight on my body for obvious reasons.. Great vid btw
Awesome review! Just what I needed. Looking at getting my 13 year old a setup and researching BPW for him since its expandable and 100% customizable. Save a ton of money as he grows. Thanks
Oi, I love my various weight belts :P . Seriously though, even for sidemount they are a great tool for getting lead in the correct spots (I dive dry in a neoprene suit with arctic expedition undergarments).
here is my ? they say that a plate and wing that it throws them forward and they like a jacket style. so on the surface you inflate just enough to get your head out of the water. so with a jacket there is just a bit of in the back top of the jacket not the hole thing filled up. so with a plate and wing is not that bit of air in the same place? i have no problem at the surface with my plate & wing.
True, IF you only inflate enough to keep your chin out of the water. But many schools teach beginners to fully inflate at the surface, at which point jackets stay vertical and wings usually don't.
Great video! My favorite setup (warm water recreational diving) is a BPW BCD with tech shorts (store SMB … clipped in the side pockets) and a rash guard, super comfortable!
Hi @Divers Ready, I am watching this in 2023 and at 8:44 you say, 'its 2019 so nobody really should be using a weight belt... please' Curious as to why you made that comment. I was trained using a weigh belt and perhaps due to not being exposed to integrated weights, but I am hesitant of integrated weight systems on BCDs. What is the appeal for not using a weight belt? Fortunately, the number of weights I need has come down significantly so I only need about 2kg and I been considering trying 1kg/1.5kg on my next dive trip.
Wings all the way, I also like hybrids. Having dived around the world with my girls I have noticed that not many dive centres offer kids wings as a rental bcd. For me it makes perfect sense to adjust the wing bcd to fit a Childs body.
When I did my first pool dives I used a jacked BCD but doing my first open water dives I used a BPW. I must say. When I first saw it I thought it would be incredibly uncomfortable with that massive plate, but I was wrong. I prefer it to the jacket. I found it’s also easier to maintain trim
During my first week of diving I used both a BPW and Jacket BCD, and I found the wing setup SO much easier to use. The balance is much better, and you feel more free when in the water.
ScubraPro Tek with 2 tank straps soft back,OMS wing works with my neoprene drysuit, pony setup,steel tank. Never wanted or tried hard steel on my back.
I’m buying and building mine currently. I feel like I need to throw some pockets for lead on the waist band...what do you use? I’m planning for some trim pockets around the cam bands, but unsure if that’ll be enough.
I dive rivers and large creeks for fossils. I use a jacket style BCD. It simply works, I love the integrated weights, and the extra pockets come in handy. I have dived a weight belt but have zero interest in using one.
cant stand the backplate wing...no pockets, the straps cut into the shoulders, and if you ever ever find yourself having to float for a long time at the surface or potentially on your back to swim a long way back to a boat the vests i find much more comfortable not pushing your face into the water in the swells
BPW all the way! Did a Hollis stainless plate, Dive Rite Voyager XT wing and DGX harness, love it! Still getting used to a long hose, a little more awkward setting up on the boat but fine in the water.
skzion2 nah mate not at all! I don’t really like wearing a weight belt either but id much rather have a weight belt than the bulk and heaviness of integrated
Yeah, agreed. Back when I dove a single tank with my drysuit I wore a belt. Having 18lbs of lead loaded onto an already heavy BCD just didn't make sense to me. Way more comfortable to put a good chunk of that weight on my hips. Plus weight belt buckles are just as reliable (if not more so) than the quick releases of integrated pockets.
Chris Carleton cause of work I basically always dive twins in a simple backplate and wing rig. If i added weight pockets the rig would weigh 50kg and would be way more bulky! Idk why anyone wouldn’t dive with a weight belt if they need more weight than you can put on the cam bands on the tank or as a v weight on twins
Yeah... That comment hit below the belt.😂😂. It might be 2019 but I still wear a weight belt, with my BP/W IF for example, I'm diving dry ( 35 -70 degrees) with a single aluminum 80. I know there are integrated weight pockets for my harness however I seem to be always retrieving lost weight pockets for 'those other folks'. The dirty little secret BCD manufacturers don't want us to know about.😬😉 Maybe there's a video coming up called ' How to never loose your weight pocket' Great vid. Good to see a tech instructor who can still talk chipper about getting a 🐻 hug from a jacket BCD.😁
hi james. i have a Hogg backplate. on my first dive last year diving on a very shallow reef, i had an equipment malfunction. i recall rolling so the tank was essentially below me. i saw something silver (which i now know is the screw and bolt. they disconnected resulting in my tank falling off. my reg was ripped from my mouth as the tank dropped. fortunately my buddy was able to grab my tank and we surfaced. terrifying experience as it was the first day on the liveaboard... today this is something that i've had a hard time shaking and it's at the front of my mind on every dive that it will reoccur. what are your thoughts have you heard of this happening before? i make a habit now of double checking that the bolts are tight but it still terrifies me what could have happened at depth
Hi Rosemary, I may not be James, but have you ever heard of nylock nuts? They are a safety nut that has nylon that'd the minor diameter of the bolt, the idea is that you tighten them and then it's hard to get them apart, and it would be I would venture to say impossible to have them just back out like a wing nut. As I said I'm not James, but I'm a mechanic.
I was the same as your student, I did my open water dives using a jacket style Bcd. I went on holiday for my first dive trip and was urged by the instructors at the dive shop to try the Wing style. Things instantly just clicked into place for me. I’m purchasing my own BP and wing soon would really like to find out how you setup/attach all your equipment for optimal streamlining. Thanks 😃
I typically use a very negative steel tank so that is sitting on the other side of the bladder. Never have trouble at the surface. I'd hate to have those wing nuts. They hit my back on units I've tried. Book screws are the way to go. Both my kids dive BPWs! Carbon Fiber ones. They fit them perfect and they'll grow into them.
Thanks for the video. I have the same APEKS BCD as you. I like it a lot (except for rear dump valve). Quick question: I like the way you secure your SMB to the backplate. Could you explain or demonstrate how you do this? Thanks again!
Interesting. I'm watching a lot of this sort of vid at the moment because after 30 years of UK rec and (paid) scientific diving I'm considering changing to a wing for extra lift. However, the myriad options for wings are mind-boggling. And then there is the multiplicity of organisations shouting 'This is the right way, lock step with us'. Then there is the cost. Cost is keeping people out of diving, especially young people. In the UK it is very noticeable that a majority of divers are grey-tops like me. Dive shops are disappearing, charter boats are disappearing and gas fills are getting harder to find with ever more distance to travel. So, if you can get hold of good kit at lower cost, that's good. I use a Buddy Commando bought for £55, barely used, off Ebay and then serviced by AP valves at very reasonable cost. £150 all in, paid for and ready to go including for work and with a reputation for bomb-proof reliability. And you certainly can get your trim right, dry suit or wet suit. For work, I often need to go in with a camera, a slate, a quadrat, a ground line, torch to back up the video light on the camera, sample bags (scientific diving remember and samples for authoritative IDs may be needed) pins for fixing a ground line and a tape (the actual transect). All this needs to be got at quickly and easily 'cos time spent faffing is time you 'should' be spending recording. The survey kit is variable and is extra to your normal dive kit (DSMB and back-up, compass, camera) and should be automatic in use. You can't do complicated ID work and concentrate on how you dive. A Jacket style BCD really scores as you have far more options to stow all this spidge without it beating the area you are surveying to death and without it all restricting your manoeverability too much or the access to your normal dive kit. And remember, you will be diving at work with an alternate air source (I dive indy twin 7s or 10s) and maybe a full face mask (run off a switch block with indy twins or a pony). My BCD happily handles twin 7s plus a side mounted 7 for deco gas. The BCD is a 'medium' as I'm physically small even in drysuit and winter warmies. But a recent need to side mount a 7 for deco gas as well as twin 10s is pushing me towards a wing and spending the time and dosh to get it properly sorted. To finish: If you are taking up diving, don't spend lots of dosh you may not have buying kit up front on the recommendation of anyone. Think about what's around, what you can afford, what's safe and go from there. You can upgrade or change later, once you decide to really get into it and what sort of diving you want/need to do. Shutting up now.
I introduced my s/o to BPW last week, at just under 70 dives with rental jackets. She immediately noticed the increased arm freedom without all that side bulk. BPW gets the comfort and fit vote. Also, I will always prefer separate weight belts to BC-integrated systems. Tank-loaded BCs are heavy enough on the shoulders, without adding lead to that weight. Let the hips carry the lead.
Hey James, I see your tank is attached to the wing using Griplocks but I don't see the bands on your backplate. Did you attach the tank to the wing only or I'm missing something?
Hi Buddy! Good to see you on here! I have a single tank adapter that is bolted through the wing and backplate. The gridlock bands are thread through the STA. Hope that helps! James
@@DiversReady Ha! That explains everything and actually makes life easier.. will get the STA too. The problem is that if I follow Griplock manual from Apeks and use 4 holes on a backplate for each band the bands get too short! STA will solve this issue. Thanks!!
Got myself a hybrid Jacked and after that a BP/W. The BP/W is MUCH more resilent and its nice I can replace single parts as nessesary. Working with V4A-Steel I could wield and mount a little frame for my weights, in a nice position. Weighting and trim is now childsplay. The Jacked already within 10 dives broke. A Strap-Connector cracked at 20m, while readjusting. Not nice. Luckily I had varanty and exchange only took time. But similar problem, now out of varanty the repare would be quite costy and depending what element brakes its a new jacked. BUT its increadilby light and I still keep it for a long distance travel (maybe when the purse is fat enough ^^°) Comparing both, I feel much more "free" with the BP/W, as no airpockets press against my body and the straps are much less restricting. But I guess that's a choice for one himself. BP/W is also set up for a double system, Jacked is only for mono bottle. If someones asking I would alway tend to a BP/W by now. For distant travel maybe an aloy one, with a mono-adapter.
James, Which BCD would you recommend for side mount diving? I know you like diveritebut which model? Cold water diving (Quebec) Wet and dry suit People have recommended Scubapro hydros pro and Holis models… Help!!!
Hi James, why the majority of back plate BCD don't have the emergency valve on the right shoulder. I currently use a "hybrid" sport back that has it, but I'm thinking of passing to a real back plate (but I use A LOT the emergency valve to deflate my BCD, particularly in the controlled ascent.... french style!).
These days you really don't need a single tank adapter, most plates have camband slots and so do most wings. These days I would say that single tank adapters are mostly for people that want to be able to quickly switch between single tank and doubles; and for those that need the added weight for dry suit diving.
It's sloppy when switching cylinders without the STA . Also in cold water it can add 2-3 lbs if the STA is ss which is a bonus. So I would never recommend someone to not get an STA unless they can't find $35 in their budget to buy one.
@@jonj17 I ran both, I don't find it sloppy without the STA. Personally even with a light weight plate and minimal exposure protection I am often negative with steel tanks, adding the in a STA makes me even more negative.
Fiddling with screw nuts is probably more convenient than fiddling with strapping throug. But I prefer the feel of the tank strapped to the plate directly, in terms of balance and responsiveness to rolling and in terms of lower profile going through holes. The 0.5kg of lead the STA saves me is not worth it.
Kimon Froussios You don’t need to fiddle with strapping through, I haven’t removed mine since I built the plate up. With modern wings that have tank stabilizers built in it is as solid as a properly fitted STA. Now if you need significant lead yeah maybe a weighted STA would be advantageous. But for tropical diving I’m typically putting on more than a couple of pounds.
I replaced my jacket style with a BPW set up a few years ago and it was the biggest diving improvement for me. My son is 12 and getting certified now. I'm trying to decide which route to go with him. I can pick up a jacket set up cheap used, where he would need a small plate set up to fit him (short kid). If I knew he would enjoy and keep diving, it would be a no brainer I think. Not knowing if he will do it once or twice and not enjoy it, its hard to justify $500+ for something I would have trouble selling used.
thanks James..as usual ,the best video on each topic.. I need to make sure I well-understood you here.. the price is almost similar for both types.. are the basis accessories for the BP/W considered ?or I need to consider and additional amount thanks again James 👍🏻
Personally, I prefer the backplate style BCD, it is easy to maintain and you have a good position in the dive. In my opinion I don't really see any reason to have a vest style BCD. Weighing yourself and use the proper amount of lead is the most important though. If you are properly weighed you shouldn't really have that much air in your BCD, when you are submerged.
Hi James what's the full wings name / company I know its apex but what model.. I have a jacket style and want to switch to a wing configuration.. Thanks lee.
Wanna carry more stuff without looking like a one-man band? Easy, the answer is tech shorts !! I like to carry my dsmb spare mask, dive slate etc and still look streamlined. I have only been diving the backplate/wing setup for a year now and would not go back to a jacket style bcd, no way. I dive a pair of 12l twins with a steel wing, a 2kg tail weight and 3kg of trim weights on my belt and for me, its perfect
Question for you. I have both jacket and backplate. The wing is a 32lb bungee wing. My question is can I use the wing with out installing the bungee I was told to stay away from bungee. Thanks for your time
In my Open Water course we were issued BPW for use. The instructors told us BPW are the best option for growing along with the diver as they progressed. After a bit of research and comparisons, including this one, BPW is hands-down the winner. Modular and ease of adaptability into wreck diving. I know the shop that certified us sold a jacket style, but I don't think it was an option for rental gear. Glad I did Open Water at home in Alaska, Dry Suit certified too!
Hi, James, I'm just getting into diving, but I'm a little concerned about BCDs not fitting me; I'm rather on the bigger side, similar to yourself. I've seen some cummerbund & buckle band extenders on dive shop websites; have you had any experience with using those extenders? Any other advice for us bigger divers?
8:41 honestly I prefer diving with a belt, I dive with a 7mm two piece suit all year round. Surface can be around 28 degrees, but at about 20 meters it is about 15 degrees, so I definitely don't mind the belt because my suit is so thick. (I dive in Croatia)
James- why would a backplate BCD not require much the same weight - the backplate hardly weighs much (much like stainless steel tanks vs steel tanks) unless its much less buoyant. It also seems that weight seems much harder to manage ie hard to fit quick release.
I've been diving with a Seaquest Balance for years. Not even sure if they make that model anymore. Its sort of a hybrid. Its jacket style with small pockets and integrated weight system but the pocket area doesn't inflate. All your gas is in the wing.
Comfort: you can have veeery comfortable backplate sleaves, as for ecample the new OMS sleave with integrated trim weight pocket in the back.... doesn't get mich more comfortable than that (=
I’ve recently passed my open water diver and Just about began diving recreationally. I’ve also started looking into buying my own gear. Is there any reason I shouldn’t consider buying a BPW set up as a first BCD?
I thought this was a good comparison between the BPW and the Jacket style BCD. I will point out one issue you did not cover which was staging the BPW on dive boats. I found trying to fit my BPW into the pvc cutdowns found on a great many dive boats to be a no-go, at least without jamming stuff and I never liked having to do that. I've gone back to the jacket since I do a great deal of diving with students which is a point you made very well. Thanks!
So based on your setup, it seems as though you don't have any ditchable weight. What is your philosophy on ditchable weight, or how do you handle associated emergencies with a BP/w?
Like you I dive different styles of BCD's depending on my dive. I have added a third kind to my arsenal. I have moved to the HOG Hybrid Pro. It is like diving a BP/W without the added weight of the BP and really lightweight for dive travel. The unexpected part was I also reduced the amount of lead I wear over a jacket style BCD without the heavier BP. I also had a portly student that no madder what I did, (short of adding clip on weights to his shoulder straps), I just couldn't get his trim as good as I would like. I moved him into the hybrid and he went trim instantly and we removed 4 lbs of lead in the first try.
Thanks. I am planning on buying my first BCD and have been thinking hard about the HOG Hybrid Pro. Or the Total buoyancy systemic. Helps to hear the hybrid is a good system.
@@robertohgren7892i sold a TBS to a friend of mine. After he spent a week diving with and he said it worked well and was glad he bought it. The Pro is a good deal lighter for traveling.
"Its 2019, nobody should wear a weight belt any more....please!" The best comment! :D Subscribed! Very nice video. Regarding your question about my personal preference: I started and learned with a jacket style BCD, later on I moved to a wing style BCD. Then I started sidemount and got so used to this nice clean setup and the D-Rings perfectly in place on the harness, that I now miss them when I dive a regular wing or Jacket BCD and get annoyed by their displacement. - A lot! Sidemount or backmount, most important to me is the clean organized harness. :)
I teach weight belts because if handed one when renting gear they’ll know how to use it. Once we’re through the skills requiring one I move the weights to the pockets so when handed a weight integrated bcd when renting it’s not the first time.
I would love to go without a weight belt ... unfortunately when you’re sporting a 2XL 7mm farmer john wetsuit with boots gloves and a hood, And need 32 pounds of weight, It’s not practical to put all that weight onto your BCD. I do half and half.
I just can't believe they cannot make a jacket that has a backplate straps and just enough wraparound at the hips to not cause push forward that wings do.
Single thing that irritates me about a back plate is the ability to float upright when bobbing on the surface talking with your fellow divers. I hate bobbing on the surface anyway, so it's less than a minor inconvenience. Back plate is the only way to go.
Not factually correct. AP Valves produce conversion kits to install manifolded twin set cylinders or twin individual cylinders onto their buoyancy jackets which are world class products. Also weights which can be ditched in an emergency are essential. Having all your weight on a steel back plate eliminates this essential survival step
But that's only true for AP jackets, and they have been designed from the start with the military and dive professionals in mind, the possibility for twins is a feature, not a retrofit. The backplate in the jackets is shaped to hold one or two untwinned tanks and has the necessary attachment points, and all the buckles have the necessary strength. High-street brand jackets are aimed at recreational diving and are not designed to accommodate twins. They lack the attachment points and the strength. There are no conversion kits and people should not try to convert them.
