Back Inflation or Jacket style BCD

[johnspierce 25]

There have been quite a few topics asking why a diver uses a back inflation or a jacket style BCD, so I'm not asking for a re-hash of that -- I'm just interested in what people are actually diving?

Edited June 19, 2012 by johnspierce

[rtrski 20]

...because I've not bothered to buy new. It works okay and I'm used to it. Why replace?

 

(IF I were buying TODAY though.....oppposite vote)

[Timmoranuk 10]

Your question John, prompted me to count my wings. Nine...

[eyu 27]

I have changed from a back inflation to a jacket BCD after doing the Galapagos some years ago.

With a back inflation BCD you get your face splashed with each wave in 3 feet of chop since you are unable to get you head high out of the water. The back inflation tends to pitch you forward where the jacket will not.

[Deep6 7]

I have changed from a back inflation to a jacket BCD after doing the Galapagos some years ago.

With a back inflation BCD you get your face splashed with each wave in 3 feet of chop since you are unable to get you head high out of the water. The back inflation tends to pitch you forward where the jacket will not.

You just need to add some ballast to your butt!

Bob

Edited June 19, 2012 by Deep6

[JimSwims 31]

Back plate and wing, best trim in water. That's what counts for me

 

Cheers,

Jim.

[gina 9]

I love my jacket-style BC as it doesn't push my face in the water when I'm floating. If & when I need another BC, it'll be another jacket-style.

 

-Gina

[SwiftFF5 134]

I'm another who has (at least) one of each. Different tools for different jobs.

[acuevas 4]

The problems in the surface with a wing is all about technique and balance.

I can stay vertical in the surface with my face out of the water without moving my fins, it's all about the balance.

And you cannot have better trim underwater.

[tdpriest 115]

You just need to add some ballast to your butt!

 

Is that the same as losing some bioprene?

 

Tim

 

[tdpriest 115]

...you cannot have better trim underwater.

 

True, but perfect trim isn't neccessarily the best posture for photography, especially if you are using a straight viewfinder.

 

Tim

 

[acuevas 4]

True, but perfect trim isn't neccessarily the best posture for photography, especially if you are using a straight viewfinder.

 

Tim

 

 

True, I still don't have a 45 degree viewfinder.

[eyu 27]

I can stay vertical in the surface with my face out of the water without moving my fins, it's all about the balance.

 

But can you get your head high enough out of the water in 3 foot chop so you do not get a face full of water with each wave and not be pitched forward?

[jbdiver 0]

But can you get your head high enough out of the water in 3 foot chop so you do not get a face full of water with each wave and not be pitched forward?

 

In the Great Lakes we deal with bigger waves than that while wearing wings. Generally when I'm on the surface I'm naturally leaning back so that I can use my fins more effectively and prevent water intake. If your back-inflated wing is pitching you forward that means you have way too much air in the wing.

[acuevas 4]

But can you get your head high enough out of the water in 3 foot chop so you do not get a face full of water with each wave and not be pitched forward?

 

Absolutely, is all about using the correct size of wing according to the amount of weight you are carrying.

And about not be pitched forward, is all in you body position. I've used different sizes of tanks, alu and steel, single and doubles. The trick is stop moving the fins and the hands and find the correct position to have a good valance.

And after some time, you never feel any unbalance while in the surface.

[blaisedouros 4]

I use a jacket but I don't love it; am thinking about going to back-inflated BCD sometime soon. The integrated weights on mine sit too high on my 6' frame, and so I struggle not to pitch forward.

[Steve Douglas 16]

I used a jacket style for most of my diving career after finally leaving the horse collars behind in the late 80's. However, as a shooter, I have been using a back inflated BC for the last several years. It enables me to avoid clutter in the front when filming.

Steve

[Deep6 7]

Is that the same as losing some bioprene?

 

Tim

 

Oh yeah, I have some of that bioprene forward on the other side.

 

I ditched the ole Oceanic last year when it became unreliable. I added weight pockets on the back tank strap for trim balance. My new back BC has them built in. I use 2:1 or 3:2 ratio lower weight to upper back trim. Over inflating on the surface can pitch you forward. Just relax and be still. I don't have a 45 deg. finder either. When properly trimed, up or down head movements can make gentle changes in position.

Bob

[johnspierce 25]

Poll responses are more heavily oriented to back inflate than I would have guessed. I have been diving my Seaquest Pro QD for about nine years; it's been a very good one, no complaints. Currently, I am attracted to the Zeagle Ranger for its replacement. I still like integrated weight pockets

[gina 9]

You just need to add some ballast to your butt!

 

I actually have done this and it does help with my trim! I put about half my weights in my integrated BC pockets and the other half on a weight belt to balance out the backside bioprene.

 

-Gina

[Timmoranuk 10]

Long ago I stopped using integrated weight systems with wings other than trim weights, which I don't often need when hauling a heavy, negatively buoyant camera. I do think there is a compelling case for using a jacket though, which was proposed to me by Cathy Church. She proposes that a jacket allows gas to migrate around the body to always orientate optimally whatever your attitude in the water. That said, I have never found that a wing compromises my ability to swim inverted or head down and to capture the shot...

[ce4jesus 1]

I started diving and shooting with a back inflation vest, dacor falcon. I loved in under the water but hated it at the surface. I tried several things that were suggested to me at the time and nothing worked to keep me from face planting at the surface..including putting liess air, remaining motionless etc etc. It was so frustrating that I moved into a jacket style BC.

[DamonA 7]

The simple efficient design of a BP & wings, lends itself to having a better COG in any position including at the surface...

 

http://www.direxplorers.com/new-dir-articl...plate-wing.html

 

The only reason I would imagine a photog diver wouldn't have one is they haven't tried a properly set up rig .....yet.

A properly weighted rig would never put you face forward(having for the average human size about 6lb on the rear and 3lb on the sides, maybe it's that camera gear isn't neutral?

I find it easier to lye on my back using my BP/W rig then with my jacket BCD, which I haven't used since getting my BP/W, but it wasn't terrible just not as lean and needed an extra 6lbs to get down with the same dive setup. so Sac rates improve as a consequence.

 

Dumpable weight pockets that mount off the backplate are better then ones which mount of the waist belt-

http://www.zeagle.com/showproduct/1038/Zip...-Weight-System/

 

It's sad to watch other divers lug and peddle, lead around the ocean for no real purpose- as we now watch BCD designs become more and more like a simple hog rig. A pocket is easiest to use where you can see it on the thigh, if you need one in the first place.

Edited June 21, 2012 by DamonA

[liquidguru 17]

I have a back inflate Aqualung Dimension. Most comfortable BCD I've ever used, weight-integrated and finally a back inflate system that gets rid of that stupid and totally pointless corrugated inflater hose.

[John Bantin 101]

You will find that the air for buoyancy in either jacket or wing will move to the same place ie the highest point, which it at your back behind your shoulders. If you need a pocket on a wing, your cannot beat the front pouch of a Buddy Trident (formerly called a Trimix).