Back plate/wings or BCD

[Groovekitty]

eelpout,

I dove a wrap around BC while taking my open water training -it was the worst dive gear experience of my life - it almost scared me away from diving. I figured if the gear was so ill fitted and uncomfortable, why the heck would I want to keep doing this? Needless to say, my fearless personal dive guru - who you may know as DRE - introuduced me to a backplate/harness system.

Once you dive a backplate/harness you won't even ask this question. It is without a doubt the most comfortable system available.

If you think about the components used to make a BP/HRNS, it makes sense.

First, You have one continuous piece of webbing, (I personally don't endorse a quick release as this is a failure point) which will pretty much never break, that is fitted to your exact specifications. You can adjust it as your diving needs change, and if it ever wears out, you can replace it for less than $10.

Secondly, you have a backplate - I dive a stainless steel BP since this adds 6lbs of weight - which will last forever, is very comfortable, and allows your rig to sit snugly on your back.

Finally, diving a BP/HRNS simply makes diving easier. You don't have to deal with your tank shifting which has the potential to cause injury, especially when entering or exiting the water - ever tried to walk up the beach at the Madiera with your tank sliding all over the place? Sucked - didn't it?

I absolutely LOVE my BP/HRNS and will NEVER dive a wrap around BC again if I can help it. I know a Ranger is similar in inflation, but you can't beat a steel plate on your back to keep your rig snug - and it looks sexy in the shower - j/k ;D

Anyway, if you want to try one out, I believe SD&T is hosting pool time to do so. I promise you that once you try it you will sell that Ranger on Ebay as fast as you can and make the switch - you won't regret it!!!

Safe diving,
~groovekitty*