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Diving Back Plate & Wing
It is interesting when showing students or customers a black plate and wing style buoyancy system. Some remarks are: “It looks too technical”, “That plate must be hard on the back” or “Where are the pockets” and best of all is “It’s not pretty looking”.
New divers are first exposed to diving using “jacket” style BCDs for their training and are not exposed to other styles or configurations. Two remarks stand out from these new divers. One is that the “jacket” floats up around their ears while on the surface. The other is, it twists on their bodies while diving.
Fair enough, my “jacket” BCD does the exact same thing, no matter how I adjust it. I have been diving for 17 years, and have had more than one “jacket” style BCD from various manufacturers over the years and each one I had to fight those same issues. Don’t get me started on the impossibility of accessing the pockets at depth. It is nearly impossible in warm water and impossible in cold water with thick gloves on.
When it comes down to a “back plate and wing” system, it can be adjusted for any size of a person, regardless of sex, weight or height. The system is modular, meaning that you can change the size of the wing depending on where you are diving or what you are diving (single tanks or double tanks). The back plate can be either aluminum or a heavier stainless steel and your preference will depend on where you are diving. Weight systems can be moved for better trim in the water within minutes, no plastic quick releases to break when something heavy lands on your BCD. Also, you can add a thigh pocket for your SMB (surface marker buoy), finger reel, spare mask and other essential items for the dive, which makes it easy to access these items. The system also utilizes a crotch strap that holds the BCD down when floating at the surface or being inverted underwater looking for creatures under ledges. What? A crotch strap! Yes, and it is comfortable when adjusted correctly!
When the “back plate and wing” system is on the diver, it fits snugly. No loose gaps, no pressure around the stomach or chest area as the air cell is on your back. Your arms move more freely not having the bladder on the side of your body. It becomes part of the diver. When you move, the unit moves with you. Your trim (horizontal position) is improved in the water as the air cell is on your back, causing less drag and you use less air.
Intriguing isn’t it!
Some remarks from customers who have tried the “back plate and wing” system: “I have been fighting my trim for years, now after 20 minutes using a wing, I trimmed out!”, “It feels more secure and fits better than any female jacket I had before”, “I don’t feel smothered when on the surface, nothing pushing against my chest”, “It feels like it’s a part of me.”
Interested in seeing one up close and trying one out?
Give Lorne a call at:
The Dive Outfitters Ltd
17826-107Ave
Edmonton, AB
(780) 483-0044
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