Back plate and wing (BPW) setups aren’t just for technical diving, and haven’t been for a long time. Divers and dive centers have been selling these setups to novice divers for years and many rental fleets are now solely populated with BPWs - but why? Let’s take a look at some of the benefits to dive centers, divers, and bust some common misconceptions.
Benefits to dive centers
Expanded offerings
The majority of customers walk into retail stores with their purchasing decision already made. That’s a fact of modern retailing. Customers see BPW systems online with rave reviews. If you don’t have them in stock then you won’t be prepared to make the sale.
One size pretty much fits all
Harness are either oversized or adjustable to fit a wider range of divers. That means less money tied up in inventory costs for BCDs.
Customization
Wing colors are often customizable allowing your customers to add their pizazz to the system. Backplate material/weight and the location/style of weight pockets are other customizable features that allows one BPW setup to be individualized, something a regular BCD can only do with color options.
Unparalleled in the rental fleet
Dive stores that switch to BPW in the rental fleet all have the same reaction: “why didn’t we do this sooner?!” Pair a BPW with subgravity sliders and it can go from a small to a large with minor adjustments. That means less money in the rental fleet, less to service, and less time trying on different units. Cold water training sites pair perfectly with thicker steel backplates and require less weight to be lugged to the dive site.
Why divers love them
Simplicity
Less to wash, get tangled and transport. The simple harness and wing takes up less space on the boat, in the dive bag and on the diver. Divers love how easily
Comfort
Most BCDs have 3 points of attachment - waist and two arms. BPWs have a 4th, the crotch strap. This contact point snugs the system to the diver so they operate as one unit.
Customization
Want a colored wing? A d-ring in a specific place? A heavy backplate and no weights? It can all be done with a BPW setup.
BPW setups are only for tech divers or people that want to be tech divers.
FALSE: The market shows this to be totally incorrect. Photographers, entry level divers and pros alike all love the simplicity of the harness system, comfort underwater, and versatility of their units.
BPWs are difficult to size.
Mostly false: Older systems were difficult to size because of the webbing quality and lack of instructions. Now that harnesses are mainstream the quality of material and instruction makes it much easier. Pre-built systems make assembly even simpler.
BPWs are uncomfortable at the surface.
Mostly false: If you use the system wrong it won’t be comfortable. Fully inflating most wings doesn’t work the same way as a jacket. Inflate the system enough to float comfortably and it’s even more comfortable that a jacket. The crotch strap keeps the unit snug and floating is significantly more ergonomic.
BPWs are deadly because of how they float at the surface.
Very false: Can a BPW float you head down at the surface? Of course they can, but so can jacket BCDs. Look at the inside of any jacket style BCD and you’ll see a distinct warning that it is not a life saving device. This myth’s origin is mostly from a misunderstanding of use. Furthermore in an emergency a harness can be sliced away significantly faster than a jacket.
Should all jacket/hybrid BCDs be thrown away? No way! BPWs are just another tool and style for divers however it’s important to remember that they aren’t just for tech divers or wanna be tech divers.