National Diving Officer Sophie Rennie and Head of Diving Sophie Heptonstall discuss which buoyancy devices you can use when diving a twinset
TWOSOPHIES Wing or Jacket?
National Diving Officer Sophie Rennie and Head of Diving Sophie Heptonstall discuss which buoyancy devices you can use when diving a twinset
Hybrid system
Wing system
Jacket system
THE QUESTION:
Is it a myth that you can only dive a twinset wearing a wing system? Kerry MacKay
Sophie Rennie answers
I think I went through exactly the same process as you have done and now have probably two BCDs and two wings as a result!
There are lots of differences as well as lots of similarities, but for me, it’ s all about comfort. The BCD is absolutely fine as long as it provides enough lift for the cylinder configuration.
All that needs to happen is a change of strap from a single one to a double‘ cam band’ so that you can secure both cylinders. The wing comes with a backplate, which generally will support more weight, but you will also see lots of people, including myself, who are diving a wing with a single cylinder.
The only disadvantage of the wing is that it does not provide the same stability at the surface as a BCD does. I like the wing for a nice free area at the front of my body, whereas the BCD does allow you to maintain an area of familiarity of pockets to put things in; and being familiar means less stress if something goes wrong.
Finally, the wing is harder to remove, whether you are coming back to the club RIB or shore diving, as there are generally no break clips to get out of the system easily. So lots of wriggling is required, whereas with a BCD you always have shoulder quick-release clips to assist with this.
What I can say is that you can dive twins with either a wing or BCD as long as they have enough lift!
Sophie Heptonstall expands
It is a myth – but you do need to look in detail and the types of BCD and wing, as there are so many options! You can use a BCD or a wing, but the primary consideration for any dive buoyancy system is safety and suitability for the twinset configuration you have and the diving you are doing.
The wing or BCD must have sufficient lift for the twinset configuration and the diver. You also need to take into account a potential incident – could you also lift an out-of-gas twinset buddy in an emergency situation?
BCDs often offer the option of integrated weight pockets, adjustable straps, and accessory pockets. This provides an all-inone solution and is familiar to most divers and rentable in most dive shops.
Wing systems are modular – you can swap out components such as the wing size, backplate material( steel v aluminium),
or harness to fit different diving styles, for example recreational, technical, wreck. This can offer more flexibility for travel and swapping between single and twinset diving if you don’ t dive twins all the time.
There are a number of hybrid‘ compact BCD’ options on the market that offer an integrated harness with a wing style bladder inflate on the bag if you are looking for an option with elements of both.
Wings are typically used with a backplate and harness setup, which can offer better stability and weight distribution— especially important with heavier twin sets. The buoyancy bladder in a wing sits entirely behind the diver, which helps maintain a more horizontal( trimmed) position in the water, improving efficiency and control.
Traditional BCDs wrap around your torso and can become uncomfortable or even compress your chest when inflated. This is especially problematic with the added bulk of a twinset, and can in some cases restrict movement and accessibility to the front of the diver. Wings prevent this. �
Do you have a question about dive training, kit or safety for the Two Sophies to answer? Email SCUBA Editor Simon Rogerson, simon @ scubamagazine. co. uk
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