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George wrote: > Gregg, I am replying to you and the list on the > choice of wings. Yes, you did answer your own > question - if you use aluminum 80's , you don't > need to use two sets of wings. The other problem, > using "decorated" wings is answered in a similar way - > if you use the aluminm 80's you don't need to jack > the wings. If you watch your buddy's wings, you will > see that they all tend to conform around the tank > and do not stick out. The manufacturers putting > cute little string arrangements on them is to > satisfy their own "belief" that the wings stick out > straight, like on an airplane. This brings out my > favorite recommendation, and that is that people > who design this stuff should try diving with it > sometime. George, If one is diving tanks larger than alu 80's it's a good idea to have both extra buoyancy in a BC (eg, large capacity bag) and also have the BC kept to as low-drag a profile as possible. Also, if one is carrying stage bottles (particularly steel), the extra buoyancy of a larger bag may be critical. I doubt that manufacturers believe that their "...wings stick out straight, like on an airplane." Rather, I think the "..cute little strings...on them [BC's]..." is a way to prevent drag and also the cutting of the BC in tight areas. Personally, various equipment of mine has gotten sliced inside wrecks. This has come about because the gear has presented too much of a profile. BC's are high on this list. The buoyancy requirements of my rig (double steel tanks, ranging from 95's to 15 litre, with double stage bottles, ranging from alu 80's to steel 12 litre, argon inflation bottle, and 30 cu ft oxygen bottle, DUI BC, no weight belt or max 8 pound belt - exact configuration depending on the type of dive and depth, etc.) at depths from 120 to 300 + feet means that my bag will be up and over my tanks, if not kept down with "...cute little strings...." As far as your "...favorite recommendation...that...people who design this stuff should try diving with it sometime" I will add the following: I believe John Griffith (owner of OMS) first put out the dual bladder BC with "...cute little strings...." I dove with John on several dives, including three on the "Andrea Doria" in 1991 where we picked up over 100 artifacts from the second class china closet in 200 + feet. After our dives, we discussed high gear profiles, the possibility of getting our BC's cut, and the experiences of a fellow diver, who had a hose cut inside another wreck. Low profile was definitely desirable. John sells gear that works, based on his own and others' experiences, in addition to feedback from divers. John dives the gear he sells. Based on my knowledge of Dive-Rite and the people running it, they also dive the gear they sell. And, by-the-way, on a recent 300 foot + wreck dive in Europe, I was politely asked by my hosts to use the dual bladder BC with the "...cute little strings...." And you know what? I was greatfull for the low drag! Don't knock stuff 'till you've tried it in different environments. Every piece of gear has its place. Bernie Chowdhury
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