How many instructors use a BP/Wing?

[Clanggedin]

I am planning on getting my instuctor c-card in the future, and I am curious to know how many dive instructors use a BP/Wing when they teach.

If you do teach with a BP/Wing. How long did you use a BCD before you switched?

[Dive-aholic]

I use a BP/W. I haven't used a BCD in years. I was already in BP/W when I became an instructor. The one caveat is if you plan on teaching for a shop, they may try to make you teach in a BCD. The shop I used to be associated with tried that with me. I went independent at that point.

[woody]

As backplates become more common, you should see less resistance to this.

I teach the first day of the pool session with the same BCD (rental off the wall) - I cover BCD Skills.
Then I switch to my backplate/Wing and a Standard Reg Set for the Second Day - I'm still working on reg skills at this point.
At the lake I use my Backplate/Wing and Long hose reg while doing checkouts. - Since the demos are over they get to see the full setup.

[divingbuddy]

I use a BC only in the pool - a back inflate Mares Jubilee

I use a BP/wing when teaching in the open water (regardless of which course).

I think it is a valuable learning opportunity for students to see (and try if they so wish) different gear setups/configurations.

Just my two cents....Cheers!

[Puffer Fish]

Originally Posted by divingbuddy

I use a BC only in the pool - a back inflate Mares Jubilee

I use a BP/wing when teaching in the open water (regardless of which course).

I think it is a valuable learning opportunity for students to see (and try if they so wish) different gear setups/configurations.

Just my two cents....Cheers!

Nice to see your post and the ones above it, it means that times are changing to the good.

I did the same....

[RECDiver]

I will use a Transpac with a Venture wing in the summer months, then a BP/RecWing when I am in my 7mm wetsuit or drysuit. However, when teaching pool sessions I will use a jacket BCD for demonstrating skills.

[Lake Diver]

aren't they the same concept?? Inflator hose push buttons are the same right!?! Am I missing something??

[woody]

Originally Posted by Lake Diver

aren't they the same concept?? Inflater hose push buttons are the same right!?! Am I missing something??

Different BCD's have different pull dump locations. Also my inflater hose is bungee'd down and that makes the "lift the inflater over your head and release air" method a little difficult to demonstrate.

The Students will learn better by seeing you do it not hearing how you would do it if you had on their equipment on.

[CDNdiver]

I use the BCD in the pool while demonstrating BCD skills...dumping air as mentioned by Woody and gear removal. For open water class at the lake I use my BP/W with a standard reg setup so as not to confuse students with a long hose and necklace but for any other classes (ie. Advanced) I use the long hose reg setup. Most students taking Advanced or other continuing ed classes are comfortable enough to explore and learn about different configurations.

[Clanggedin]

OK so if I am planning on going professional within the next few years then should I learn how to dive with a BCD first then switch to a BP/W when I get more dives or can I start with a BP/W and just get a BCD so I can teach the pool sessions using it?