The Backplate...

[IowaCaveDiver]

I read a post awhile ago where I think we all were debating the transition into sidemounting and how everyone is doing it and then it went into a discussion of different bcd's/rigs the people were using, and I recall a few posts saying that the backplate had to go...... it has sat on my mind for a few days and I ask why? I recently started sidemounting, and I have to say i've fallen in love with this form of diving, but I havn't given up my backplate/harness/wing and set of doubles, there are still many applications for them. Just thought i'd stir the pot and see what people thought on this... is the backplate/wing dying? Cave divers/tech divers like things simple and safe....how much more simple can you get than a solid steel backplate and a single piece of webbing with a wing... any thoughts?

[lonestarfl]

I read a post awhile ago where I think we all were debating the transition into sidemounting and how everyone is doing it and then it went into a discussion of different bcd's/rigs the people were using, and I recall a few posts saying that the backplate had to go...... it has sat on my mind for a few days and I ask why? I recently started sidemounting, and I have to say i've fallen in love with this form of diving, but I havn't given up my backplate/harness/wing and set of doubles, there are still many applications for them. Just thought i'd stir the pot and see what people thought on this... is the backplate/wing dying? Cave divers/tech divers like things simple and safe....how much more simple can you get than a solid steel backplate and a single piece of webbing with a wing... any thoughts?

For the most flexible/lowest profile rig the back plate has to go....but you can get 80-90% of the advantages of sidemount and still have your back plate. I know two proficient sidemount divers that still use their backplate. Neither has called a dive with me and my Transpack derived rig because they couldn't follow me.
Lee

[IowaCaveDiver]

I would agree that for sidemount, a backplate is not ideal, but I guess i was under the impression that people thought the plate should be gone or replaced even for application of diving a set of doubles.... i don't see any other way to really dive doubles, at least not anything better. I'd say for sidemount you'd want to shy away from a backplate because you wouldn't have the flexibility you might need to get get through some of the tight squeezes.... i'm just thinking outloud, i probably don't make much sense, just bored i guess.

[skip]

the backmount will never die. too many good applications for it. with back mount (does back mount require a backplate?) you can still carry two sidemount cylinders. i question the manifold. the manifold has two more points of potential failure than independent doubles back-mounted. i've heard sidemount divers claim this as a good reason for side mount: it provides independent double redundancy. but then you don't have access to all the air in both cylinders... confusing. so is the manifold on the way out? there is a trade-off (duh). i get a bit confused trying to "see" how independent doubles (sidemount) and manifold back mount and more than two cylinders all conspire to create the safety/risk ratio. toss in different divers with different configurations and cylinder sizes and it all just goes to mush for me. but then, i'm new to cave diving.... maybe those with more experience have clearer understanding?

but i do know a place where backmounted tanks won't let you in.... you can take them off and leave them (not the best idea), push them ahead, or go sidemount. jeeesh, maybe it's best to tailor your gear to the dive?
I heard once that DIR was prohibitive and that DW2 (Do What Works) was the way to go.

[JDR]

Would you mind posting a picture of your rig?
It would be interesting to see what you are doing.

[IowaCaveDiver]

I'd agree with all that you've said.... especially about the possiblity of the isolation bar heading out.... why not use independant doubles? I suppose the reason we still have the isolation bar is that if you loose one regulator you would loose that whole tank without it.... at least with the isolation manifold you can "isolate" the problem and most times still have access to the remainder of your air supply. I my opinion, i think doubles with the manifold will be around, but we'll see a lot more divers going to sidemount because of the versatility and increased safety factors... at least if you loose a regulator on sidemount you can still save the air. I'm going to start diving an H-valve on my left side bottle for redundancy and an extra level of safety for solo stuff. It will be very interesting where cave training goes in the next ten years.... as the popularity increases and more cave divers are trained, I wonder if any training agencies would go to a sidemount configuration. Is it possible to get cave certified without learning to backmount? Seems like it couldn't hurt.... anyway, back to the daily grind.

[Rich]

I'd agree with all that you've said.... especially about the possiblity of the isolation bar heading out.... why not use independant doubles? I suppose the reason we still have the isolation bar is that if you loose one regulator you would loose that whole tank without it.... at least with the isolation manifold you can "isolate" the problem and most times still have access to the remainder of your air supply. I my opinion, i think doubles with the manifold will be around, but we'll see a lot more divers going to sidemount because of the versatility and increased safety factors... at least if you loose a regulator on sidemount you can still save the air. I'm going to start diving an H-valve on my left side bottle for redundancy and an extra level of safety for solo stuff. It will be very interesting where cave training goes in the next ten years.... as the popularity increases and more cave divers are trained, I wonder if any training agencies would go to a sidemount configuration. Is it possible to get cave certified without learning to backmount? Seems like it couldn't hurt.... anyway, back to the daily grind.

Lately, I've seen a growing trend of people diving doubles with just a crossbar (no isolator).....

BTW check your PM about the tank fills

Safe diving,

Rich

[Deep-Thief]

Back mounts are here to stay for non restrictive dives. Why wouldn't you want an isolator? Independents are fine but you have to keep up with which reg you have in your mouth and your pressure alot more than with manifolds. Yeh Yeh on the two extra points of failure. You already have 10-15 whats the point? What safety factors do you gain by going to independents? Seems that all you gain is task loading on yourself. Just thought I'd throw out something to chew on.

[NitroxWarrior]

I've seen serveral cave entraces that are too small and round for side mounting to fit between. The old setup is not yet obsolete in my eye

[skip]

I don't have a picture handy, but guess now that you asked i'll get one. But my rig is traditional back mount. I do also have independent doubles for backmount. Same regs, but I add a pressure gauge to the left tank that is not present with the manifold doubles. I also dive with a sidemount sump diver in tennessee and being new to cave diving have worried about how much gas he will have for me should I have a catastrophic manifold failure. Back mounted independent doubles and side mount independent doubles are the same in terms of available gas supply, absence of manifold, and task loading (switching regs). By the way, the indie doubles are old and were my way of diving doubles without the expense of dedicated doubles and manifold.

I see that if sidemount diver keeps 2/3's for return he could hand off one tank to poor gasless me and we both could exit safely. right? but then what if one of his tanks fail and my manifold blows? so now we have only half of what is needed for both to exit...right? I guess this could go on ad infinitum....