Hi,
My husbaand who has been diving forever wants to know if they frown on diving with just a backpack and no BC

Most will on boat dives, it's a safety thing.

On one trip to Bonaire a gentleman dove with just a backplate holding his tank and weightbelt, no BC. Did not seem to even spark a conversation.

Hi Monica.. I remember well the days of diving with just a backpack & no BC..If memory serves me correctly however, that was more than 25-30 years ago! If he did shore dives, no one would care. But in my opinion, for the life of me I don't know why someone would dive without one.

Buoyancy control is an absolute vital skill to have on Bonaire & using a BC is the only realistic way I know to do this. So I suspect it would be frowned upon by the divemasters on the boats who are under a strong mandate to protect the reefs.

Thanks for the info everyone.

Monica, I know quite a few folks that dive with backplates (backpacks). You may want to email the dive shop you will be using and ask if they have any protocol in regard to backplate/backpacks.

Have a great trip!

Maybe there is confusion here...I dive with a backplate too, but I have a wing on it, thus controllable buoyancy. The issue is not a backplate versus a BCD (which often means a jacket-style thing with integrated bladder), but rather no controllable buoyancy (i.e., no BCD or no wing) versus some way to control one's buoyancy.

I learned on a backpack with no buoyancy device...but in those days we weren't trying so hard to protect the reef, and there were no Marine Parks!

- Mel

I am fairly sure that most operators would be concerned with a backpack only (aka state of that art gear circa 1975). If for no other reason that the inablity to have peak bouyancy control.

He could always rent a jacket style BC and just never inflate it.

Of course, on a shore dive who has to know? Hmm, I still have mine (I think) up in the attic so maybe next trip...

Be clear please. A backplate and wing will be no problem at all. A backplate without a wing will likely cause some concern when you do your checkout dive, as buoyancy is one of the reasons for a checkout dive.

Ross..I suspect that Monica is simply referring to the old style backpacks without any type of flotation device. Heck they even had "Mae West" type vests when I started to dive. When she indicates "my husband has been diving forever" that says to me he still has equipment which is... how should I say...anachronistic or prehistoric?

Vince, Horsecollar was the floatation device and if you had to use it in an emergency it would kill ya! Always carried a used CO2 in mine for odvious reasons... Ron

Ron...Dam you were smarter than I was (but I was only 13)...
I always had the CO2 cartridge in place..
Duh...Fortunately I never had to activate it..

Well, one question nobody has asked the OP is how good her husband's buoyancy is with just the backpack and no wing. If he's been diving forever, it _is _ possible that he has good buoyancy control in this gear setup.

It seems from reading this and other diving websites, that even _with_ a BC to control buoyancy, some new divers - and even some experienced ones - are overweighted and crash into the bottom and into delicate marine life. It's certainly been noted on the reefcam from time to time.

This overweighting may start when they first learn to dive, and continue until they take some kind of peak buoyancy course, like the one offered by the estimable Bruce Bowker at Carib Inn.

I know I may be stirring a pot here :-)

I would agree that wearing a BC does not insure that one has good bouyancy. I also agree that this is a skill not all divers easily master.

I am still not sure what the reluctance is to use a BC. His bouyancy control may be great (even in spite of the bouyancy changes that take place as the tank is emptied and changes in wetsuit bouyancy with depth).

In the old days, people did not use depth (why would you need that when colored ribbons tell you what you need to know) or pressure gauges (why would you need that if you have the much more prudent j valve) and no one but an instructor ever had an octo (that is just an another expense -- buddy breathing work just as well).

A BC holds the tank well, often has pockets to store things in, acts as surface flotation and, in most cases, also helps underwater. You can always leave it 100% uninflated if that floats you boat. (My first BC was an early power inflate USD horse collar. With the CO2 cartridge. Of course, I really wished I could have afforded the very cool Fenzy. A modded version is at http://cedu2.tripod.com/fenzy.htm )

I believe we are all missing one very important Bonairean thing - Diving Freedom. If the man can demonstrate the skills necessary to control his buoyancy who are we to say what he should and shouldn't wear?

I learned my buoyancy control from Bruce Bowker in 1992 and followed his way of controlling my buoyancy ever since.

Personally, I never put air in my BC. I attach, yes attach, 4 pounds of weight to the top strap of my BC and only wear 2 pounds on my belt (sometimes no belt). My body weight has ranged from 89 kg to 107 kg. I started diving with 18 pounds and got about a 40 minute average dive. Now I can dive for 70 plus, same profile....

As Bruce always said, the more you work the more you breathe, the more you breathe, the more you work...so on and so on. And soon your tank is empty. Soon being the key word. Less weight, less work.

Diving Freedom - that's what it's all about. This man may or may not be good with his buoyancy, but we'll never know, so who are we to judge and tell him what to wear - or not. That's why the checkout dive is important. Let them decide.

Barry..I really don't think anyone is telling him "what to wear - or not". I believe this thread solicited input from the readers & input is what they got. If he wants to dive without a BC, many of us couldn't care less.

If I see someone diving without some sort of BC device, PERSONALLY I'll think they're a bit off the wall. Yes it's my personal prerogative to judge. We all judge, either consciously or not.
When I see other divers I always check how they wear their equipment. Perhaps I'll learn something, perhaps not.

Conversely, a divemaster on a boat may very well care & that would then be their prerogative.

What happened to Monica? Did we scare her away? Monica, please come back We are an opinionated group at times, but very nice I hope some of the information in the replies helped!

Here I am!!!
No worry's. I love all the opinions. The hubby scuba's at Lake Powell, Ut with out BC for years. Just curious when we go to Bonaire what he should bring when we shore dive. He does love the freedom. He just bought two new BC Sea Quest Fusion and a travel Mares one that was such a good deal he could not pass it up. He loves it all...
So fun. We are going to Bonaire on Friday we have been packed for a week now. Can't wait. I am new to diving and I am still practicing my bouncy control (with my BC of course)
This has been a fun thread and here I come Bonaire...

I ment to say buoyancy not bouncy...dah...

monica - not to worry - when I was new to diving it was "Bouncy" control. ;-) Have a GREAT trip.

I like the sound of bouncy control. I'm switching to bouncy control. (Just being silly, Monica...don't mind me!)

Monica..No matter where you're staying, I'm sure you'll love Bonaire. Be sure to post a trip report when you return & let us all know how you did!
I kinda like "bouncy control" also. I get a visual in my mind's eye :>)