How to Build a Backplate & Harness System (BP/W) | Master Series

The surge in popularity of the backplate and wing-style buoyancy compensator in mainstream diving has led to a dilution of its original simplicity and purpose. Rooted in the Woodville Karst Plain Project of the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Doing It Right (D.I.R) approach to scuba diving emerged, emphasizing fundamental skills and minimalistic equipment configurations.
This video revisits the origins and correct setup of the backplate and wing system, advocating for a balance between adherence to the principles of D.I.R and flexibility. It emphasizes constructing gear from individual components for a deeper understanding and customization.
Key components and assembly techniques are detailed, including the backplate, harness, D-rings, inflator hose slider, and crotch strap. Adjustments are crucial for ensuring comfort and stability underwater. Removal of excess webbing and crafting of custom components are also explained.
By understanding and implementing these principles, divers can achieve optimal performance and safety while preserving the essence of simplicity and purpose in their equipment setup.
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00:06 The Origins
01:16 The Components
03:46 The Assembly
13:30 Correct Sizing & Adjustment
15:19 Trimming of Webbing
15:52 The Fishermans Knot
16:33 Construct the crotch strap

Пікірлер: 49

  • @wegothooked2610
    @wegothooked261017 күн бұрын

    I cannot stress how much I adore this channel. Undoubtedly, it stands out as the sole scuba channel offering top-notch information! I've been a dedicated follower for months, implementing every bit of knowledge into my diving... Surpassing the combined learning from all the courses I've ever taken.

  • @flowstatedivers

    @flowstatedivers

    17 күн бұрын

    Our pleasure!

  • @nitromax5150

    @nitromax5150

    17 күн бұрын

    I agree

  • @miks8

    @miks8

    16 күн бұрын

    I cannot stress enough how much I agree with this comment!

  • @darylkrause9376
    @darylkrause93762 күн бұрын

    If anyone has a doubt as to whether you are receiving the right information..... I spent the last 3yrs on sourcing information as I attempt to build a professional career in scuba. Saving and rewatching countless manufacturers videos, pdf's, other creators' content, and in person visits to build a knowledge base. The only reason I don't feel as I've wasted my time before finding their videos is you have to suffer some failures to truly appreciate a win. This is winning content!!!

  • @flowstatedivers

    @flowstatedivers

    2 күн бұрын

    Great to read such feedback and it's good that someone appreciates the content we put out :) thanks!

  • @whitefury3777
    @whitefury377717 күн бұрын

    A beautiful and simple explanation of something a lot of divers may be intimidated by. Thank you for this!! Keep up the great work!

  • @flowstatedivers

    @flowstatedivers

    17 күн бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it!

  • @richardwilson1937
    @richardwilson193717 күн бұрын

    I never thought I could be so entertained watching someone assemble a backplate but I was! You guys always nail it. Loved the bit about the WKPP at the start.

  • @flowstatedivers

    @flowstatedivers

    Күн бұрын

    Thanks so much for taking the time, watching our video :)

  • @MrNeobuxer
    @MrNeobuxer17 күн бұрын

    I've been diving for 15 years with backplates, yet I enjoyed this video so much as If it's the first time I ever see one. I also enjoyed the precise adjustments standard in serious agencies GUE, UTD, ISE

  • @flowstatedivers

    @flowstatedivers

    17 күн бұрын

    Thanks very much and we are glad you enjoyed this video. We are working hard on delivering more so stay tuned! :)

  • @AlohaWaterMan
    @AlohaWaterMan17 күн бұрын

    say no more - pls bring an oscar award to this youtube channel.

  • @flowstatedivers

    @flowstatedivers

    17 күн бұрын

    haha :) thanks a lot

  • @Babmajom88
    @Babmajom8817 күн бұрын

    Another amazing video! Educational, no bullshit, real helpful tips, clear instructions!! And on top of it all, perfect timing as I'm just about to buy parts and setup my own harness, so it's extremely useful as I'm not gonna buy anything I don't need, and I know exactly what and how to do to have the best system! Thank you guys for the hard work you do to educate all divers out there!

  • @CPhillips88
    @CPhillips8817 күн бұрын

    I've just adjusted my BP&W based on your excellent recommendations. Looking forward to trying it out in the water, thank you!

  • @flowstatedivers

    @flowstatedivers

    17 күн бұрын

    That's amazing! I'm sure it will work out great! Let us know :)

  • @Shems-D
    @Shems-D16 күн бұрын

    As always a pure pleasure to see your video the best scuba diving Chanel by far !! Keep going and thank you for every minute of your video.

  • @flowstatedivers

    @flowstatedivers

    16 күн бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @mustafamaged9112
    @mustafamaged911217 күн бұрын

    Guys you're truly the best diving content out there! I am always happy to see a new video notification or even watch old videos over and over, absolute scuba gold! Please keep up the greeaaat work!

  • @flowstatedivers

    @flowstatedivers

    17 күн бұрын

    Wow, thanks! Much appreciated!

  • @harambeexpress
    @harambeexpress17 күн бұрын

    Not all backplates have 3 holes at the top unfortunately. My preference is to have 3, but many have just two. I think even some Halcyon ones only have 2. Also holes around the edge of the backplate should be spaced in a standard manner to allow for a lift-bag pocket. I think Tecline, XDeep, DTD and Halcyon. I just picked up a Mares XR aluminium plate (with not-quite standard lift bag pouch holes) that weighs 634g because with drysuit (thin undergarments) and steel twinset I was slightly overweighted with a steel backplate (2.4kg, XDeep) as I had "forfeited the ability to control buoyancy with breath control" as you have previously put it. Awesome video. I tend to reference Innerspace Explorers videos, but this is yet another of yours I will recommend to people.

  • @albertokusmic9239
    @albertokusmic923917 күн бұрын

    Great explanation and top notch footage, as usual. Thanks for sharing! 👌

  • @alessandromarrocco5854
    @alessandromarrocco585417 күн бұрын

    Thankyou! best scuba channel on the web, amazing!

  • @nitromax5150
    @nitromax515017 күн бұрын

    I love my back plate

  • @PanamaDiveAdventure
    @PanamaDiveAdventure17 күн бұрын

    De los mejores videos que he visto de cómo configurar un backplate, los felicito por su trabajo. Mis mejores deseos para ustedes.

  • @flowstatedivers

    @flowstatedivers

    17 күн бұрын

    ¡Muchas gracias y nos alegra que hayas disfrutado nuestro video!

  • @PanamaDiveAdventure

    @PanamaDiveAdventure

    17 күн бұрын

    Honestamente disfruto mucho de sus videos, los invito a que me sigan en mi canal de KZread, está dedicado a la comunidad de buceo de habla hispana

  • @miks8
    @miks816 күн бұрын

    I went back to my backplate config to confirm that I have rigged it properly - thanks for tips that are always unique & value adding. I always learn and improve something from every video! That is amazing! Please do more DIR videos and the history behind that , its super insightful

  • @flowstatedivers

    @flowstatedivers

    16 күн бұрын

    Thanks for watching! Part 2 is coming up shortly so stay tuned 😉

  • @LordF100
    @LordF1008 күн бұрын

    Awesome Video and Content! 🎉

  • @flowstatedivers

    @flowstatedivers

    8 күн бұрын

    Thanks, glad you enjoyed! Stay tuned as we will be releasing a lot of new content soon.

  • @TheodoreJudah
    @TheodoreJudah16 күн бұрын

    I abandoned my jacket bcd after 20 dives because my curiosity led me to DIR and I made my own BP/W. Soon after I converted my wife too!

  • @flowstatedivers

    @flowstatedivers

    16 күн бұрын

    Smart decision. There's absolutely no legitimate justification for even continuing the production of Jacket BCs let alone using them. We included a glimpse of history in the video to underscore its significance for all divers. By doing so, we aim to foster a sense of common understanding, leading to a natural inclination toward sensible choices and hopefully more divers will be open to positive change just like yourself. Keep it up!

  • @paradome8435

    @paradome8435

    16 күн бұрын

    this was an eye opener to me, I'm browsing the web to order the bits, can't wait to get going with this!

  • @rafaeltab
    @rafaeltab8 күн бұрын

    I am very curious, what is your guys recommended setup for side mount diving?

  • @flowstatedivers

    @flowstatedivers

    8 күн бұрын

    We are working on a whole sidemount series, so stay tuned for that 😉

  • @rafaeltab

    @rafaeltab

    8 күн бұрын

    ​@@flowstatedivers Very very excited! Hoping to come to teneriffe for sidemount somewhere soon!

  • @miks8
    @miks816 күн бұрын

    What about softpads for backplates? I have been trying to find one that would fit my plate but unsuccessful. It doesnt seem like it introduces unnecessary complexity to the gear setup, while it seems like it would protect my drysuit from unnecessary puncture/scratch damage of the screws. What would be the argument against using padding on the backplate?

  • @flowstatedivers

    @flowstatedivers

    15 күн бұрын

    We aim to maintain the setup as minimal as possible, so padding isn't suitable for our needs. The problem with backplate padding arises from its direct attachment to the harness, which unnecessarily complicates webbing adjustments. In the case of twinsets, constant interaction with the screws prior to dives is necessary. If padding covers them, partial removal is required each time which is a real pain. A properly set-up system won't directly harm your drysuit, so I fail to see the necessity for any of these additions personally.

  • @MegaEpicLlama

    @MegaEpicLlama

    11 күн бұрын

    ​@@flowstatediversI haven't seen padding threaded or interfering with the webbing. Most brands have them bolted to the plate only. I leave the bottom of my padding unbolted, so I can reach my twin or STA bolts without issues. I can reach both the top ones and bottom ones without having to remove the padding this way.

  • @mgelax
    @mgelax2 күн бұрын

    Which d ring do you recommend to use the serrated tri-glide? I didn’t catch that in the video and I can’t see since it never zoomed in. I’m guessing on the shoulder d rings. What about a welded/fixed d ring? Some people use those so they always point down.

  • @flowstatedivers

    @flowstatedivers

    2 күн бұрын

    The serrated tri-glides are engineered to endure heavy loads, and their optimal placement is at the base of the backplate where the shoulder loop terminates. This location is crucial because without them, the adjustments to the shoulder loop can shift due to the cylinder's weight. Fixed d-rings aren't recommended. You should be able to interact with your d-rings without visual reference and when you can turn them 180 degrees relative to the webbing, it will make the process much easier and intuitive.

  • @mgelax

    @mgelax

    2 күн бұрын

    @@flowstatedivers Thanks! It wasn't entirely clear in the video! And no matter how "standardized" everyone thinks it is, there still seems to be a lot of variation in the little details (and some strong opinions to match!)

  • @mgelax

    @mgelax

    2 күн бұрын

    @@flowstatedivers Which backplate do you recommend for a very short, very thin diver? My daughter is just under 155 cm and very, very thin (38-40kg). She needs very little weight when wearing a 3mm full size wetsuit (1/2 kg in weight pockets) is often enough. There aren't many options for short BPs, though there are some in steel and only one company I can find that makes a short Al plate. I want to switch her over to a BPW, but I want to make the transition easier for her. She is currently in a Zeagle Ranger Jr BCD (back-inflate style) and has never used a jacket style, so she's used to all the lift being behind her. Your thoughts?

  • @flowstatedivers

    @flowstatedivers

    2 күн бұрын

    ​@@mgelax She isn't even that short. We recently had a student with the same height, except she is 34 years old, and she was satisfied with the Mares XR Aluminium (3mm) backplate. It's one of the shortest models we've encountered, and it's also extremely lightweight, allowing you to use trim weights.

  • @flowstatedivers

    @flowstatedivers

    2 күн бұрын

    @@mgelax { 15.75 in | 40.0 cm } high and { 10.63 in | 27.0 cm } wide at the base, { 8.75 in | 22.2 cm } wide at the top before the corner curve, with "V" depth of { 1.6 in | 4.1 cm } & 3 mm version weighs approximately { 1.5 lb | 0.66 kg }.