Which bp/w for a woman?

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guitarmaker
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Which bp/w for a woman?

Post by guitarmaker »

I'm looking to purchase a bp/w for my daughter who's about 5'5" and I'm wondering if I need to buy one of the shorter plates for her or if a standard will work? Also, does anyone have a recommendation for a wing? 99% of her diving will be done with my hp 100's.
I would guess this topic has already been covered but I couldn't find it - sorry.

Thanks,

Ron
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Cheers!

Ron
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citycatred
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Re: Which bp/w for a woman?

Post by citycatred »

I'm 5'7" and use the Hog 32 Doughnut wing and a DSS Stainless steel medium backplate while diving my HP 100. So far no problems.
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Jeff Pack
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Re: Which bp/w for a woman?

Post by Jeff Pack »

Dive Right EXP I have is 35 doughnut. Big enough for Steel tanks, but still small enough for travel and warm water.
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CaptnJack
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Re: Which bp/w for a woman?

Post by CaptnJack »

I'd suggest measuring her back length (like you would for a backpack). At 5'5" she's on the cusp of going with a short plate or a medium one. An overly long plate can dig into the tops of her hip bones. Obviously if she's still growing a little then a medium is probably a good idea.
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coulterboy
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Re: Which bp/w for a woman?

Post by coulterboy »

CaptnJack wrote:I'd suggest measuring her back length (like you would for a backpack). At 5'5" she's on the cusp of going with a short plate or a medium one. An overly long plate can dig into the tops of her hip bones. Obviously if she's still growing a little then a medium is probably a good idea.
+1. I'm only 5'6", and I use a regular size SS Highland Mills BP with a matching STA. It doesn't bother me at all with regard to pinching my lower back. I also use a HOG 32 lb. donut wing and it works flawlessly.

Like CaptnJack said, measure her back or let her try putting on a regular size BP with a tank on, and let her walk around and see if it fits right. Her height has nothing to do with it. As we all know, there are a lot of tall people with a short torso, or vice versa, and the same goes for shorter peeps.

Divegearexpress.com is selling a smaller size BP (2 inches shorter). I think it's a DiveRite brand.

Good luck!
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LCF
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Re: Which bp/w for a woman?

Post by LCF »

I'm 5'4", and a medium plate works for me. The short plate, which I have, has the waistband a bit too high. Unless your daughter is VERY short-waisted, I think a medium will be fine.

I use the DSS 30 lb horseshoe wing with an HP 100, and it seems to work very well.

BTW, Bubbles Below is a local DSS dealer, if you want to go try the plate on your daughter and see how it works.
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seainggreen
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Re: Which bp/w for a woman?

Post by seainggreen »

+1 for the regular sized plate. I'm 5'6" and a regular ol' plate works just fine. :)
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selkie
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Re: Which bp/w for a woman?

Post by selkie »

LCF wrote:I'm 5'4", and a medium plate works for me. The short plate, which I have, has the waistband a bit too high. Unless your daughter is VERY short-waisted, I think a medium will be fine.

I use the DSS 30 lb horseshoe wing with an HP 100, and it seems to work very well.

BTW, Bubbles Below is a local DSS dealer, if you want to go try the plate on your daughter and see how it works.
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Re: Which bp/w for a woman?

Post by guitarmaker »

Thank to all of you for your reply's, its very helpful and appreciated.
Cheers!

Ron
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LCF
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Re: Which bp/w for a woman?

Post by LCF »

"Local" -- yeah, oops. Didn't look at the location for the OP, just assumed it was PNW. He can probably do better just ordering directly from DSS.
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spatman
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Re: Which bp/w for a woman?

Post by spatman »

LCF wrote:"Local" -- yeah, oops. Didn't look at the location for the OP, just assumed it was PNW.
Hey now, Oregon is part of the PNW!
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Re: Which bp/w for a woman?

Post by mtrautman »

spatman wrote:
LCF wrote:"Local" -- yeah, oops. Didn't look at the location for the OP, just assumed it was PNW.
Hey now, Oregon is part of the PNW!
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