How To Set Up A New Backplate and Wing

So excited to watch this!

Weird. I literally just got a new BP and wing the other day. Stop reading my mind, man.

Good video

Great info and tips as always. Thanks for sharing.

Great tips bro 🤙 I love my Wing & Backplate 😃 for me I had to find the perfect high for the cam bands so I didn’t bang my head on my first stage because I went from one cam band on my rogue bcd to having 2 of them on my wing and backplate

Do you use this style of BCD more?

Thanks man. Great info.

Great as usual! But you’re going to loose the bungies every time you use the dsmb. No?

Since this is for a single tank set up do you just get a double wing and put that on for twins?

Hey, i like your videos, but four shoulder d-rings and a loose crotch strap is just wrong..also for recreational diving. come on man, you can do better than that. ;)

Great vid (as always). I’ve recently gotten to a point where I have gotten rid of all weights and the backplate itself is sufficient to get me negatively buoyant and get down. Another diver recently told me that isn’t safe, as a diver should always have weights to release to get me back up. What are your thoughts on that?

I just started using a BPW in cold water. I built it heavy with SS plate and big weight pouches I added a SS Single tank Adapter and bolted weight to the plate. It works well for cold water diving with a double 7 mm wetsuit. I am now looking to put together a travel BPW with the lightest materials possible. Do you have any experience with the soft backplates and do I really need a STA. or should I stick with an aluminum plate and STA ? I will be looking for all aluminum sliders and d rings along with a single plastic tank cam to keep the weight down.

Great I am looking to get into a backplate and wing in the near future

I just got the same one for diving up here in the PNW. I also got the LX2 12lb Weight System. Love it! No regrets. Enjoy the backplate you have a winner!

No ditchable weight?

How much extra harness do you leave on the waist? Do you trim your harness “belt” at all? (Funny I too just got my own first bpw. Love it compared to the jacket!)

I hate to say this... that plate is just set up so wrong in so many ways...

Cant wait to see your evaluation of this baby underwater!
Will be trying mine in may 2022 … No ICE diving for me ;-)

OMS harness works better with Hollis. I learned in that setup but bought the ScubaPro hydros pro

Working at a dive centre as a DMC I have asked many people why they dive a backplate with various responses, but nothing that would make me switch to one. But now watching this, I understand the versatility and I will be trying one soon

I'm super exited to see the Hollis ST system being used for this video. We were early adopters of the ST 35 system and have been diving it since August. Being my first wing I wasn't sure if we had made the right adjustments. After seeing your great video I feel like going back and make some minor changes. I cannot wait for your opinion after diving it.

Not sure if you are into DIR, but would be nice to see you setup one of these like that. GUE will show you how, but you don't remember 3 years later.

Just got back from our second dive trip. We finally made it back to Bonaire. My wife was starting to notice all the issues with her BCD that would be solved by a BPW style. Great video.

Shocker!! #28 is under 5 minutes !!!

thanks James, watched this for the 2nd time now as I am looking to switch to BPW. As a recreational diver that travels to the Caribbean, an Aluminum plate seems like something I would want (fit in carry-on bag?). a few questions for BPW users: Would this Hollis ST be good for a new BPW owner? And if using AL plate, would adding integrated weights be recommend for the belt or attached to plate? I have read about both.

Great timing on this video. I just upgraded to a drysuit this week and my next planned upgrade is to go from a jacket bcd to a backplate and wing and the Holis backplate is currently on my Amazon wish list :)

It’s been a couple months, how do you like this BP and harness? I’m considering buying one.

should get your hands on a Xdeep NX project or Zen and review it.

Thank you! The tips for the DSMB and the light I never thought of. I have a hollis backplate set up and I was out of the water for a while so I don't remember if I learned these ticks to keep things tucked away. I also I think I'll be investing in trim weight pockets

Great video! Always enjoy seeing how others set up their rig.

Any updates on the review of the ST Elite 35? I’m looking at buying this exact setup!

Can you link that thick shock cord bungee? I can’t find thicker bungee on Amazon like that

Hey @Divers ready love the video! Any news on the review for the system? I’m looking into my first BP/W and am thinking about this system mainly for the mid way 35lb wing size.

It looks super tight under your arms in your armpits. Any rashing? Would a custom backplate give you more room?

Hi Divers Ready. Love the channel, i've learned a lot from it. I have been diving with a backplate for about two years now, and one thing I don't like is getting in and out, it is somewhat difficult since harness isn't adjustable on the fly. I saw some slidebars that can be added to bottom straps where I can adjust it on the fly. Do you have any experience with using these slide bars? Are they going to help or will they end up making the straps just lose and difficult to steady trim? Thank you.

Crutch strap when using it to clip into a DPV, what are your thoughts on how tight it should be?

I've been thinking about going to this very wing. It's a toss up right now between the Hollis ST-35 and the Hollis HD-200.

great video answer alot of question.

Nice tips ! Thanks 👍

Great video.

On your backplate and wing do you not put a sternum strap? Or have you ever had to put one on before?

Hi James, Just bought my first BPW - a Cressi Aquwawing Pro - it has 2 camband non dump trim pockets and 2 belt dumpable weight pockets - I have 2 questions - 1) Do you mount your trim weights on the upper or lower camband, and 2) What percentage distribution to you apply the trim weights vs belt weights 30% trim and 70% belt? or 50% each

Just got my first BPW, this was helpful.

No offence dude, but you come across as an arrogant cnut in most of your videos. I'm saying this to get constructive feedback but take it however you want.

Thanks for tips and suggestions!

I’ve been watching you for several years, and I just got my first backplate and wing this month. This video was great and I appreciate you sharing your knowledge.

I built mine with a Hollis stainless (208.1295.000) plate and a Dive Rite XT Voyager, ScubaPro cam bands, love it.

@diversready. Is there a way to add a buckle to 1 side (left ) for easy getting in and out ?