BCD keeps sliding up

[Nemrod]

OP, you will probably need to purchase a new BC that fits your size, it sounds as if it is much too large or very poorly adjusted. Being properly weighted and having good horizontal trim will further reduce the tendency to ride up on you. Overweighted, the BC will have air in it to compensate. This will cause you to rotate to a vertical position from which the BC will try to ride up, especially if not weight integrated. Look at the back inflate style BCs instead of the jacket types.

You know, jacket style BCs just tend to ride up. But usually only on the surface when vertical. If a diver is in horizontal trim during the dive there should be minimal tendency to ride up on the torso.

 

[RXTdiver]

Are you V shaped, or A shaped?

I'm assuming you mean the shape of my upper body. I would say neither. Somewhere in between.

I'm using a jacket style BCD.

 

[RXTdiver]

Does it slide up underwater or just at the surface?

If I'm floating at the surface it slides up.

 

[RXTdiver]

Is it too large a size for you? FYI it may not be straightforward to simply add a crotchstrap....

That might be the case. When I rented I forgot to check the size compared to what I had last time. Thank you for pointing this out.

 

[RXTdiver]

You're supposed to let the air out when you descend otherwise you'll go down and the BCD won't.

I did let air out. I fully deflated my BCD.

 

[RXTdiver]

Are you sized correctly?

I will have to double check on that with the dive shop compared to what I had last time. That could be the issue. Thank you.

 

[halocline]

If I'm floating at the surface it slides up.

They do that, because they’re filled with air and there is nothing keeping them down on your torso. That’s the idea of a crotch strap, it holds the buoyant BC in place while you are vertical at the surface. I’s worse if you are wearing a weight belt, so your body is somewhat negative while the BC is quite positive. You can either live with it, try to attach some sort of crotch strap, or get a BC that has one.

 

[RXTdiver]

OP, you will probably need to purchase a new BC that fits your size, it sounds as if it is much too large or very poorly adjusted. Being properly weighted and having good horizontal trim will further reduce the tendency to ride up on you. Overweighted, the BC will have air in it to compensate. This will cause you to rotate to a vertical position from which the BC will try to ride up, especially if not weight integrated. Look at the back inflate style BCs instead of the jacket types.

You know, jacket style BCs just tend to ride up. But usually only on the surface when vertical. If a diver is in horizontal trim during the dive there should be minimal tendency to ride up on the torso.

I rented this BCD. I think you're right. I think it might have been too large. I will have to check with them to see what size they gave me last time.

As far as weights go, I did shore diving in only 4 - 5 feet of water. I wore a 3 mm wetsuit. I weigh 221 lbs. I took extra weights for a total of 16 lbs. and to my surprise that wasn't enough to weight me down. My BCD was fully deflated and I still couldn't come near the ocean floor. Do I really need more than 16 lbs. of weight or could it be that I am overlooking something?

 

[Nemrod]

I rented this BCD. I think you're right. I think it might have been too large. I will have to check with them to see what size they gave me last time.

As far as weights go, I did shore diving in only 4 - 5 feet of water. I wore a 3 mm wetsuit. I weigh 221 lbs. I took extra weights for a total of 16 lbs. and to my surprise that wasn't enough to weight me down. My BCD was fully deflated and I still couldn't come near the ocean floor. Do I really need more than 16 lbs. of weight or could it be that I am overlooking something?

You may. But more likely your suit has not compressed, you have air in it, you are breathing off the top of your lungs and you are just not on your game quite right yet. Do not get discouraged.

 

[ibj40]

My BCD has adjustable shoulder straps, have you tried that?

Also, have you looked at where the tank is located on the back straps?