Finishing my advanced open water course , I decided to buy my first Bcd . After getting help form the people in this forum I decided to buy aqualung axiom. As there was no opportunity for me to go and test the different sizes in a local dive shop, I had to order just by the size chart. I am 5.8 feet tall, 198 lbs weight , 41 waist and 42.5 over the shoulder. When I checked the aqualung Bcd chart size I could be fit in ML group except my weight which was 8 Lbs more and in L group except my height which was 0.2 feet less. Back then I ordered the ML because the L size was for people taller than 6 feet. I used the Bcd in the sea and I liked it, it was fit . Yesterday I saw an article about Bcd size which was saying it was batter to chose the size which is closer to our weight which in my case was the L size despite the fact it was for taller people. So after reading the article I started to worry if I had chosen the wrong size Bcd and it makes me feel bad. So what do you say, have I chosen the right size?
Have I chosen the right size Bcd?
- Thread starter atabaksh
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ams511
Contributor
If you used it in the water and it fit and you liked it that is all that matters. I would not worry about what some writer said. Actually I would find such an article suspect, because BCs are not all cut the same. How someone could make such a sweeping statement is beyond me.
From fitting students for the last five years, I'd MUCH rather have a BC that's marginally big enough than one that is too big. If the BC you bought was comfortable and kept the tank stable on your back, it was the right size, no matter what the article says.
Yes you can. When I use a dry suit I need 24 lb. I put 10 lb in non dumpable pockets in the back of my BCD and 14 lb in dumpable pockets in front.
What it means is that if I have to dump weight I can dump most, but because I still have some weight, doesn't mean I am in trouble as I am now light. I actually prefer to have it this way so I still have some sort of control of my ascent. The ascent will happen as I am now light, but because I haven't dumped all my weights its somewhat slower than if I dump all my weight.
If say you needed more weight than the BCD would carry in all (dumpable and non dumpable pockets, you can also put on a weight belt. There are many options when carrying weight.
As I said, I prefer to have some control over the amount of weight I dump.
What it means is that if I have to dump weight I can dump most, but because I still have some weight, doesn't mean I am in trouble as I am now light. I actually prefer to have it this way so I still have some sort of control of my ascent. The ascent will happen as I am now light, but because I haven't dumped all my weights its somewhat slower than if I dump all my weight.
If say you needed more weight than the BCD would carry in all (dumpable and non dumpable pockets, you can also put on a weight belt. There are many options when carrying weight.
As I said, I prefer to have some control over the amount of weight I dump.
What's really important is to be sure that your BC has enough lift to float all that lead and a full tank, because if you have to take your gear off in the water, you don't want to lose it. If that is true, you can definitely put some of your weight in the back. You need to be able to jettison enough to be positive, but not much more than that.
The Swede
New
As others have said, only one thing matters; that the BCD feels good for you. If your BCD is not comfortable on someone else doesn't matter at all, since they're not the ones using it - you are. So just keep using the BCD and be happy with it..
Regarding weights, what matters is that you can easily dump enough to stay on the surface without difficulty. Unless you're carrying much too much weight dumping something like 4-5 kilos will usually be enough for that. I use a weight belt with 3-4 kg and keep the rest on my BCD, and that is by far enough to make sure I can stay on the surface even if something is wrong with my equipment. If you feel unsure you can keep 8 kg in the droppable pockets (4+4 kg), or whatever fits well, and the rest in fixed pockets. That way you can dump one or two droppable pockets if needed.
Jesper
Regarding weights, what matters is that you can easily dump enough to stay on the surface without difficulty. Unless you're carrying much too much weight dumping something like 4-5 kilos will usually be enough for that. I use a weight belt with 3-4 kg and keep the rest on my BCD, and that is by far enough to make sure I can stay on the surface even if something is wrong with my equipment. If you feel unsure you can keep 8 kg in the droppable pockets (4+4 kg), or whatever fits well, and the rest in fixed pockets. That way you can dump one or two droppable pockets if needed.
Jesper
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