2 in 1 jacket/back inflate hybrid??

[Cando]

This might be a dumb question since im sort of a newbie with equipment, but is there such a thing as a jacket style bc that also has back inflation? Seems to me it would be the best of both worlds (other than BP/Wing).....do these BC's exist and if so, which one's are worth looking at?

Ive used both jacket style and back inflate and i like what both have to offer...just wondering if I can get both in one BC?

Thanks

 

[MechDiver]

The SP Classic comes to mind. Not sure how they are made now, but the one I had had circular chambers that went clear around your shoulder, plus a chamber on the back (I think).

IMO the sucess of a design like you envision would be very dependant on how much lift you needed. I would imagine a point where the front would start fighting with the back so to speak.

After having been there, I see no circumstances where back is not preferable.

MD

 

[leadweight]

The Mares Dragonfly comes to mind. Also, Tusa makes a back inflate BC that kind of wraps around the wearer's waist.

Personally, I don't like these designs because they have a lot of drag. They seem to combine the worst of both designs rather than the best.

 

[Zept]

... in women's BCs, the Diva LX (SeaQuest).

Have a look at the Mares Web site or the SeaQuest Web site for pictures.

Zept

 

[Butch103]

Is a back inflate BC. Not really a jacket, but not BP & wings. It is a horshoe style bladder mounted onto the harness (check out the website)..Weight integrated, fully adjustable from small to extra large. Certainly great for any recreational diving. I don't know about cave diving and extreme penetration dives because I have never done these, nor have I any training, so I would dfer that reccomendation to those qualified.......

 

[SubMariner]

I have an Aeris XT that fits into this category. I think it's the best of BOTH worlds: back AND jacket. However, I find that most hybrids do seem to have the idiocycracy of their full back-inflate cousins: they may push you a bit forward at the surface.

~SubMariner~