A question for the ladies about a bcd

[SHARKBAIT94]

Hello,
I have a question for the ladies that dive :06: . My g/f and my self are getting ready to finish up our check out dives and she is loving every minute of it so I was wondering what is the favorite bcd amongst the ladies? I see that most of the bcd's are made for men with the exception of a few bcd's made for women. She wears an extra small/small. I’m going to buy one for her but I want one that is functional for women (I guess I’m saying that right.) The lds are run by all men and like they know what a women wants and needs are and one that will work good. The ones I see made for women are not very popular so I think/feel. So if you dive with a male bcd or a women’s for that matter please give me some insight I would love to hear your opinions on such and anything else. I already have her other gear picked out and put off to the side, just waiting for her/us to get our c-cards so she can get fitted for the bcd and to give her all her new gear .
Thanks so much

 

[Danny Valerio]

Hello! Welcome to diving!

There are several lines of women's bcd's available which are specifically designed with curves in mind. I would personally see if you could get her to try on some gear in your local shop for fun to see which she likes the most and what fits her best.

I know that Aqua Lung has a women's line, but they're not the only one I'm sure. Again, your local dive shop will be your best resource.
http://www.aqualung.com/products/diva_qd.html

Beyond that, I would recommend a bcd that has a back inflate, because jacket style bcd's compress around your torso as they inflate and I find that to be very constricting and uncomfortable. I also prefer a weight integrated bcd because it eliminates the need for a weightbelt which can also be uncomfortable.

Good luck and happy diving!
~Danny

 

[Danny Valerio]

PS

I've always dove with male bcd's and am currently diving with a Zeagle Ranger. I eventually plan on swithching to a Halcyon back plate and wing which is gender neutral.

The important part is to not have anything uncomfortably squished.

 

[The Kraken]

Sharkbait94,
My wife dives a Sea Quest "Libra" and loves it. She's rather large in the bosom and the adjustability of this particular BC suits her very well.

 

[SHARKBAIT94]

Hello everyone,
I will be taken her to the dive store and having her try on a few to see what she likes. It's always nice to go with some info in the back of your head of what seems to work for the women and what would be a waste of time and money. The biggest problem that I seem to notice with my two lds is that they really only carry male bcd's women’s bcd's are try on and order unless you like the male bcd‘s. I thought that this was a little peculiar considering in a class of thirteen six were women. But I noticed that the lds cater to the male diver.
Thanks to all so far for all your info.

 

[TrainerAW]

I own an Oceanic Isla ladies BCD and love it. I have curves in different places from my Zeagle wearing dive buddy that made rental BCs uncomfortable. The shoulder straps were designed not to smash any soft tissue which certainly increases my comfort under water. Also due to the fact that usually a woman's waist is substantially smaller than her hips, I love the weight integrated system. A BC and weight belt made me feel very constricted. The dive instructor I had when I was certified several years ago recommended a ladies BC and I concur. I think you are wise to take her to a dive shop and try on several models to find what fits her best. Depending on the size of her "curves" she may prefer either. What's important is how she feels and her comfort level.

Anna (TrainerAW)

 

[damsel]

It's definitely a matter of personal preference... if your dive shops haven't got much in the way of BCs for women, you might try shopping around. Then again, not all women prefer BCs made for women... I tried a Ladyhawk, a Luna, and a Xena and couldn't find anything comfortable for my shape. (then again, I haven't... ahem... much to worry about in the chest department, personally... ^_^) I'm pretty small myself, and I found a Zeagle Escape with an extra-small top and a small cummerbund to be the perfect solution - you can intersize them, to get a proper fit. Again, it's definitely something she's going to need to try on, preferably with a tank. I second the back-inflate and weight-integrated suggestions, regardless of whether she chooses a women's BC or a gender-neutral one.

 

[sharkdiver00]

Hi there,
Yes, it is a matter of preference... my latest 'lady' bc is a SeaQuest Diva LX and I absolutely love it. It is an integrated bc and I have the octopus on the inflator hose as well. Also wear an xsmall one. I have used it both in cold and warm water for the last 2 1/2 yrs. and have had zero problems with it. More important, it truly fits the female body. I am pretty sure that any store will let her exchange it for size/color according to her preference.

 

[MLE]

I have the Zeagle Zena and I absolute love it. It is tight through the lower ribs and fits me perfect. I no longer have the BC in my armpits when I float in the water. It fits me perfect and I have a small frame. Good luck with the hunting.

 

[Damselfish]

I just put the first couple dozen dives on a new ScubaPro Ladyhawk and was very happy with it, but I'm bigger framed (wearing a medium) so that may not mean much to you. While it doesn't hurt to get ideas here - aside from the need to try BCs for fit and ideally try them in the water, I don't think a BC is something you should even try to pick out for someone else. It's hard enough to know before you're even certified what features you are going to want let alone what someone else wants, and your ideas might very well change once you get a few dives in or if you were to try a few types of equipment. It's really nice to buy your girlfriend gear, but maybe she would like the fun of picking it _all_ out herself rather than having it picked out for her? I know that's not as neat as presenting her with a set of gear, but more practical and more likely she will wind up with the right gear for her.