Back Inflate Vs. Jacket Style!!

[Red Sea Shadow]

Different types of BCs should not cause a problem. The descending and buoyancy problem you've experienced does not relate to the BC.

 

[herman]

Sorry about your problems but I have to agree with the rest, the BC did not have anything to do with the problems you were having. Proper weighting and some time in the water will solve your problems. A good buddy to help you sort out the weighting issues would be a big plus as well.

 

[memon1]

I didn't like that BC all around because it has no pockets and just feels weird, plus, I am moving to Hawaii and plan to dive every day (thats why I'm moving there). I would like to get into wrecks once I get some more training/experience. I am thinking about getting a BP/W system so that I don't have to adjust twice... Good/Bad?? If good, should I look to get the SS or Aluminum?? Thanks for all the help, does anyone have any better advice then PADI gives you to get my weight right?? Cause according to their standards I was perfect. THANKS AGAIN!!!

 

[Fish_Whisperer]

One of the things I've had to get used to with the Dive-Rite, is that air can be trapped in the wing, and reacts differently than with the jacket style BC. (eh... The venting. Not the air itself. LOL)

When I'm pulling the rear air-dump, which is to the left rear of the wing, I find that it helps a lot if I roll to my right and tip my butt upwards, so that the air-dump is truly in the highest spot on the BC, thus releasing ALL of the air.

I've also found that the back inflate is a little less forgiving of diving improperly weighted. In Cozumel, I was using 12lbs when I only needed 10. I felt like I was constantly fighting the BC and my buoyancy in the water until I tossed out the extra two pounds. Dropping that two pounds and keeping the crotch strap sufficently tightened, went a long way towards improving nearly every aspect of my diving with the back-inflate. Good luck!

P.S. You can also get pockets for the cummerbund. I use the two-zipper pouch from Dive-Rite, and it's worked well.

 

[hopeitsapar]

HEY ALL!!
I just got my AOW this weekend, and after not diving for about 2 years it was different!! I was using a back inflate DUI I picked up for cheap, and in terms of equipment it was pretty much the most miserable experience of my life. After this terrible experience ( I couldn't get under the water, the thing just kept me on top of the water the WHOLE TIME, and when I was underwater it was either SLAMMING into the bottom or flailing on the surface) I want to get a nice jacket style BC. I was wondering if anyone has an opinion about this?? Does it take THAT MUCH GETTING USED TO??? Any opinions would be MUCH appreciated!!! Thanks

It really should not matter which style you use they will both function the same way. It comes down to personal choice.

 

[utdivermatt]

I used a jacket syle BC for all of my dives until I bought my own BC. I looked around, and went with a Seaquest Balance, and will never go back. I find it much eaiser to control, better fitting, and even with lack of storage space, it keeps me from carrying too much with me, which turns out to be a really good thing. In the jacket style I tended to take everything I could fit in the pockets with me. Now all I have is some defog and a backup light. For me, I could never see using a jacket again.

 

[Web Monkey]

It wasn't the BC. I'd guess you were overweighted and didn't vent all the air from the BC.

If you let all the air out when descending, it would have been empty, and wouldn't have made any difference if you were diving with a back-inflate or a tank, reg and bungee cord.

The bouncing off the top and bottom sounds like you were overweighted, since that makes it extremely difficult to control your buoyancy.

Whatever you try (or buy), you need to do a proper buoyancy check to get your weighting right. Borrow an (almost) empty tank and see exactly how much weight it takes to just sink you. This is exactly how much you need.

Terry

HEY ALL!!
I just got my AOW this weekend, and after not diving for about 2 years it was different!! I was using a back inflate DUI I picked up for cheap, and in terms of equipment it was pretty much the most miserable experience of my life. After this terrible experience ( I couldn't get under the water, the thing just kept me on top of the water the WHOLE TIME, and when I was underwater it was either SLAMMING into the bottom or flailing on the surface) I want to get a nice jacket style BC. I was wondering if anyone has an opinion about this?? Does it take THAT MUCH GETTING USED TO??? Any opinions would be MUCH appreciated!!! Thanks

 

[Humuhumunukunukuapua'a]

My wife, brother and both my parents started in back-inflates and all have excellent buoyancy control.

What aspect of the floatation being on your back do you feel is to blame for your inability to control your buoyancy?

 

[Damselfish]

There are differences in the way jackets and back inflates behave, but they are much more subtle than you are describing. Few dives then 2 years out of practice is the problem, no biggie just need practice. Get weighting right, make sure you're dumping properly and generally get a handle on bouyancy control. Changing BCs isn't going to fix this for you.

 

[Zeeman]

I went to back inflate early (10th dive) and had no problem of any sort. Maybe you are overweighted or underweighted??

Z...