Back inflated vs Jacket

[Ann Marie]

I have both a jacket-style BC and a back-inflation BC. Here is my take:

When at the surface, I do NOT find that the back-inflation BC pushes me forward. Usually, when swimming out to a site (beach diving), I flip onto my back and use that time to notice what a perfect day it is and to chat with my buddies.

I feel that while under the surface I get better bouyancy control with the back-inflate. I also seem to have more range of motion with my back-inflate.

I learned to dive using my jacket BC and was very comfortable using that. I now use my back-inflate to dive with. I think you could be happy with either one. If the difference in price isn't much of an issue, I would go for the back-inflate. I don't think you will be sorry with either, but may find yourself graduating up to a back-inflate in a few years.

 

[Aussie Diver]

Thanks everyone for your imput. My only problem with a back inflate was sitting on the surface and ending up face planting. But now that I think about it, I prob did have to much air in it.

 

[RiverRat]

Thanks everyone for your imput. My only problem with a back inflate was sitting on the surface and ending up face planting. But now that I think about it, I prob did have to much air in it.

I was told the same thing, that I'd practically drown in a BP/W at the surface and would have to dive double steels to stay upright.

IT WAS A CROCK OF S***!

My first giant stride in I popped up like a cork and straight as an arrow. I use a FREDT plate with a crotch strap. The crotch strap supports you at the surface, like being in a "swing". I just came back from NC wreck dives in 3-4 foot seas and rode it like a raft back from one dive. I'll take the BP/W setup over a gut squeezing stab jacket any day. There are, however, decent back inflate BC's out there also. I just don't have the need or desire to try one out. Too many benefits to the streamlined BP/W for me to change.

 

[SoCalScubaWen]

Does anyone have this problem? I have a SeaQuest Balance for women. I'm having difficulty purging my BCD. It feels like I have to rock back and forth to get all the air out and sometimes have to also dive head first and use the bottom purge. I am a new diver and never had problems with the jacket style. Help!?!?!?

 

[ShakaZulu]

Black Diamond here, a bit too much lift if you are diving singles, nice BC though. Because of the horse shoe design, you may find it tries to roll you, if you use the left or rigth bottom dump valves, and diving at a down slope. Raising your head slighty, equals out the air distribution again, no biggy. I would also recommend the BP/W setup.