Back inflater VS. Jacket bc

[squidster]

Please Relate the pro s and cons of Back Inflators, And if you like them better than Regular bs Jackets.
Are Jackets Safer Then back inflators.:butnhome:

 

[Luis H]

Since IMO the most important need for a BC is surface flotation, a low profile simple jacket (no weight integration) is the most practical. For buoyancy control I like using my lungs. It gives me better control.

If you weight yourself properly, you would have minimal air in any bladder. Therefore, in a swimming position any air will be on the back side of the jacket anyway. Therefore, if used properly, it behaves similarly to a back inflate BC.

I did modify my jacket to use a more traditional shoulder and waist straps (and 1 inch crotch strap) for a better fit.

Edit: The above basically assumes open water. The principle of minimal air in the BC applies mostly to a single tank, but even with doubles it is a good approach.

 

[Teamcasa]

I basically agree with Luis. My BC (SeaQuest Malibu) is a back inflation and works fine for surface floatation with only a minor tendency to push me face forward. My wife's is a full jacket (Diva XLT) and it helps her when floating upright on the surface. However, when diving, my BC seems easier to adjust to neutral buoyancy.


Dave

 

[Vicente]

My Chica does not like the SQUEEZE of the jacket BCD she has tried.

If you have a jacket all battened down for underwater use, surface and fully inflate it, it does feel a bit constricting. I never liked that feeling either. You can of course loosen it up or have it less inflated, but it just reduces the problem doesn't remove it.

But which one is SAFER? They should both be safe as far as keeping you afloat or for helping with bouyancy. I will differ with previous poster, come kelp-diving with me sometime. 20+ lbs of lead is not something you are going to compensate for with your lungs. At depth around here most anyone's BCD is half or more inflated. I use a perhaps undersized wing so mine is nearly fully inflated past 50 feet.

 

[djanni]

My Chica does not like the SQUEEZE of the jacket BCD she has tried.

If you have a jacket all battened down for underwater use, surface and fully inflate it, it does feel a bit constricting. I never liked that feeling either. You can of course loosen it up or have it less inflated, but it just reduces the problem doesn't remove it.

But which one is SAFER? They should both be safe as far as keeping you afloat or for helping with bouyancy. I will differ with previous poster, come kelp-diving with me sometime. 20+ lbs of lead is not something you are going to compensate for with your lungs. At depth around here most anyone's BCD is half or more inflated. I use a perhaps undersized wing so mine is nearly fully inflated past 50 feet.

Personally I like the back inflation BC's but not all Jacket style BC's squeeze. Oceanic's BC's don't squeeze and there may be others.

 

[dbombtek]

Neither 1 is going to be safer than the other because they are both designed with the approperiate safety features. The back inflate does push you forward a little when you are on the surface an easy fix for that is to not inflate you bc all of the way. Its should not be a problem anyway because you want the most from your jacket when you are under where you wear it the most. The back inflate is more comfortable for me in the water.

 

[BIGG_BUDD]

Just buy a Zeagle Brigaide, and never look back...

 

[jdelprete]

I have a zeagle ranger BC and love it (not jacket style). I personally feel that jacket style is not the best way to go. Like a few said if done properly there should be little air in your BC. However, if you do need any decent amount a back inflated bc will help to keep you horizontal in the water easier than a jacket style bc.

 

[jdvaughn]

Scubapro KNighthawk with the back inflate does a great job to help adjusting with neutral bouancy. I prefer to not dive the SQUEEZE.

 

[ScubaThor]

I switched from a jacket-style BC to a Zeagle Ranger Ltd and LOVE the difference. I feel much less constricted and have a greater sense of comfort. Plus, it's scalable, so if I ever decide to dive doubles, i can adjust it. My 0.02.