Back inflating BCDs

[Tank601]

I've only tried the vest type bcd. Tell me more about the back BCD.... Does it tend to put your face in the water at the surface or if that just people that have it configured wrong. I have heard if you don't inflate all the way or offset by weights - you can avoid this..

Thanks.

 

[snowflake4727]

If a rear inflated BC is over inflated it has a tendency to push you face first. Solution, don't over inflate, and treat it as your lazy boy at home. Lean back.

Underwater I found that they are easier to dive than a jacket. I also find them more comfortable to wear.

 

[pollywogg]

I have never had a real problem with the face-down floating in back inflation BCs. I used a jacket style Tusa Imprex for my certs, and I now have a Zeagle Ranger and a Hollis HD 100. They are both back inflation style. The Hollis tends to float me slightly higher in the water than the Zeagle. The floating face down problem occurs when people try to put enough air in the wing to float the entire top half of their bodies out of the water, you can keep pumping air in, it ain't gonna happen. Having just enough air to keep you at the surface solves that 'problem'. When I am properly inflated on the surface, I don't feel pushed face down at all. Sometimes, at the end of a dive, if I'm waiting for the boat to circle back around, I will fill my wing and just lean back. It's a nice relaxing feeling
Go ahead and try a few different styles. Harass your friends, hound your LDS, borrow some rigs, and see what feels right to you.

 

[diveandclimb]

I have used my Sea Elite Tek-X as well as Zeagle Rangers and with a little practice they will never push you forward. Just don't over-inflate and if you need to you can put a couple of pounds of weight on your back. They are also much more balanced underwater and I love how streamlined everything feels.

 

[Cave Diver]

I've only tried the vest type bcd. Tell me more about the back BCD.... Does it tend to put your face in the water at the surface or if that just people that have it configured wrong. I have heard if you don't inflate all the way or offset by weights - you can avoid this..

Thanks.

When I first switched to a back inflate BC the first thing I noticed was that I no longer had the "confined" feeling of being squeezed all around that I got from a jacket BC.

I also hated the way that the jacket would end up floating around your neck when you inflated it on the surface.

My trim and bouyancy vastly improved with the switch to back inflation. Properly matching wing size to your needs goes a long way to increasing comfort. It does take a few dives to get used to the dynamics of back inflate vs. jacket on the surface, but those issues are easily managed.

I've heard of very few (none?) divers that have tried back inflate and decide to go back to jackets.

YMMV.

 

[huisen]

I have the TUSA X-Pert back inflator BC. It's very comfortable and I've never had the mythic problem of falling forward at the surface. There are weight pockets at the back for trim but I don't use them (can't dump them, if anything) and don't need to. I used the trim pockets the first day and did not the next and didn't notice much difference at the surface or underwater. It's much easier putting in 2 weights instead of 4 as well and also not having to constantly tell new buddies and other divers in the group about the extra 2 in the back.

I'm not likely to go back to a jacket style. The only thing I miss about jackets are large pockets. Pockets on back inflators tend to be small and difficult to get at whilst you're wearing it.

The ladies' version, the Selene Wing is basically the same BC but with more comfort features built in i.e. more padding and more adjustable. My girlfriend uses it and loves it.

 

[Grover48]

I dive a ScubaPro KnightHawk. I like the way it is streamlined under water. It is easy to attain and maintain a horizontal position in the water. I use the rear trim pockets when using an Al80 tank and do not need to use them when diving the steel 120.

Try a rear inflate a couple of dives before you decide to invest. You may find you like the system.

 

[kathydee]

HI,

I like my back inflating Ladyhawk. Like others said, for me, diving with it is a vast improvement over diving with a jacket - much more stream-lined. You can actually inflate it almost all the way at the surface if you lean back and balance. Otherwise partially inflated at the surface & there are no worries ;-). I agree, don't take our word - rent one and check it out ;-).

 

[Tank601]

Anyone use the SP GlidePro or Glideplus? Do these "squeeze" you like the normal vest type? I noticed that SP had two categories - stabilizing jackets and front adjustable which looks more streamline..

 

[ScottZeagle]

When I first switched to a back inflate BC the first thing I noticed was that I no longer had the "confined" feeling of being squeezed all around that I got from a jacket BC.

I also hated the way that the jacket would end up floating around your neck when you inflated it on the surface.

My trim and bouyancy vastly improved with the switch to back inflation. Properly matching wing size to your needs goes a long way to increasing comfort. It does take a few dives to get used to the dynamics of back inflate vs. jacket on the surface, but those issues are easily managed.

I've heard of very few (none?) divers that have tried back inflate and decide to go back to jackets.

YMMV.

Well said!!!