BC for 12 YO Girl

[giles45shop]

My daughter and I are newly certified and starting to get our equipment. Since I'm buying for two I'm on a pretty tight budget, so e-bay and the gear for sale section on Scubaboard are my very good friends

I'm looking for some recommendations on a jacket-style BC for her. She's 5'1" tall, 90 lbs of muscle with a 28 " waist.

I'm guessing I'll get some recommendations on a BP&W's set-up, but I'm not going to consider that right now as it's out of our current price range and I don't want to invest a lot of $ until I'm sure she's going to get into diving regularly. I'd like to spend around $150 or so. Just so I don't dissappoint the BP&W's fans, I'm pretty sure that's what I'm going to get, but I have to save up a few more $.

One of the BC's I'm looking at is the Aqualung Wave Jr., it's Weight Integrated and seems like it might be a fairly good starter BC.

Any coments on this BC or recommendations from others who have purchased BC's for their kids would be appreciated. Also, feel free to contact me if you have a used one laying around that your kid's outgrown.

Thanks,

John

 

[teknitroxdiver]

She needs to try it on. Also, for $150 it's very easy to get a hunk of junk. Be careful with what you get.

 

[mikswi]

My daughter is 8, and I got her the Sherwood Luna in XS. It fits her a bit loose but by next summer, she'll be filling it out just right. I cant really comment on Market price for it as, I got it from a supplier for a ridiculas price. A return because of a faulty power inflator. I have no idea why the dealer didnt just swap it out but we did a few dives in the pool with it and it performs flawlessly.


Aint it the BEST thing to be in the water and have yer little one next to you? I love going out with her, she gets soo excited about seeing the fishes and shells. (I stay in no more than 12-14' with her) She is more concientious about her surroundings,air and time than some full grown adults that I dive with.

My little princess.................

 

[TTSkipper]

I know that you want to set a price limit on the BC for your daughter but this may save you money in the long run for her and be able to grow with her. Dive Rite offers a program that if you buy a Transpac II LTD you can upgrade the sizes of the Backplate, Shoulder Straps and Cummerbund for free up to the age of 16 as long as the product is waranteed. Check this link:
http://www.diverite.com/kids/dvegear.htm

Just a suggestion.

TTSkipper

 

[WileEDiver]

I just got a Zeagle Ranger Jr. for my 11 year old daughter. It's a back inflate BC with 24 lbs of lift. It's very similar to my Ranger Ltd (so we'll look like twins ). I got a really good deal on mine--a demo unit, so I'm not sure of the retail price, but it's a nice BC that you may want to investigate.

 

[WarmGoingCold]

I hate to say it, but you might want to RENT her equipement until you are sure she likes diving. Once it has been established that she really likes it, look into making the investment.

 

[underwater daphne]

i'd go with WarmGoingCold. instead of buying potential junk that you hope will last long, rent, save and see if she will keep up with her diving. if you realise that you dive together regularly and your daughter keeps up the interest then think about getting some good gear.
personally i wouldn't trust ebay with my life.

 

[meisburger]

My daughter is 8, and I got her the Sherwood Luna in XS. It fits her a bit loose but by next summer, she'll be filling it out just right. I cant really comment on Market price for it as, I got it from a supplier for a ridiculas price. A return because of a faulty power inflator. I have no idea why the dealer didnt just swap it out but we did a few dives in the pool with it and it performs flawlessly.


Aint it the BEST thing to be in the water and have yer little one next to you? I love going out with her, she gets soo excited about seeing the fishes and shells. (I stay in no more than 12-14' with her) She is more concientious about her surroundings,air and time than some full grown adults that I dive with.

My little princess.................

Mikswi, my son is seven and a half and has begun diving in the pool in our backyard in the last few weeks. He really likes it, but looks kind of ridiculous trussed up in my wife's BC, even though its an XS. Also, he has trouble moving around with an AL 80 strapped to his back. So we are looking for a little BC that might fit him better, so I also would appreciate suggestions on this issue, but I am also thinking about buying him a smaller tank and possibly even a regulator, so would appreciate advice on that as well. ( I have a daughter as well, and she can use this stuff in a few years).

How old was your daughter when you first took her into the ocean? I am really looking forward to the day I'll be able to go with the whole family (plus I'll be able to go more often!).

Tim

 

[Marek K]

John--

If price is an object, and you're willing to risk not being able to try a BC on in advance, you might want to check out Triple-L. Quality is just outstanding, especially considering the prices -- at least for their adult products. (Do a search for "Triple-L" on ScubaBoard.)

They've got a "Juvi" BC for kids at $52.54 (!!); it's got weight pockets, but they're not droppable. http://store.triple-l.biz/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=87059900033&Category_Code=.

Hmmm... It only comes in one size. The size chart says that fits Chest 29"-34", Waist 25"-29", Height 4'-4'3", and Weight 80-100 Lbs. Strange... their smallest "normal" BCs fit height 4'10"-5'2", which leaves a gap of seven inches not covered by any of their products.

Might be worth a try, though...

--Marek

My daughter and I are newly certified and starting to get our equipment. Since I'm buying for two I'm on a pretty tight budget, so e-bay and the gear for sale section on Scubaboard are my very good friends

I'm looking for some recommendations on a jacket-style BC for her. She's 5'1" tall, 90 lbs of muscle with a 28 " waist.

I'm guessing I'll get some recommendations on a BP&W's set-up, but I'm not going to consider that right now as it's out of our current price range and I don't want to invest a lot of $ until I'm sure she's going to get into diving regularly. I'd like to spend around $150 or so. Just so I don't dissappoint the BP&W's fans, I'm pretty sure that's what I'm going to get, but I have to save up a few more $.

One of the BC's I'm looking at is the Aqualung Wave Jr., it's Weight Integrated and seems like it might be a fairly good starter BC.

Any coments on this BC or recommendations from others who have purchased BC's for their kids would be appreciated. Also, feel free to contact me if you have a used one laying around that your kid's outgrown.

Thanks,

John

 

[mikswi]

Mikswi, my son is seven and a half and has begun diving in the pool in our backyard in the last few weeks. He really likes it, but looks kind of ridiculous trussed up in my wife's BC, even though its an XS. Also, he has trouble moving around with an AL 80 strapped to his back. So we are looking for a little BC that might fit him better, so I also would appreciate suggestions on this issue, but I am also thinking about buying him a smaller tank and possibly even a regulator, so would appreciate advice on that as well. ( I have a daughter as well, and she can use this stuff in a few years).

How old was your daughter when you first took her into the ocean? I am really looking forward to the day I'll be able to go with the whole family (plus I'll be able to go more often!).

Tim

She just started at the beginning of this summer. My LDS had an older 40cf? tank that was kicking around, I got it for nothing.... I just LOVE my LDS. I think 80's or even 63's are too much tank for the little ones and it contributes to their difficulty in the water, by always "fighting" a large tank, ill fitting BC.