BC for 12 YO Girl

[meisburger]

1

 

[meisburger]

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

Thanks Marek for that great tip. I went straight to the site and ended up buying two! One for my son, and, at that price, one for my daughter (she is only five, but already know how to snorkle...)

Tim

 

[meisburger]

Thanks for the info. I was wondering what size tank to get. Unfortunately, I wont get one for a hydro (more like $180), but at least I live in Indonesia!

Cheers, Tîm

 

[Marek K]

Tim--

You're welcome. I'm, um, not going to ask how come you're getting BC's for your kids that young...

...But I would be interested in finding out how they look (quality-wise) and fit when you get them. Our daughter will be 12 next summer, when we'd like to start her in OWD. I wonder whether the Juvi will be too small for her... She's the right weight right now -- like 90 lb -- but at 4'8" she's much too tall, according to the size chart. But I'm afraid an "adult" XS would be much too large.

--Marek

But

Thanks Marek for that great tip. I went straight to the site and ended up buying two! One for my son, and, at that price, one for my daughter (she is only five, but already know how to snorkle...)

Tim

 

[giles45shop]

All,

Thanks for the words of wisdom. I have looked at the triple L products and have been giving them serious consideration, but I was in a quandry by their sizing chart. It looks like the Juvi is for really small 8-12 year old type kids, and it does look like their XS or S adult sizes would be more appropriate and allow some room for growth which the Juvi would not. That's pretty much the same with several of the BC lines. They have Juvenile BC's, but based on some of the sizing charts it looks like she could fit a S or XS adult version. As suggested, I really need to have her try them on.

As far as the ebay stuff, I know you have the potential for ending up w/ junk, so I'm very selective on what I bid on. I typically look for individual divers selling stuff as they upgrade as opposed to "Joe's Pawn Shop" who has no idea what they have or when it was used or serviced last.

I'd love to get a Ranger Jr as they look like great products and they are local boys (about 20 miles away), it's just a little out of my price range right now. If she continues to show interest, I'll probably end up with a Zeagle.

Renting is an option also, and I should probably consider that more. I was initially not going to do that as it costs about $25 to rent regs and a BC, but I've bought her a reg and gauge console now (SP Mk2+/R190/SP Octo/SP 3 gauge console like new, serviced in May 04 for $220) so the BC rental would be less. Another reason for having our own gear is that we live on a fairly clear lake and I was going to do some of our initial Post-cert diving/training in the lake.

I guess I'll continue to keep looking, I know our LDS is having their end of year sale in a few weeks and I can probably pick up one of their class BC's for a good price and have the ability to try it on.

Thanks,

John

 

[meisburger]

Tim--

You're welcome. I'm, um, not going to ask how come you're getting BC's for your kids that young...

...But I would be interested in finding out how they look (quality-wise) and fit when you get them. Our daughter will be 12 next summer, when we'd like to start her in OWD. I wonder whether the Juvi will be too small for her... She's the right weight right now -- like 90 lb -- but at 4'8" she's much too tall, according to the size chart. But I'm afraid an "adult" XS would be much too large.

--Marek

But

You don't have to ask, I'll tell you! I have a pool in my back yard, plus I'm crazy. My wife says I'm buying all the toys for my kids that I wanted and couldn't afford when I was a kid (I can see buying one, but too? I must be nuts...). Anyway, for your daughter you might consider that BC. Size wise it probably would not be a problem. I wear a large normally, but when playing in the pool with the kids I grab whatever has air, which means I occasionally wear my wife's extra small. I let out all the straps and it fits fine (without a wetsuit). Very streamlined... Anyway, its only fifty bucks (but shipping internationally would add another forty, I think).

By the way, why wait till your daughter is 12? I think they have Junior Open Water at ten, which then converts to regular open water when they reach the appropriate age (I think).
Cheers, Tim

 

[Marek K]

Anyway, its only fifty bucks (but shipping internationally would add another forty, I think).

Sounds like you're an expat there. Actually, I'm an American too, with the U.S. Embassy here. So I can get shipping at the U.S. rate, through diplomatic pouch. So it's fifty bucks, plus the small handling charge.

By the way, why wait till your daughter is 12? I think they have Junior Open Water at ten, which then converts to regular open water when they reach the appropriate age (I think).
Cheers, Tim

There are some other issues. She's got mild asthma, though I hope it's not "active." We need to get her pulmonary function tested, then find a doctor here who can interpret the results in light of scuba. I think it's do-able; she really really wants to learn.

Plus, I just don't think she's quite ready yet. I can find English-language instruction here with some difficulty (she doesn't speak Polish), but the instructor teaching our 14-year-old son this summer wasn't quite fluent. I had to assist in terminology and even pronounciation (breathe" vs. "breath"), plus I intensively supervised his reading homework. Daughter would need to be able to read and understand the text on her own, with parental supervision. Granted, the PADI OWD text is at maybe a 6th grade level; but she's just finished 5th. I think she'll be ready next summer. We'll see.

Again, let me know how the Triple-L Juvi's fit!

--Marek

 

[meisburger]

Yes I'm an expat. I work for the Asia Foundation and am funded by USAID, so I have some embassy privilages, but not access to the pouch.

I have mild asthma as well, but it was normally aggravated by pollution in the air and very strenous exersize like running. I used to treat with an inhaler after an attack (for example, while I was running), but these days I inhale a powder every morning and never have any problem, so diving is fine. Its a good idea to consult a specialist though. For training, just take a vacation someplace warm this winter (Bali is nice!).

I'll let you know about the BCs, but will not see them till mid-December. I do know the company has a good reputation. It is run by an expat in Saigon and is part of a luggage manuafacturer call Bags World, I think.

Cheers, Tim

 

[xSandman3]

My 11 year old daughter uses a Triple-L Juvi. The construction is outstanding, and it works perfectly. It does run pretty small, but the cummerbund is adjustable. She is 5' and weighs 85 lbs. Even if it only lasts one season, it's worth the price.

 

[Marek K]

Sandman--

So what are your daughter's chest and waist measurements? And how does the Juvi fit her -- rather, why do you say it runs small?

Our daughter will be 12 next year when she'll need it, but she's pretty petite. I can't imagine we'd find a normal-sized BC to fit her.

--Marek

My 11 year old daughter uses a Triple-L Juvi. The construction is outstanding, and it works perfectly. It does run pretty small, but the cummerbund is adjustable. She is 5' and weighs 85 lbs. Even if it only lasts one season, it's worth the price.