BC for a tiny little lady

[Minnow]

Hi!

I am a very tiny lady ( 4' 5" / 86 lbs) and am normally proportioned. I recently got my open water certification and plan to do some scuba diving in local lakes (in TX) and in the Carribean. I would like to buy a BC. Unfortunately none of the scuba stores in the Ft. Worth area have much of a selection (never mind trying them out!) . I read through the another post regarding women's BC but was hoping that maybe some shorter ladies could give me some advice on what to buy.

Thanks!

Minnow
:05:

 

[Dryglove]

You could always go the backplate and wing route. There are several people who make BP's in all different size to suit almost anyone. Here are few from the top of my head

http://www.oxycheq.com/backplates.html

Fredt (pm for BP's and price list)

Gary Hoadley (often found on ebay)

http://www.deepseasupply.com/page7.html


There are a few others but cant recall who they are right off hand

 

[cool_hardware52]

We also offer Small, Medium and Large BackPlates.



Regards,





Tobin George

 

[scubagirl15]

B/P and wings are a great option: however, if you're diving Caribbean, might be too much BCD?

You also have the option of the Zeagle Zena. A friend of mine who is about your size got one and loves it. Go to http://www.zeagle.com to take a look at it.

 

[Boogie711]

Um - a BP and a wing could never be "too much BCD." In fact, I have often said this - nothing packs smaller and lighter than a properly configured BP/Wing.

 

[Seabear70]

http://www.triple-l.biz/isis.htm

I can't personal recommend that BCD (or fit into it), but the company's quality has been excelent, the price is right, and it comes in an extra small size.

 

[jdf]

Try on the smallest size Oceanic Isla. I just sold mine to a 5 ft teenager and it fit her like a glove and mine was a medium. It's also a very comfy bc. I sold because I bought a Seaquest Diva LX for a bigger bladder for cold water diving. I still miss it.

 

[scubagirl15]

Um - a BP and a wing could never be "too much BCD." In fact, I have often said this - nothing packs smaller and lighter than a properly configured BP/Wing.

Sorry...I mean the lift and general diving characteristics.

Being on the petite side myself, and having just recently had the opportunity to test out my B/P and 32 lb lift wing in tropical conditions, I thought I'd share my impressions. Yes, it packed nice and flat...definitely tighter than my jacket style BCD, but it dove weird on me...like it had a life of its own.

In contrast, when I dive the same B/P & wing rig here at home, with a dry suit or 7 mm wet suit, it dove beautifully.

Go figure? I can only conclude that my 25 lb lift jacket style BCD, which doesn't work for me here, works great when I'm wearing a 3 mm and 4 lbs of lead. Contrast that with my 32 lb lift wings and B/P set up, which works great when I'm using the SS B/P with a dry suit, plus 8 lbs of lead. I suspect being physically tiny may have something to do with it, but I don't know for sure. I just know what works for me and what doesn't.

 

[downunderjenn]

The Zeagle Zena is great for short torsos, easy to don and adjust, and is back inflate, which I like.

 

[FreeFloat]

I originally went to a backplate and wing for just that reason, the complete adjustability of fit. It is basically custom-adjusted for the diver. And after "dangling" from a size Small jacket, the secure feel of the fit was a real treat.

Although I can "just barely" wear a "standard" 6# plate (due to my torso length) if I were any shorter I'd probably have gone with a custom plate size though.

I currently dive a 36# wing, but I do believe they even make smaller wings than that (down to 26# if memory serves)

Of course it's up to you and what you're comfortable with.... in my case the only component I'll ever NEED to replace due to wearing out will be a $12 length of webbing... instead of repeating the Search For The Perfect BC if I wore a jacket out.....