BC question???

[shuter]

Guys, I was just certified this past weekend, so I'm new at this thing. I'm also still working on perfecting the dry suit buoyancy thing (USIA shell suit - I live in Oregon), but my question pertains to the different types of BC's.

I initially tried a Seaquest Black Diamond (back inflate), because I got the impression that "jacket BC's make it hard to grow in the sport". I'm paraphrasing here, but in researching on this board primarily, prior to beginning my cert, that was the impression I got. I'd read that the back inflate (or bp/w) set up puts you in a better swimming position, etc.

Problem I had was it drove me NUTS when at the surface. I got worn out trying not to be dunked face-first in the water (even after putting trim weight in the back of the bc, leaning back, etc.).

On OW dive 3, I switched to a jacket style. MUCH better at the surface . . . and, I seemed to have no problem getting horizontal at depth. Of course, most of the time, I was working on using my SUIT for buoyancy, but I did use the bc some just to see how it worked. No problem.

So, honestly, is the "advantage" of back inflate style bc's merely a theoretical one? Do jacket types really suck as you become more advanced, or is there something I'm missing here? Does the bp/w set up offer real advantages over either?

I'm looking for some guidance so that I end up with something I can live happily with ever after!

Thanks

 

[duckster3d]

quick down and dirty answer (YES)

Jackets are ok for rec diving, but as you grow in the sport a BP/wing will become necessary for using doubles and stages. don't half step just go for the BP/wing, if you feel you will advance. if you feel you will stay in rec diving, and not progress then go get a a jacket bc.

Secondly you DO NOT use the drysuit for bouyancy unless you have lost your wing, or bc.

the drysuit should only have enough air (gas) in it to keep the squeeze off.

spend your money wisely, buy equipment once and buy what you see yourself needing down the road not what will get you by for now. it will cost you much more in the long run. not in just money, but the learning curve you will have to go through everytime you change gear.

 

[herman]

I am not a big fan of BPs but I do much prefer a back inflate. The trouble you are experiencing on the surface is not uncommon. Putting some weight in the rear helps some. Over inflating- using more air than is necessary to hold you on the surface is the most common reasons for face planting. Unlike a jacket style, a back inflate will not hold you straight up and high out of the water. If you want to be held up high in the water on the surface, a jacket style may be a better choice for you. I am use to mine and spend very little time at the surface anyway. A lot of surface time is more common in a training enviroment than in normal diving. The biggest complaint I have with a jacket style is not so much it's bouyancy characteristics but the way it changes fit as air is added or removed. I want my BC snug and not changing the way it fits or moving around like a jacket style is prone to do. Between the harness on my back inflate BC and it's crotch strap, it stays firmly in place. A BC that move around makes proper trim difficult.
As far as a BP having any advantage over back inflates, the answer is yes and no. If you intend to dive doubles or go into more tech diving they are definately the way to go. Otherwise they don't really provide any real advantage over other back inflates.

 

[Humuhumunukunukuapua'a]

You just need to let some air out of the BC. In a jacket you can fill er up at the surface, but with a BP/W or back-inflate you just fill it up enough to keep your head out of water. Then it's great.

I do remember getting certified in a jacket and filling it up all the way at the surface...you get that comfortable squeeze...like a hug...and you just bob around without a care in the world...pretty cool.

But, yes, back-inflate really is better in the long run. Seriously, I never think about it on the surface...no face-plant issues at all if you don't overfill it. It's where you want the buoyancy for good trim position. Cheers!

 

[careerdiver]

I do many different types of diving in differne locations. If I am diving with a wetsuit I do like a jacket style, I personally like the SeaQuest ProQD, but that is a personal preference. If I am doing dry suit diving, which I do a lot of in Ohio I like using a back inflate, SeaQuest Balance. The best way to avoid the dunking is to no add to much air, use your snorkel, and put your feet out at about a 30 degree angel, almost like you are in a recliner. Makes it very easy. Also, I like to travel a lot and packing is so much easier with a back inflate. Jackets are nice but take up a lot more room.

 

[Brewone0to]

Friends don't let friends dive in a jacket.
IMO jackets are just for the occassional diver doing a few vacation dives a year while trying to cut down on his/her cost on equiptment.
The only other thing they are really good for is dive shop profits, because if they can con you into buying one,then they get to sell you a wing setup later when you find out that the surface is the only place a jacket comes close to matching or outperforming the wings setup.(BP/W or Transpac or the like)
Oh did I mention that most jackets become bonfire material if any part of it fail whereas wing setups you can replace or upgrade individual components to repair or fit the needs of your diving
Hope this helps

 

[ScubyDoo]

The bottom line is that you use what you are comfortable with. If your not comfortable with your BC (submerged or topside), chances are your expelling more energy fighting it, using more air, and enjoying your dive less than you could be. As other posters have said, each style has its pros and cons. Back inflates and wings are certainly more popular among technical divers, whereas most recreational divers stick with jacket styles. I would agree with the earlier poster who said that back inflates always fit the same regardless of buoyancy adjustments made due to depth changes. That is certainly a plus to consider. I would also agree with another poster who said that so long as you dont overinflate on the surface, back inflates wont plant your face. As he stated though, you cant ride high in the water as you do with jacket styles. If you ever plan to work your way up to Rescue or Divemaster, you will be spending a lot of time at the surface, especially if your working a lot with students. Good buoyancy and stability is a real plus in the event you need to rescue someone. While I know many fellow recreational divers, divemasters, instructors, (non-technical divers) who use back inflates......most use jacket styles. My advice would be to try them both, and see which your most comfortable with. Comfort is the determining factor.

 

[Aquanautchuck]

[QUOTE

I initially tried a Seaquest Black Diamond (back inflate), because I got the impression that "jacket BC's make it hard to grow in the sport". I'm paraphrasing here, but in researching on this board primarily, prior to beginning my cert, that was the impression I got. I'd read that the back inflate (or bp/w) set up puts you in a better swimming position, etc.

Problem I had was it drove me NUTS when at the surface. I got worn out trying not to be dunked face-first in the water (even after putting trim weight in the back of the bc, leaning back, etc.).



Like others have said, back inflate is better. Whether or not bp/wings or a bc like the Black Diamond. I have used my Black Diamond for over 7 years [50 dives a year at least] and it has never failed, and done everything I have needed it to do. Yes you do need to learn how to dive a back inflated bc but when I am on the surface just a little air does the job. And I swim on my back not my front. Only now thinking of getting into tech diving am I thinking of a bp/wing.

Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[cnctina]

It seams that reading the comments on scubaboard that jacket bc's suck and no divers actually use them but when I go out on a dive charter, I'm the only diver that has a bp/w and the jacket wearing divers think I'm nut's for diving in a bp/w.
Go figure!

 

[TSandM]

Diver0001, who is one of my most respected posters on this board, will tell you that a diver with good skills can trim out and dive properly in any gear, and I think he's right.

You need to think about what you want to do with your diving, and you may not know at this point. I didn't. I originally thought I would never want to do anything more than float around shallow and look at brightly colored marine life. Then I saw videos of people diving the cenotes in Mexico, and I was lost.

Most probably, you will not originally buy the gear you will eventually dive. But buying gear makes sense, because then you dive more, and get more experience, and get more addicted. If six or twelve months later, you are plotting to replace everything you bought, there are worse things . . . like losing enthusiasm altogether.

I do agree with prior posters that, if you were having a serious problem with a back inflate BC, nobody was showing you how to use it properly. I bought a back-inflate immediately after OW, and nobody helped me use it, but I had no problems with it (except that it didn't fit well). It was certainly more comfortable than the jacket was -- for ME. But the first time I dove a BP/W assembly, I knew THAT was the right kind of diving equipment for me to dive. It doesn't mean it will be the best thing for you.

IF you want to go on to deeper (technical) diving, or cave diving, or wreck penetration, you will need technical gear to do it, and that will mean a BP/W assembly and double tanks. If you plan tropical diving vacations and nothing more aggressive, any gear that fits and works well for you will suffice. Polishing your trim and honing your buoyancy and propulsion skills in ANY gear, for ANY diving purpose, will pay off in lower air consumption and greater enjoyment.