BC shopping for small female

[lsudive]

I am 5' tall, 110 lbs, and I am top heavy. I am looking for a new BC, as mine went kaput last week. I have had recs for the Ladyhawk and the Diva. My old BC was a 15 year old Zeagle, and I really liked it. rented a Scubapro something at the resort so I could finish the last couple of days of diving. It felt a little big, even with all the straps adjusted down, and it squished my girls. Is there a "best BC" for small/short women?

 

[PerroneFord]

This is likely going to move quickly in the direction of a backplate and wing discussion (imagine that) simply because the system works for ANY size and won't squash anything. You might also be more open to it because you were in a Zeagle before, and are probably more used to having back-inflation.

Along those same lines, you might be interested in the Dive Rite Transpac system which is also back-inflation, and very modular. Not as modular as a harness system, but pretty good none the less.

Hopefully some of the ladies here who dive with a BP/W will chime in on how nice it is to have something that fits you EXACTLY, and has no possibility to squash anything.

Best of luck.

 

[mels_2]

I tried on an Isla yesterday, it is cut high over hip. The straps are ajustable so you can place them anywhere around the girls. Haven't tried it in the water yet but standing in the LDS it felt comfortable.

 

[waterdaughter]

I am 5' tall, 110 lbs, and I am top heavy. I am looking for a new BC, as mine went kaput last week. I have had recs for the Ladyhawk and the Diva. My old BC was a 15 year old Zeagle, and I really liked it. rented a Scubapro something at the resort so I could finish the last couple of days of diving. It felt a little big, even with all the straps adjusted down, and it squished my girls. Is there a "best BC" for small/short women?

Hopefully some of the ladies here who dive with a BP/W will chime in on how nice it is to have something that fits you EXACTLY, and has no possibility to squash anything.

Well, I am such a person...though I am neither short, nor "blessed". But, as PF states, the system works for any size. That's the beauty of it.

I won't bother raving about the freedom of movement and the streamlined silhouette...but once you have one and have it fit exactly for your body (I needed help with that-thank you DiveSherpa-but what a world of difference)---well, you will probably be delighted with the results. (I use "probably" only because others may disagree :11: and their opinions are just as valid)

BP/W: No squishing, no bulky air cells right under you arms...it's a women's liberation, only this time the guys started it.

Good luck with whatever you choose!


W/D

 

[fun2chase]

From experience 4'10" and 92lbs, the back plate and wing are the way to go. My bf had a custom made aluminum plate (short plate) from FredT for me, and it is awesome. Before that, I used an Oceanic kids Explorer. It was easy to adjust to my size, but my boobs did get squished.

Good luck,
-stacy

 

[Ann Marie]

I haven't tried a BP/W so I can't offer anything there. I would recommend a back-inflation BC though.

 

[crpntr133]

A Zeagle BC that went kaput. Send it back to Zeagle and let them revive it. Old Zeagles never die!!..do they?

 

[lsudive]

It was time. The poor thing was 15 years old. Threads had worn through (I think dry rot maybe - it was inactive for a while, but in a closet) around the seams on the top and sides, so it was coming apart. The deflator hose came out of the bladder during a dive, although it was a hose that was replaced, and not by a Zeagle dealer. Probably could've lasted a few more dives with just the thread problem, but when the hose came completely out, I decided it was time for a new one. I cut my Zeagle patch off, though, and it will be going in the memory box. I certainly got my money's worth out of it!

 

[crpntr133]

Be sure and give it proper burial.

 

[cameron]

oxy-cheq makes short plates and bladders as small as 18lbs, Sounds like a good combo