BC Vest for a large guy
- Thread starter vanderj1
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Skyjunky
Contributor
Get a BP/W
Try out a bunch of different styles, see which one you like the most. I use an oceanic probe and absolutely love it. In selecting a bc it also depends on what you were trained on, with diving i reccommend using the same style with what you were trained on, or if you are going to switch bc style make sure that you can do a lot of very easy dives to get warmed up on.
As a big man, a backplate with a wing is guaranteed to fit as you can make the harness as large as you want. Conventional or Standard BC’s, even XXL’s may not have enough flexibility in adjustments to guarantee and comfortable, secure fit and most will not accommodate sufficient weight holding capability for a large man in a 7mm full suit.
However, regardless of the repeated chants you will no doubt get in this (and virtually every other one) thread, BP/W is not the end-all-be-all for everyone. I use a Apeks WTX harness system. It works well for me and I would not trade it for a simple BP. If I decided to use doubles, I can add a plate to the system. The system is very secure, flexible and comfortable.
However, regardless of the repeated chants you will no doubt get in this (and virtually every other one) thread, BP/W is not the end-all-be-all for everyone. I use a Apeks WTX harness system. It works well for me and I would not trade it for a simple BP. If I decided to use doubles, I can add a plate to the system. The system is very secure, flexible and comfortable.
dwaters
Contributor
vaderj1, How many dives so far and what style of BC have you been renting? What kind of diving you plan on? I am no expert on this and I wish I found this board before I bought my BC.... that being said, I have enjoyed my XXL Sherwood Avid jacket style for the the last two years but tried a bp/wing and am looking to switch when I can afford the set up.... but I have changed in the last 80+ dives.... yes I'm still a noob but now I understand the SCUBA lingo better now and have a better idea what I want...at least for today.
I want to thank everyone for their posts. I'm just starting out, but I would prefer to have my own BC. I only plan to make warm water dives.
I completed the dive class about 2 years ago but, I didn't perform my open water dives. I know it sounds stupid, but a bunch of crazy stuff happened that summer and I never got to go. I'm scheduled to complete the class again in February and perform a referral dive in St. Thomas the first week of March. Like I said, I would prefer to have my on BC when I train and for the OW dives.
Thanks for all the great info and I would love to hear from other people!
I completed the dive class about 2 years ago but, I didn't perform my open water dives. I know it sounds stupid, but a bunch of crazy stuff happened that summer and I never got to go. I'm scheduled to complete the class again in February and perform a referral dive in St. Thomas the first week of March. Like I said, I would prefer to have my on BC when I train and for the OW dives.
Thanks for all the great info and I would love to hear from other people!
bobcatdiver
Registered
I'm 6'4" about 250 maybe 260 after the holidays. I have a Sherwood Avid and a Zeagle Brigade and both of them fit great. It just depends on the type of diving I'm going to be doing on which one I use.
CODMAN
Contributor
Van, as another option, Mares generally makes BCDs on the large side. As a reference, I'm 6' and about 185-190 lbs and my Medium fits me, but only when I pull the straps in completely (or close to completely) So I'm on the lower end of their Medium size!!!!
This said, you need to try a bunch of BCD on to get the feel of what fits you best. Go to your LDS (or whatever shops you have around you) and try as many on as you can. If you can, even try them on in a pool!!!! It's the only way you'll really know if it fits you well!
Good luck!
This said, you need to try a bunch of BCD on to get the feel of what fits you best. Go to your LDS (or whatever shops you have around you) and try as many on as you can. If you can, even try them on in a pool!!!! It's the only way you'll really know if it fits you well!
Good luck!
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