BCD Question after confined water dives

[RiverRat]

As for the type of BC, you might try a back inflate. Personally I prefer a jacket style BC. A back inflate will have some tendency to float you face down. Great for diving but as an instructor I spend some time on the surface talking with students so a jacket style works better for me. YMMV.

Just want to comment on one thing. I was told by LDS not to get a BP/W because if I did not dive double steels it would push my face forward in the water. My first dive with a BP/W was in Cayman, in a FredT 9# BP and Oxycheq wing using an AL80 tank. I popped up to the surface straight as an arrow after giant striding in. I really don't understand why some folks feel like they're being pushed forward, I don't feel that way. I think it may have to do with possibly being overweighted and pumping the wing up all the way to stay above water and then yes the wing would tend to push you forward. The key is to ride the wing on your back like a raft when it's pumped up. I'm also using a 9# backplate so the extra weight may be "pulling" my body more vertical than say an Aluminum plate? And I'm using only 3# on a belt and not really using air in the wing that much to stay afloat. Just my 2 cents from my perspective.

 

[nauidiver2004]

Wish I had a grandfather to point that out to me. I'm suprized at, considering how passionate many of us are about our gear, just how civilized this thread remained

 

[Finnatic]

I'd like to point out that many of the newer model jacket type BCs have solved the problem of the squeeze on inflation. They have somehow engineered them to expand outward as opposed to inward. I've tried on a few of these recently as I'm in the market for a new BC. You might want to check out some of the hybrids also. They are primarily back inflate but give you a little air around the hips also.

 

[MikeFerrara]

When in the shallow end, on my knees doing the various skills, I found it somewhat difficult to breath, almost like I could not get enough air, yet at the bottom of the deep end no problem. I then noticed that even at depth, if vertical I felt like it was difficult. Thanks.

Regulators breath easier when you're face down (mouth piece pointed up) than they do vertical or face up (mouth piece pointed down).

 

[Willar]

Back inflate BC's are not that expensive, but neither are BP-Wings. Why dump a bunch of money in BC & equipment when you don't know much about diving yet. At least, that was my theory. I bought good but not great (re: super expensive) gear. It is stuff that will last a long time and then I'll have enough experience to decide if I have other specific wants and needs.

I bought the AL Black Diamond on the recommendation of people here ("go back inflate") and knowledgable friends. I love it! I would have gone with the AL Balance but the BD was on sale at the same price so I moved up. Either is a very good BC.