Bcd Size For Wetsuit And Drysuit

[nikolay_zhelev]

Hi fellows,

I have Scubapro Seahawk size M BCD, it fit's perfectly when I'm wearing t-shirt / 5 mm wet suit, but I've never tried it with anything bigger. Now I'm planning to buy dry suit, therefore I have questions.

Could you please advise me, shall I go for one size larger (L) or to stick with my current size (M)? What is the rule of "thumb" for sizing BCD with drysuit?

I'm looking forward to hearing from you!

---
Kind Regards,
Nick

 

[Neilwood]

Stock SB answer - use a BP&W as the harness can be set for the largest item (drysuit) and still be good for thin wetsuit.

Apart from that, I would say a lot depends on the actual sizing of the vest. If the M is actually quite large but snugs down ok it might be fine. On the other hand, if you don't have a lot of adjustment left on the M with a tshirt, then it might be too small with a drysuit under it.

Only solution is really to test it physically.

 

[nikolay_zhelev]

Dear Neil,

Thank you for your reply. BP&W is the best choice, but my personal preference for the time being is BCD instead of backplate and wing.

I believe I'll go for size "L".

Regards,
Nick

 

[Basking Ridge Diver]

Hi fellows,Now I'm planning to buy dry suit, therefore I have questions. Kind Regards, Nick

Are you buying at your local LDS? If so take your BCD with you and try it on.
If you not - find a local LDS and see if they will let you try on a similar or same drysuit and bring your BCD.
I would not buy a new BCD thinking I needed one - rather I would prefer to find out if it is workable. But I dont have lots of funds to replace gear. YMMV.

 

[ImmaHyrdalisk]

Unless your BCD adjustments are already near the max, you should be okay using the same setup. Most BCD's I've used have a lot of adjustment leeway. My Zeagle Ranger fits me perfectly, but at max adjustments could fit someone 100 lb heavier (although it probably wouldn't balance out well)

 

[abies]

I was able to use my mares medium bc for both wetsuit and drysuit without an issue. I ended up with a backplate later but it worked when I first got my drysuit.

 

[rx7diver]

Could you please advise me, shall I go for one size larger (L) or to stick with my current size (M)? What is the rule of "thumb" for sizing BCD with drysuit?

nikolay_zhelev,

How old is your Seahawk? It might matter. My first BC was a Scubapro Stab Jacket which I purchased new in 1987 or so. Loved it! In 1992 or so I purchased a drysuit, and my orange SSJ was suddenly too small! No matter, though, since I had begun tech diving and, so, purchased a Dive Rite Al doubles plate and doubles wings and bands and all the other tech diving kit.

However, I still preferred a SSJ for single tank rec diving. So, in 1994 or so I purchased a new SSJ (black "Classic" this time). But—and this is the point of this post—in the intervening years, Scubapro had changed the sizing of its SSJ's. The SSJ I purchased in 1994 was the same letter size as my 1987 SSJ! However, the 1994 SSJ was actually cut much larger than the 1987 SSJ, and so fit me in my drysuit despite being the same letter size as my old SSJ! FWIW.

Safe Diving,

rx7diver

P.S. I still own my "new" SSJ. I still love to dive it. Whenever I dive one of my PST HP 80's (vintage 1988, purchased new), my BC of choice is my SSJ! This is a really sweet gear combination! Enjoy your Seahawk!