I disagree with this statement. I dont have many dives but with my back inflation (Oceanic Excursion) I do not feel my face being pushed towards water. As said before if you get your trim correct then there is no problem. Over inflation will push you forward also. My BCD has 45 lbs of lift so I do not need to inflate anywhere near the max to float on the surface.
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I disagree with this statement. I dont have many dives but with my back inflation (Oceanic Excursion) I do not feel my face being pushed towards water. As said before if you get your trim correct then there is no problem. Over inflation will push you forward also. My BCD has 45 lbs of lift so I do not need to inflate anywhere near the max to float on the surface.
alchemist117
Contributor
I use a Tigullio Searider when travelling. It's as light as a feather (5lbs), which makes meeting weight limits much easier.
scavenger
Guest
I really love my Oceanic Excursion, this one is without a doubt the best BCD I have ever used. I love the back inflation bladder is out of the way and this one is very very confortable. However back inflate is not for everybody and does carry a higher risk. ask yourself are you an excellent swimmer or experienced diver? remember the back inflation BCDs tend to push you foward in the water when you float...so be confortable with your floating abilites...There is nothing wrong with jacket style, many here prefer them. I would not let my spouse use anything else other than jacket style simply because she is not very experienced or an excellent swimmer...
there are pros and cons to each...balance it out!
there are pros and cons to each...balance it out!
scavenger
Guest
This is a response to the above post regarding back inflation pushing you foward
Like all back inflation if u are floating on your own is fine since u can keep your balance easily while floating. Now here is the issue i see...
<<<If you have an emergency or become incapacitated or unconsious for whatever reason...then you are SOL simply because it will push you foward and face down and there is nothing u can do about it while being unconsious>>>
Like all back inflation if u are floating on your own is fine since u can keep your balance easily while floating. Now here is the issue i see...
<<<If you have an emergency or become incapacitated or unconsious for whatever reason...then you are SOL simply because it will push you foward and face down and there is nothing u can do about it while being unconsious>>>
RadRob
Contributor
one of my bc's is an old oceanic chute 1 - it is a jacket style bc that has clips to release the bladder turning it into a back inflator style - has great lift capacity and is comfortable - I bought it in '96 and still use it - just can't seem to bring myself to get rid of it
OP, I think what you're learning is that people tend to like their gear, and have different reasons why they use what they use!
What's really important is that the BC you have fit you well and be comfortable, keep the tank stable, and be something you understand well and can use without thinking about it. It is possible to dive well in almost any BC that meets those criteria (I have seen some that are really poorly designed). Some BCs will make it easier to balance yourself out in a nice, horizontal position for swimming. Those with trim pockets high on the back are nice for this. (My husband's SeaQuest Balance is one with this feature.)
Some bells and whistles that look nice to begin with turn out not to be as useful as one thinks -- Often, the pockets on BCs are not well placed to be easy to access underwater, and frequently don't hold as much as one might hope. Similarly with multiple D-rings and multiple dump valves.
The bottom line is that the best way is to look around, see what people are using and talk to them about why they like what they like. I think one really useful piece of information is to find out whether people are still using what they originally bought, or whether they have changed, and why. If there's a consistent "evolution" from one type of gear to another, that might be a clue that you can shorten the process for yourself by starting out where others end up!
What's really important is that the BC you have fit you well and be comfortable, keep the tank stable, and be something you understand well and can use without thinking about it. It is possible to dive well in almost any BC that meets those criteria (I have seen some that are really poorly designed). Some BCs will make it easier to balance yourself out in a nice, horizontal position for swimming. Those with trim pockets high on the back are nice for this. (My husband's SeaQuest Balance is one with this feature.)
Some bells and whistles that look nice to begin with turn out not to be as useful as one thinks -- Often, the pockets on BCs are not well placed to be easy to access underwater, and frequently don't hold as much as one might hope. Similarly with multiple D-rings and multiple dump valves.
The bottom line is that the best way is to look around, see what people are using and talk to them about why they like what they like. I think one really useful piece of information is to find out whether people are still using what they originally bought, or whether they have changed, and why. If there's a consistent "evolution" from one type of gear to another, that might be a clue that you can shorten the process for yourself by starting out where others end up!
DOkie
Guest
What would be the "other types of diving"? Please elaborate....
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