BCDs for tall people!

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bubbles01

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Messages
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Location
Berkshire, England
# of dives
50 - 99
Can anyone recommend a good BCD for tall men? My husband is 6ft 6 and he always struggles into his present BCD it hasn't really fitted him properly since we first bought it just after he qualified. We are off to the Birmingham dive show soon and want to have a look at BCDs but we are after some recommendations first.

He does want one with an intergrated weight system as he has a bad back and finds weight belts very uncomfortable.

Thank you.
 
A backplate and wing (BP/W) may well be the best solution, also for single tank diving, for people whose frame isn't average (eg very tall, or overweight/obese). Maybe that's one reason they are so popular in some areas :).

As far as I know, most traditional BCDs (either jacket style or back-inflate) tend to have a "one size fits all" plastic backpack that is often too small for tall people (I am 6'2" and my jacket-style BCD, albeit nice, is a bit on the edge for that). My OMS backplate suits me better and is actually more comfortable on my back.

Plus BP/Ws harnesses are extremely adjustable and can give a good, snug fit to anyone.

Not all backplates are the same, the Dive Rite hurts my back while the OMS is just perfect, this is personal and up to one's frame, the point is : try it (loaded with a tank) before buying and check the comfort. Despite its "crude" appearance, a suitable stainless steel backplate, without any padding, can be (and often is) more comfortable than a padded, traditional BCD. At least that's my experience. And one will need 6 to 8 pounds less lead with a BP/W.

There are special weight pockets available for BP/W harnesses. No need for a weight belt.

There are many brands of BP/Ws around, some of them available in the UK, some of them likely to be ordered from the USA (Dive Rite, OMS, Halcyon, Oxycheq, Deep Sea Supply, etc). Personally, I own an OMS backplate with an Oxycheq Mach V wing, but other choices are obviously possible.
 
Your husband should look into the Zeagle line of BC's. Most of the Zeagle BC's have a modular design that allows different sized parts to be interchanged to provide a fit that is correct for the individual. Zeagle's equipment is very well made and their customer service is EXCELLENT.
Their web site gives a better explanation of how their fitting system works.

Another Zeagle product that is getting a lot of good reviews is the Express Tech which is a very simple flexible back plate with a webbing harness. It is a one size fits al like a BP/W but lighter and smaller. It is very spartan but can have accessories added to make it into what you need.
 
If you do look at a backplate/wing system, I know Deep Sea Supply makes a "long pattern" backplate for very tall divers. There are also weight plates available for the stainless plates -- the weights fasten right onto the plate. Another way is to have pockets on the straps or cambands.

I don't know about vest BC's for tall divers, so I can't recommend anything along those lines.
 
DiveRite has the XL-tall Transpacs which is what I use. I'm only 6'4" but have real short legs, 32" inseam. Works out real well, and holds the integrated weights no problem
 

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