My experience is having tried for myself and having observed both men and women. I am comfortable with my position on this matter.
Best And Worst Bc For Women
- Thread starter KatieMac
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but you still haven't said why. I'm not trying to be argumentative, just trying to understand why you make that kind of a statement with nothing to back it up. A how without the why doesn't work...
On a different note - Katie I see that you are a photographer. Not sure if you are intending to get into photography underwater?
Your choice of BCD can have a big influence on your buoyancy control, your stability control and your ability to get 'sharp as a tack' images underwater.
When you are learning there are advantages in having a jacket style BCD - it really helps with staying upright when you are on the surface. However to get a good trim for taking photos a back inflate or BP/W are good options - but not necessarily as a beginner diver.
Another option that is worth considering for photography is sidemount - very stable. But again, that's probably a bit further down the track for you.
Your choice of BCD can have a big influence on your buoyancy control, your stability control and your ability to get 'sharp as a tack' images underwater.
When you are learning there are advantages in having a jacket style BCD - it really helps with staying upright when you are on the surface. However to get a good trim for taking photos a back inflate or BP/W are good options - but not necessarily as a beginner diver.
Another option that is worth considering for photography is sidemount - very stable. But again, that's probably a bit further down the track for you.
kerrycorcoran
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My 2 cents - your mileage may vary. You'll need to get more experience and accustomed to diving in general. I don't feel it has anything to do with gender, more so experience and preference.
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why do you say that she can't get into sidemount now if she wants to? and why are a back inflate or a bp/w not necessarily a good option for a beginning diver?
advantage of a bp/w for photography is how clean your front is and how much more stable they are than jackets. The other huge factor is most jacket bc's have lift according to size, which is not the right way to go about it....
advantage of a bp/w for photography is how clean your front is and how much more stable they are than jackets. The other huge factor is most jacket bc's have lift according to size, which is not the right way to go about it....
Because the process of learning!
It's often enough of a learning curve for someone to learn in a jacket BCD without the extra complications that can arise with different sorts of BC systems.
Being comfortable on the surface is often just as important as being comfortable underwater for learners. Not all women are outgoing types that will take anything on. Jackets are better in this regard for stability on the surface. Just helps with giving a positive learning experience.
Would you put a learner in twins and have them do valve drills? No - it's all about diving to your limits and that includes choice of equipment.
Reku
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Would you put a learner in twins and have them do valve drills? No - it's all about diving to your limits and that includes choice of equipment.
Someone clearly did because I took my OW in doubles
anyway ... I'll show myself the door. I just wanted to chime in.
Have fun diving with whatever you decide OP!
Ok, I'll join the fray!
I bought my first BCD during my open water class so of course I disagree that you need to wait. When I started my search I just knew that I wanted the popular "women's" jacket BCD. I don't even remember the brand name. I found a local shop that carried it, tried it on, and absolutely hated it. Not necessarily the fit but that it felt so bulky and confining.
Next I tried on a unisex back inflate travel BCD. Loved it and dove that BCD for several years. The only reason I switched is that I tried a BPW and liked it even better.
In general, though I love my BPW, I still tend to recommend a new diver start with a back inflate BCD. Its the closest to the feeling of freedom that you get with a backplate but less of a learning curve and has the integrated weights that most new divers prefer.
I bought my first BCD during my open water class so of course I disagree that you need to wait. When I started my search I just knew that I wanted the popular "women's" jacket BCD. I don't even remember the brand name. I found a local shop that carried it, tried it on, and absolutely hated it. Not necessarily the fit but that it felt so bulky and confining.
Next I tried on a unisex back inflate travel BCD. Loved it and dove that BCD for several years. The only reason I switched is that I tried a BPW and liked it even better.
In general, though I love my BPW, I still tend to recommend a new diver start with a back inflate BCD. Its the closest to the feeling of freedom that you get with a backplate but less of a learning curve and has the integrated weights that most new divers prefer.
Ok - there is always an exception! Can't say I would have wanted to do that!
Gotta say that even though I only own one BCD at the mo, I have dived in multiple types.
The type/ location does influence this, so just for a perspective on my personal preferences:
Cold water/ drysuit diving: Sidemount or BP/W
Tropical water diving: Sidemount or back inflate (because I don't have my own BP/W I'd probably feel a bit uncomfortable in one not well set up for me, when I'm only diving in a rash vest & boardshorts)
Pool sessions or with inexperienced divers: Jacket BCD
But hey, that's just my thoughts and I'm sure that if I did have my own BP/W I might feel a bit different about the warm water diving in one.
The type/ location does influence this, so just for a perspective on my personal preferences:
Cold water/ drysuit diving: Sidemount or BP/W
Tropical water diving: Sidemount or back inflate (because I don't have my own BP/W I'd probably feel a bit uncomfortable in one not well set up for me, when I'm only diving in a rash vest & boardshorts)
Pool sessions or with inexperienced divers: Jacket BCD
But hey, that's just my thoughts and I'm sure that if I did have my own BP/W I might feel a bit different about the warm water diving in one.
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