"Big girl" needing advice

[docbonezz]

the Aqualung Pearl has a built in "sports bra" and the women I have talked to say it is very comfortable. Try and find a shop that you can try one and see how you like it. In warm water you may want to dive with just a suit and this may give you the little extra support and cover-up so you are not "out there" in full view. Although for us men divers the "out there" look is not so bad.
I dive the QD Pro by Aqualung with the i3 controller. I love it. It is an option on the Pearl BCs also.

Good luck,
Karl

 

[Sas]

I'm an E cup (5'10" too so fairly tall, 79kg) and find most BCs I've tried to be too restrictive around my chest/waist. I LOVE my BP/W though, nothing is across my chest so a lot more comfortable (I use a hog harness). It's much cheaper than my old BC, and modular.

 

[silvernotch]

I think we are the same silvernotch, highwaisted=shortwaisted (as opposed to long waisted)with long legs? I just found all of the female BCDs too short, even though my torso is proportionately short, it is still longer than the average females due to my height. Zeagle was the only manufacturer I found that could downsize or upsize a particular piece to get a fit.

As for the wetsuit, I think many of the manufacturers have some sort of super stretchy fabric, but I'm not sure if they all have talls. Henderson does.

Good luck.

oh okay sorry! but that's strange that our torso's are short but they still come up short lol.

and that's great that they have sizes in tall. all my pants have to be in tall otherwise it looks like i'm waiting for the flood!

I have worn more uncomfortable BC's than I can count. Last year I bought a Pearl i3 BC. It is extremely comfortable. If you're looking for a BC you may want to see if there is an LDS in your area that carries them and try one in the pool.

That being said, I transitioned to a hogarthian BP/w about 4 months ago. When I looked at them I just knew that a 2" harness with no padding and a SS bp was going to be uncomfortable. Boy, was I ever wrong. I fell in love the first dive and will not go back to a BC.

to me they both look comfortable. i guess i'll have to try out a few styles to see what works better for my body. most people i've talked to tell me to go with a bp/w set-up but i'm definitely going to refer back this thread and make a little list of styles/mfgs to try out when i go searching for one in about a month.

I'm an E cup (5'10" too so fairly tall, 79kg) and find most BCs I've tried to be too restrictive around my chest/waist. I LOVE my BP/W though, nothing is across my chest so a lot more comfortable (I use a hog harness). It's much cheaper than my old BC, and modular.

are bp/w's generally cheaper than traditional style?

 

[carrielsal]

are bp/w's generally cheaper than traditional style?

Just like BC's, BP/w come in a variety of prices. I have found that Halcyon backplates are generally the highest price. You are paying for the brand name. Deep Sea Supply has a more affordable line and have very good reviews here on SB.
One of the really nice things about bp/w's are that they are modular. It can be a little daunting at first.

Here are a couple of good threads to take a look at.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bu...-systems/316218-bp-w-setup-what-full-one.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/hogarthian-diving/223603-has-anyone-ever-gone-back.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/hogarthian-diving/100636-suggestions-setting-up-hogarthian-rig.html

 

[lulubelle]

Silverstreak,

Here is a picture of mine. It is hard to see, but the shoulders do articulate back and completely avoid the girls. And I preferred the back inflate instantly. I didn't search out the BP/W very thoroughly. Thanks for the links Carrie.

The Zena, Pearl, and others were great designs for women, but again, too short in the torso as I suspect they will be for the OP. I also found that the bra designs only work for up to a certain cup which did not include mine and may or may not include the OP's.

You will know after you try a few female BCDs whether or not that is a good place to spend your time looking. We are both taller than the average male and WAY taller than the average female (you by 7 inches).

 

[RAWalker]

Just keep in mind that Scubaboard happens to have a very vocal group of BP&W users so you were bound to get the suggestion.
I myself am a BP&W user when I dive recreationally but dive a Back inflator jacket when diving with Open Water students. I strongly suggest a Back inflator Jacket style for beginners until they have developed their buoyancy control to near second nature and have a good understanding of how different conditions effect weighting and trim.

 

[silvernotch]

Silverstreak,

Here is a picture of mine. It is hard to see, but the shoulders do articulate back and completely avoid the girls. And I preferred the back inflate instantly. I didn't search out the BP/W very thoroughly. Thanks for the links Carrie.

The Zena, Pearl, and others were great designs for women, but again, too short in the torso as I suspect they will be for the OP. I also found that the bra designs only work for up to a certain cup which did not include mine and may or may not include the OP's.

You will know after you try a few female BCDs whether or not that is a good place to spend your time looking. We are both taller than the average male and WAY taller than the average female (you by 7 inches).

what about that strap that goes across the upper top part of the chest? that looks like it may sit too close up to the neck and may get uncomfortable.

Just keep in mind that Scubaboard happens to have a very vocal group of BP&W users so you were bound to get the suggestion.
I myself am a BP&W user when I dive recreationally but dive a Back inflator jacket when diving with Open Water students. I strongly suggest a Back inflator Jacket style for beginners until they have developed their buoyancy control to near second nature and have a good understanding of how different conditions effect weighting and trim.

that's understandable and I will definitely keep that in mind. I don't want to jump ahead of myself and my skills (or lack there of!)

 

[carrielsal]

Personally, I find any chest strap uncomfortable.

 

[SubMariner]

Silvernotch, some things to ponder:

1. What exposure protection will you be wearing underneath the BCD? If you're like me & dive both wet & dry, (or even various thicknesses of wet) make sure you try on a BC with these various suits on underneath.

2. How much lift to you want? As an Instructor I needed something that would handle both a student AND myself at the surface. So I chose something will a little more lift than someone my size would normally need.

3. Don't limit your options. Try on BCDs that are traditional jackets, back inflates or hybrids. And don't be afraid to look at ALL BCDs, not just "female specific" ones.

4. Weight integrated or not? These are nice for tropical waters, but once you start loading them up for cold water diving they become almost impossible to lift by yourself. Sometimes it's best to stay with a separate weight belt or distribute the weight in other ways (steel tank, back plate & wings, whatever works for you).

5. Dump valves. Ideally, you should have a couple of separate options for both front & back in addition to pulling the inflator hose itself.

6. Pockets & do-dads. Large, easily accessible pockets are a blessing. Thirteen rows of D rings are not.

FWIW, my BCD is about 10 yrs old & is one of the first hybrids (an Aeris Atmos XT). And no, the chest strap doesn't get in the way or strangle you.

Bonne chance!

 

[ChainSaw0069]

My girlfriend had similar issues with the bcd. She ended up purchasing a mens bcd. It fit her better than a ladies.