"Big girl" needing advice

[silvernotch]

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!

Sorry I don't really have the answers to a lot of these yet. I live in South Jersey right outside of Philadelphia and I would love to eventually be able to do some Jersey shore dives and the quarry at Dutch Springs. But I will probably dive the Caribbean at least once a year maybe more and we are headed to Montserrat in June and plan on diving there.

 

[carrielsal]

Sorry I don't really have the answers to a lot of these yet. I live in South Jersey right outside of Philadelphia and I would love to eventually be able to do some Jersey shore dives and the quarry at Dutch Springs. But I will probably dive the Caribbean at least once a year maybe more and we are headed to Montserrat in June and plan on diving there.

Quarries and lakes are great places to practice skills.

 

[lulubelle]

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.

Hi silvernotch, you can either use or not use the chest strap, and it can be fixed in two different positions. The lower position was right on top of the girls and the higher position was just right. I like using the chest strap as my shoulders angle down a bit and things move around too much without it.

Be sure to pay attention to whether or not the female BCDs are long enough in the torso for you. I seriously doubt that they will be.

 

[silvernotch]

Quarries and lakes are great places to practice skills.

I definitely plan on spending a lot of time at the quarry I'm not even going to think about getting near that Atlantic until I'm comfortable!

Hi silvernotch, you can either use or not use the chest strap, and it can be fixed in two different positions. The lower position was right on top of the girls and the higher position was just right. I like using the chest strap as my shoulders angle down a bit and things move around too much without it.

Be sure to pay attention to whether or not the female BCDs are long enough in the torso for you. I seriously doubt that they will be.

I may pass out the day I find something too long for me! haha but I see what you're saying

 

[murf]

I just got my custom wet suit from new wave who is partners with liquid fit and the price to comfort is well worth it i could not even get into a rental suit comfortable and decided to get a custom and dont regret it a bit definetly worth the investment

 

[SubMariner]

I just got my custom wet suit from new wave who is partners with liquid fit and the price to comfort is well worth it i could not even get into a rental suit comfortable and decided to get a custom and dont regret it a bit definetly worth the investment

You do realize that the topic is BCDs, right? :blinking:

 

[lulubelle]

You do realize that the topic is BCDs, right? :blinking:

The OP asked about both and advice about both has been offered. I feel her pain. I am 5'10" with many a fit challenge, it was a bear to find equipment that fit.

 

[silvernotch]

You do realize that the topic is BCDs, right? :blinking:

I need info on both. Thanks

 

[SubMariner]

I need info on both. Thanks

My apologies. Forty lashes with a wet squid for me!

 

[DiveTheGalapagos]

I live in Ecuador. In Jan. 09, President imposed an up to 300% import tax on luxury items. To say you can't buy anything here is an understatement. I used to 'shop' for gear by checking out what divers coming to the Galapagos were using. It was the only way I had to see things in person, not just photos online. I have now ordered 2 wetsuits and neither one fit. The Pinnacle Elastiprene in 2 XL (I'm 5'8" with DD) was waaayyyy too big, but a female DM in the Galapagos was thrilled. She is very big...at least 5'11" and pretty heavyset. The Pinnacle fit her perfectly. I next went with a ScubaPro Everflex XL. Way too tight. Sold it to a dive shop after 3 dives. The Pinnacle suit truly does stretch at a price lower than the Henderson. ScubaPro 'everflex' I began to call 'neverflex'. In men's suits, I find the arms to be about double the size of mine in a Large suit. And no one here to take them in, otherwise that might be my choice. Still, I'd check the Pinnacle for your build.