Can you use a travel BCD as an everyday BCD if you do 2-3 dives a month ?

[socc]

For example the Aqua Lung Zuma BCD | Simply Scuba UK or the Scuba Pro Jacket Seahawk is relative cheap to buy a used one but I was wondering if I can also use it as an "everyday" BCD when diving in UK (2-3 times a month).

Also, does it matter in what conditions you use it ? Mainly if it is cold or warm water/environment ?

Thanks,

Socc

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Travel BC's are ok for regular use. Under certain conditions. Does the BC have enough lift for cold water diving? Is the material sturdy enough to stand up to the rigors of cold water use? Does it have the real features you need? In my experience except for the Zeagle Express Tech or a BPW I have yet to see one I would subject to that kind of use. They are generally geared towards vacation divers who will use them a couple times a year with little to no exposure protection and aluminum tanks. For that they are fine even though I would not choose one for that.

If you want a BC for UK diving, which I understand can be pretty demanding, get one that will do it with ease. Not one that might work ok. You can often buy used rugged BC's that will be better for you and still use it for travel. Just leave some of the unnecessary junk like clothes and hair dryer at home.

Looking on ebay UK I see a bunch of BC's for under 100 pounds. You also have to ask why they are selling these and what are they going to if they are continuing to dive. There may be a reason these used travel and jackets are so cheap.

Could be they don't work very well in the local conditions?

 

[socc]

Travel BC's are ok for regular use. Under certain conditions. Does the BC have enough lift for cold water diving? Is the material sturdy enough to stand up to the rigors of cold water use? Does it have the real features you need? In my experience except for the Zeagle Express Tech or a BPW I have yet to see one I would subject to that kind of use. They are generally geared towards vacation divers who will use them a couple times a year with little to no exposure protection and aluminum tanks. For that they are fine even though I would not choose one for that.

If you want a BC for UK diving, which I understand can be pretty demanding, get one that will do it with ease. Not one that might work ok. You can often buy used rugged BC's that will be better for you and still use it for travel. Just leave some of the unnecessary junk like clothes and hair dryer at home.

Looking on ebay UK I see a bunch of BC's for under 100 pounds. You also have to ask why they are selling these and what are they going to if they are continuing to dive. There may be a reason these used travel and jackets are so cheap.

Could be they don't work very well in the local conditions?

Hi Jim Lapenta,

Many thanks for your reply.

Can you please be more specific on what I should take care when buying a BCD, especially when the environment is demanding as the one in UK. Can you also please justify those reason so I can understand - I am new to diving !

In addition, can you please suggest some BCDs that you think will do the job. On the ebay I do not think I am that lucky, if you see anything that is good in a good price please let me know.

Many thanks,

Socc

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Cold water diving requires more exposure protection, hence you need more lead to get down. That requires more lift in the BC itself. One preferably that does not involve excess amounts of inherent buoyancy from useless padding and places that will trap air in the unit itself.

Cold water diving could also mean you are in locations where it is possible to encounter things like rocks and wrecks. Not to mention the abuse a BC can take when setting up on beaches, rocking boats, and regular exposure to saltwater. All of that takes a toll on fabrics. The lighter the travel BC the lighter fabric that has to be used. So it stands to reason that lighter fabrics are less resistant to really harsh conditions.

I don't know all of the brands you have in the UK. I know there are some we do not see over here as well as ones we have that you may not see much of.

My recommendation for cold water diving in heavy exposure suits in tough conditions that will have enough lift and still not add a bunch of inherent buoyancy you need to adjust for - A Back Plate and Wing set up with a steel plate. If you'll send me your email via PM I'll send an article I wrote that goes into considerable detail. But I can't PM it or post it here. It's too big with the illustrations.

 

[socc]

Cold water diving requires more exposure protection, hence you need more lead to get down. That requires more lift in the BC itself. One preferably that does not involve excess amounts of inherent buoyancy from useless padding and places that will trap air in the unit itself.

Cold water diving could also mean you are in locations where it is possible to encounter things like rocks and wrecks. Not to mention the abuse a BC can take when setting up on beaches, rocking boats, and regular exposure to saltwater. All of that takes a toll on fabrics. The lighter the travel BC the lighter fabric that has to be used. So it stands to reason that lighter fabrics are less resistant to really harsh conditions.

I don't know all of the brands you have in the UK. I know there are some we do not see over here as well as ones we have that you may not see much of.

My recommendation for cold water diving in heavy exposure suits in tough conditions that will have enough lift and still not add a bunch of inherent buoyancy you need to adjust for - A Back Plate and Wing set up with a steel plate. If you'll send me your email via PM I'll send an article I wrote that goes into considerable detail. But I can't PM it or post it here. It's too big with the illustrations.

Ok thanks !
I sent you a PM.

Socc

 

[Nemrod]

For example the Aqua Lung Zuma BCD | Simply Scuba UK or the Scuba Pro Jacket Seahawk is relative cheap to buy a used one but I was wondering if I can also use it as an "everyday" BCD when diving in UK (2-3 times a month).

Also, does it matter in what conditions you use it ? Mainly if it is cold or warm water/environment ?

Thanks,

Socc

The answer is actually no, you cannot use a travel BC and in particular the light weight ZUMA as an everyday, general purpose BC. They are intended for warm water diving using an aluminum 63/80 and minimal exposure gear and therefore minimal weight in the pockets. A heavy, negative, steel tank will want to roll off to the side twisting the bladder and harness because it has no hard shell to stabilize negative tanks. As well, the material is fairly light and does not have an inner bladder. It will hold up fine for travel diving several times a year, everyday use, not.

N

 

[halocline]

I would second the idea of using a backplate/wing, not just for cold water but for all diving. This is one of the most discussed topics on scubaboard. My opinion is that using a BP/W is one of the few gear decisions that really does make a big, noticeable difference in your diving. You might start with Jim's article, I'm sure it's thorough and accurate, and then peruse the billions and billions of threads about this very topic. After reading all of them, you will no longer have time for diving and the entire issue will solve itself.

Steel plates are excellent for cold water and for warm water with AL tanks. In fact, a steel plate offsets the buoyancy of an AL80 almost perfectly. Many steel BP/W set ups weigh the same or less than jacket BCs, so travel is not a significant issue IMO with them. But, if you're a real travel wimp you can get a second plate out of AL or plastic and simply use the same wing for both plates. This is helpful because the wing is the most expensive component in the BP/W system.

 

[diversteve]

A Seahawk isn't really a lightweight compared to the Zuma so if you can get one reasonably that might be an option. It has the lift to work in cold water effectively.



It also has a heavier duty outer bladder cover:

Air cell constructed with 420-denier interior and 1000-denier nylon exterior

A better comparison to the Zuma would be the Lighthawk or the Go - ScubaPro's travel options.

 

[DevonDiver]

There's two approaches to travel BCDs:

1) Same design as normal jacket BCDs, but with lightweight (non-robust) materials used.

2) Minimalist design, utterly functional only, with rugged materials.

Only one of those approaches makes sense for home-use also. That's the backplate/wing (BP&W) approach, which is modular and can be selected to suit the diver's specific needs. There are plenty of BP&W options available on eBay.

A 30-40lb wing (depending on lift requirement) coupled with an Al or fabric backplate is very effective for travel and will last decades with even the toughest use. A basic hogarthian harness is suitable for any diving; but for travelling (and not doing 'tech') just take off all the metal fittings (D-rings) you won't use.

 

[RJP]

For example the Aqua Lung Zuma BCD | Simply Scuba UK or the Scuba Pro Jacket Seahawk is relative cheap to buy a used one but I was wondering if I can also use it as an "everyday" BCD when diving in UK (2-3 times a month).

Also, does it matter in what conditions you use it ? Mainly if it is cold or warm water/environment ?

Thanks,

Socc

You're looking at it backwards.

Proper question: "Can you use an 'everyday' BCD as a travel BCD?"
Proper answer: "Yes."