First Post. BC and Wetsuit Fitting Question.

[8dDUCE]

Hello,
This is my first post here, I have searched past postings to answer some questions before I posted my own question. I am new to diving, my certification course begins this July. I have already bought my gear, except my wetsuit.

I have two questions; The first one is in regaurd of my BC. The BC I purchased is a Zeagle Escape. The BC fits very well in my upper torso, to get the BC to fit my midsection, I have to overlap the velcro strap cumberbun. The front buckles on the BC fit loosely even when fully tightened, can I have them repostioned? The straps have been "S" rolled to keep them squared away. I bought this BC new, would I have to return it to Zeagle to have the buckles repositioned?

The second question is about wetsuit sizes. I have a weird build, my waist is small 30-32", and my upper torso is 47". I can wear a large bottom half, but even an XL top is very tight on me. Are all wetsuits measured with the same standards? I am having a hard time finding a suit that fits my frame, any ideas?

I plan to spearfish/leisure dive in 70-80 degree waters, both fresh and saltwater. The wetsuits I am looking at, are 3 MIL two piece suits. I have been told I can mix and match the tops, with the bottoms. I have tried a ScubaPro, Bare, and Henderson, all the XL tops fit very tight. The idea of a two piece suit is nice, due to temperature changes. I was told to look for a suit that will stretch, any suggestions?

Thankyou all in advance. Scott.

 

[spectrum]

Hello,
This is my first post here, I have searched past postings to answer some questions before I posted my own question. I am new to diving, my certification course begins this July. I have already bought my gear, except my wetsuit.

I have two questions; The first one is in regaurd of my BC. The BC I purchased is a Zeagle Escape. The BC fits very well in my upper torso, to get the BC to fit my midsection, I have to overlap the velcro strap cumberbun. The front buckles on the BC fit loosely even when fully tightened, can I have them repostioned? The straps have been "S" rolled to keep them squared away. I bought this BC new, would I have to return it to Zeagle to have the buckles repositioned?

The second question is about wetsuit sizes. I have a weird build, my waist is small 30-32", and my upper torso is 47". I can wear a large bottom half, but even an XL top is very tight on me. Are all wetsuits measured with the same standards? I am having a hard time finding a suit that fits my frame, any ideas?

I plan to spearfish/leisure dive in 70-80 degree waters, both fresh and saltwater. The wetsuits I am looking at, are 3 MIL two piece suits. I have been told I can mix and match the tops, with the bottoms. I have tried a ScubaPro, Bare, and Henderson, all the XL tops fit very tight. The idea of a two piece suit is nice, due to temperature changes.

I was told to look for a suit that will stretch, any suggestions?
Thankyou all in advance. Scott.

Suit sizes are not universal and do vary between manufacturers. They even vary between models and materials from a given company. Trying is the only real way to know. Anything else is luck.

IMO you need one that fits, not stretches. From your measurements and experience trying suits it sounds like you are a candidate for a custom suit. In your location finding a custom shop should not be too hard and the price premium is not much at all. Ideally you will be fitted in person. Second choice is measurements taken by a shop that knows how to measure for the maker. Last choice is measuring at home.

You can search the forum and learn the tradeoffs of the high stretch suits.

It's very important to have a suit that does not restrict your breathing.

Pete

 

[ScottZeagle]

Hello,
This is my first post here, I have searched past postings to answer some questions before I posted my own question. I am new to diving, my certification course begins this July. I have already bought my gear, except my wetsuit.

I have two questions; The first one is in regaurd of my BC. The BC I purchased is a Zeagle Escape. The BC fits very well in my upper torso, to get the BC to fit my midsection, I have to overlap the velcro strap cumberbun. The front buckles on the BC fit loosely even when fully tightened, can I have them repostioned? The straps have been "S" rolled to keep them squared away. I bought this BC new, would I have to return it to Zeagle to have the buckles repositioned?

To help answer your questions, I am going to have to ask some of my own...
How much of an overlap do you have on the cumberbun? Are the waist panels set in the smallest position, or are they moved out? When you say "The front buckles on the BC fit loosely even when fully tightened" which buckles are you talking about - the single buckle that tightens over the cumberbun, or something different?

Now for the really tough question - did you buy the BC locally, or online?

Have you actualy used the BC, or is it still new?

Give me those answers and we will move on...

Scott

 

[Canadian_Diver]

The second question is about wetsuit sizes. I have a weird build, my waist is small 30-32", and my upper torso is 47". I can wear a large bottom half, but even an XL top is very tight on me. Are all wetsuits measured with the same standards? I am having a hard time finding a suit that fits my frame, any ideas?

Companies like Oceaner will make a custom wetsuit / drysuit to your dimensions. Not many people are 'off the rack', so don't feel bad.

 

[8dDUCE]

Scott,
It is the front single buckle. I am unclear on the waist panels position, The only thing I have adjusted is the shoulder straps and cumberbun. The actual cumberbun is pulled over to the point that it is going under the left front pocket about 2 inches. I bought the BC at a Local shop.

I have tried the BC out in a pool, it will keep everything together, the tank will not shift around. I have about an inch or so of space in the front buckle, with the cumberbun tightened. I like the way it feels, it is just the extra space that makes the front buckle loose. It will secure, it just has this gap in it.

If I can move the waist panels in, that is if they are not already, I might be able to get the front buckle hold more securely. I do not want to show my ignorance by wearing my BC incorrectly. I have never used a BC before, so I am learning. Thankyou.

Scott.

 

[kidspot]

you might also check out http://www.scubal.com for a custom suit - runs about $150 after shipping.

 

[ScottZeagle]

Scott,
It is the front single buckle. I am unclear on the waist panels position, The only thing I have adjusted is the shoulder straps and cumberbun. The actual cumberbun is pulled over to the point that it is going under the left front pocket about 2 inches. I bought the BC at a Local shop.

I have tried the BC out in a pool, it will keep everything together, the tank will not shift around. I have about an inch or so of space in the front buckle, with the cumberbun tightened. I like the way it feels, it is just the extra space that makes the front buckle loose. It will secure, it just has this gap in it.

If I can move the waist panels in, that is if they are not already, I might be able to get the front buckle hold more securely. I do not want to show my ignorance by wearing my BC incorrectly. I have never used a BC before, so I am learning. Thankyou.

Scott.

I would highly suggest that you take the BC to the shop and ask the guys to take a look at the fit. They can also check to see if it can be adjusted smaller. It sounds to me (and without actually seeing you in the BC, I am just making an educated guess) that the vest section is a little too big. If they concur, ask them to swap out the vest section for the next smaler size, and adjust the waist panels to fit you perfectly.

Scott

 

[DiveMaven]

There just isn't anything like having a question answered directly by the manufacturer without having to go through a phone tree!! Scott, you ROCK!!!

I just can't say enough about how much I love Zeagle products...most BCs that don't fit right have to be completely exchanged, but not Zeagle. Modular design is so fantastic I'm amazed that other manufacturers don't do it.

 

[8dDUCE]

Thanks Scott,
Will the next smaller size fit me in the upper torso? This BC fits very well in the chest and shoulder area, it is just the waist that has the extra space. The waist panels are at most rearward postion, I just checked it out.

BTW, My wife has the Zena BC, she Loves it. I wanted to get a Ranger, but from reading threads on this site, I belive the Escape will fit my style of diving perfectly. Thanks again. Scott.

 

[ScottZeagle]

Thanks Scott,
Will the next smaller size fit me in the upper torso? This BC fits very well in the chest and shoulder area, it is just the waist that has the extra space. The waist panels are at most rearward postion, I just checked it out.

BTW, My wife has the Zena BC, she Loves it. I wanted to get a Ranger, but from reading threads on this site, I belive the Escape will fit my style of diving perfectly. Thanks again. Scott.

The shoulders are removable. Let's say you start with a standard size "LG" BC.
The vest section is too big, but the shoulders fit you perfectly. With our system, you take a "MD" vest section, and add the "LG" shoulders....the result is something like a "custom sized" BC, but without the custom price tag!!!

Hope that helps.

Yeah, those Zena BCs are definitely popular with the ladies!!

Thanks for diving Zeagle!!!

Scott