Got a new back inflate BCD. Any suggestions for first dive with it?

[underachiever]

My dive buddy(wife) and I purchased our BC's this past weekend. We got SeaQuest (malibu). We have not dove with a back inflate yet. From what I have read on this forum they sound great. The only situation I've read is they might tend to push you forward on the surface. To help this situation we should not not over inflate on the surface(correct?) and maybe put a little weight in the back pocket? How much? 1lb/side, 2 lbs/side? Our previous weight amounts were 22 lbs (in a BC)with a full farmer john wet suit 3mm (first OW dives 1 thru 8) in salt water and 16 lbs in our own wet suit (jumpsuit 3/2mm) This was with weight belts.(dives 9 thru 14)

Looking for suggestions about rear weight amounts? or should it just be trial and error?

The only thing I think I may want to add to the BC's are maybe an additional pocket. Has anyone added a pocket to a BC and how did you do it? I have seen them for sale just wanted to know how you attached them?
Anyone have one of these BC's and are you pleased? I think we did get a good deal on these from our LDS. Not the best but they certainly made the effort. We have not bought everything from them but I did want to get anything that may need servicing from them as long as they will work with us on price. Probably get reg and computers from them next year.

 

[hvulin]

Just enjoy your dives and don't be bothered by technical details....

 

[TSandM]

Make sure you do a weight check at the beginning of the dive, if you can -- If you weight yourself neutral at the surface with a full tank, and then add the amount of weight that corresponds to the air in your tank, you should have it just right.

The distribution of weight between the integrated pockets and the trim pockets should be set to give you an effortless horizontal position in the water, not to determine your position on the surface. (Actually, if you get the weight right for the former, the latter just comes.) So, once you have your total weight correct, do a dive, and do some hovering during it. Notice whether you tend to tip feet down or head down, and then move weight accordingly.

Have fun with your new stuff!

Oh, and I should add that total weight AND weight distribution will change when you use different tanks.

 

[ZzzKing]

My back-inflate is not a Seaquest but I put about 2/3 of my weight in the back pockets. Most of the folks I've seen on here use less. Maybe 1/3 to 1/2. The weight you put in the back is less easy to ditch in the event of an emergency but you shouldn't be needing to ditch much weight anyway if you are weighted properly. I typically have 4 lbs in the front and 8 in the back with 3 mil WS and 2 mil hooded vest in freshwater. Also, I can inflate my bladder up until it blows out of the pull valves and still don't end up on my face.

Bottom line is that you'll need to spend a little time on your first dive sorting your weighting and trim out. Of course this is true regardless of what type of buoyancy device you buy.

Good luck with your new toys!

PS - TSandM is faster on the trigger than me and more eloquent to boot.

 

[Steve Egner]

I dive in a Seaquest Black Diamond, also a back-inflate model.

I keep a 4lb. soft weight in each back pocket, for a total of 8lbs. The rest goes in my integrated pockets. When diving wet in my 7ml, my total weight requirement was 24 pounds, in my drysuit I'm up to 32 (egads!).

When I used my BC in Hawaii, I forgot to distribute weight to my back pockets, and the BC wanted to pitch me forward at the surface. For the second dive, I loaded the back pockets as usual, and all was well. Nice trim underwater, no problems on the surface.

I hope that helps,

Steve

 

[Cuda_72]

I have about a dozen dives on my Transpac and I have never experienced a face plant tendency at the surface. I put a bit of air in the wing and sort of lay back. No problems at all.

I carry 4 lbs with a full 3mm suit and a 3mm hood in freshwater.

My best suggestion would be to dive it plenty and don't hesitate to make tweaks to your rig trying different configurations.

Good luck and have fun with the new gear.

 

[DiverLS]

I have a back inflate bc and use 8-10 lbs un dumpable weight in the back and 15-20 lbs in the front. The excess is 'cause I dive dry in the pacific. My undergarment is the heaviest I can buy. I have no problem on the surface. The weight in the front is integrated so it's under my arms anyway.

Have fun with your new equipment. My back inflate was the best purchase I made.

 

[underachiever]

Do you own your own weights? or always just pick them up at the dive shop or boat?

 

[BarryNL]

I'd say that, as a preference, the first dive with any major kit change should be in a swimming pool. If you're in a dive club which has regular pool access I'd use this as an opportunity to try out the new kit. Especially with weighting - you can hop in and out of the pool with different weightings.

Just like I did with my new BP/W yesterday Got a lot of interest from all the BCD divers there too...

 

[dvr4lyf]

I got a TranspacII a few months ago. Been in the pool only with trying out different configurations. Still trying to dial it in! Sheesh! :jpshakehe But I love it!!!:07: