How many BCs should you have?

[shunshun]

Hello, I am in an advance class, got so addicted to scuba diving and gears... I was wondering if anyone here could tell me how many BCs I should keep? Thank you.

 

[Geoff_H]

Just one should be enough! Get a backplate/wing and you can always customise it for different diving situations if you so desire...

 

[TSandM]

Most people can get by with one BC.

If you dive a lot at home in cold water with heavy gear, and also do tropical vacations, you MIGHT want to have two and optimize them for conditions. (A lot of us with backplates have a couple of different wings for this reason.)

 

[Teamcasa]

That would depend on how many different types and locations you dive. Most people do just fine with one BC but others sport different configurations of their existing system.

Some systems are very flexible and can easily adapted. A harness system, (Hogarthian, Dive Rite TransPac, Apeks WTX or otherwise) can use different wings or back plates to meet the divers needs.

 

[shunshun]

Backplate/wing sounds great. But I have already have one Aqualung Cousteau (about 10 years old) and one Zeagle escape (5 years old), they are all in great shape. Would anyone suggest me to get rid of one of them?

 

[FishOutUvH2O]

... I was wondering if anyone here could tell me how many BCs I should keep? Thank you.

As many as you want. Opinions are going to vary widely, but in the end, it's your money and you have to dive the equipment.

 

[rcpalmer1]

If they are in good condition and fit well use them. I have a BC that is 6 years old. I just got a new one because I was offered key-man. I made maybe a dozen dives in it and I am now back in my old BC. It is more comfortable and that is the number one thing we teach about gear is it has to be comfortable. Just careful with older gear I have seen inflater hoses break off and dump valves get stuck opened. Setting up without being used is bad on gear. Regularly used and maintained gear can last for years and years.

 

[AbyssalPlains]

Ummm...strange question?

 

[Rhone Man]

Hello, I am in an advance class, got so addicted to scuba diving and gears... I was wondering if anyone here could tell me how many BCs I should keep? Thank you.

As many as your wife will allow you of course...

I am actually one of the Luddites who doesn't like the BP/W configuration (which is heresey on SB), so I have two different sizes for light and heavy. But I will concede that at least with a BP/W it is modular so you can chop and change parts rather BCs if you need to make a change.

 

[The Chairman]

I have a BC to match anyone of the diving conditions I'll be in. Actually, I have quite a few MORE than that... but I keep three handy to dash out diving. A light back inflate BC for the tropics and traveling, a SS back plate and appropriate wing for most of my Florida diving and a Kydex back plate and appropriate wing for when I use doubles.

Of course, I have various rigs for my students, for those needing gear here in Florida and those sent to me for testing. After DEMA, my normal rig for Florida just might change. We'll see after I get a chance to test it in the water.