I'm too fat!

[DelightedDiver]

Michael,

Try the Triple-L BC. They have a variety of sizes and they actually run larger than the size chart states. I use one (the Instructor model) and love it. My husband and I both bought one, based on the size charts, and we both needed one size smaller. The price is also a plus -- around $125 to $150. They also have an integrated weight system that we like. We've been happy with them, though they are a little more positively buoyant than some others. We bought ours through the triple-l online site and got them within a week.

Good luck and have fun diving.

 

[adrisen]

I use am OMS alum backplate and Bungee wing with the IQ harness and love it. I used to dive with an Oceanic BCD. I choose this root to drop some of the weight off my waist. I soon hope to move in to the steel plate when I buy a drysuit. One of the big reasons why I choose this setup aside from the weight was because I found it more comefortable, Before I felt like I was being squeezed everytime I was at the surface. I also felt that there was too much material around me in general. When I used the new set up for the first few dives it took a little getting used to, no there is no problem. I did not find that it was different diving from set up to set up. I just had to learn not to over inflate my wing or I would be face first in the water.

In regards to pricing from Canada to the US:
Depending on where in the US you get your gear, there is a large price difference. My old Oceanic BCD in a discount dive store in the US is $299. US, in the local dive shop it is $350. US, In a canadian store it is between $750-850. Canadian. That is a big difference even with the exchange rate. There are many great deals to be had even it it Canadian or American. I just discoverd that trying to get some basic great like a hood and gloves.

Mike even though you paid shop #1 for the course, you are not required to do your open water certification with them. I suggest that if you are more comfy in the BP/W set up and shop #2 would certify you in that set up, have shop #1 provide you with the referral paperwork and go to shop #2 for the open water certification dives in the gear that you would be comfy in.

I don't believe that there is a weight restriction to enjoy a sport of any kind. I myself lost a few pounds and that is why my BCD was too big and I acctually swam out of it during a dive. As I continue to slowly drop the weight I can adjust the harness to fit me and I wont have to buy a new one. Once I hit the weight goal I will soon head to a drysuit and that is another issue.

Regardless of what you choose and when you get certified, we will go out, go diving and have a great time