Jacket BCD for daughter?

[Mason Gierke]

My daughter and I are new to diving and slowly going to acquire our gear. She likes jacket style bcd's and found one made by sea elite called the scout. My question is are there any jackets I should stay away from as far as a quality stand point, and are there any weight pockets better than others. I dont want pockets that might come out and drop, thenhave to catch her cause she's floating up. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[tbone1004]

how tall is she, how old is she, and how tall are you expecting her to be?

 

[diversteve]

Sea Elite is the Diver's Supply house brand so all maintenance/warranty work would require you to send it back to them.. Simple things like servicing the inflator could probably be done by your local shop. Barring mfg's defects or something tearing - it's most of what could need regular manienence.

Some Cressi models are available in XS female sizes..Several of the ladies Aqualungs are also available in Ladies XS but not kid-sized.

Zeagle also sells a Ranger Jr. but it's unisex but based on a man's model - and is back-inflate so a jacket but does not "squeeze" if that's what she likes.
To your other point - it uses their Ripord which is a threaded weight release system - it takes a very conscious - and long pull to dump the weights. They even velcro the handle so it can't catch on something. Prettty bulletproof yet immediately drops when it needs to.

Ir;s been my observation here that any weight systems using Velcro as the primary retention,method seem to fail more often than those with some sort of locking mechanism.

 

[Mason Gierke]

She is 16, around 5'10", not a petite girl. During training and our diving since then she is renting a L or XL they both seem to fit her about the same. I'm not looking to spend a fortune on a bcd for her, she will be off to college in a couple years and there is a very good possibility she will be playing softball so I'm not sure how much diving she will get in after a couple years.

 

[tbone1004]

She is 16, around 5'10", not a petite girl. During training and our diving since then she is renting a L or XL they both seem to fit her about the same. I'm not looking to spend a fortune on a bcd for her, she will be off to college in a couple years and there is a very good possibility she will be playing softball so I'm not sure how much diving she will get in after a couple years.

she needs to try a backplate and wing before you buy her anything. $300 for a good one whenever @Bryan@Vintage Double Hose gets stock again... hint hint wink wink...
Designed for her height, goes around lady curves better than any jacket bcd will, and doesn't move. Hell, buy a used one on here, there are usually a couple in the marketplace at any point in time

 

[diversteve]

Skip tje Ranger Jr - it's for smaller kids.

They sell a Zena ladies model but both it and Aqualun ,models are on the pricier side.

Where are you diving? warm or dold?

 

[diversteve]

Tale a drive to Dive Right in Scuba in Plainfield one day - they can show you affordable options.

Buy Scuba Dive Gear & Accessories Online | Discount Scuba Gear Store | Dive Right In Scuba | www.diverightinscuba.com - Dive Right in Scuba

 

[diversteve]

, goes around lady curves better than any jacket bcd will,

********...it's a flat steel plate. I will concede they don't move. DRIS sells some affordable models.

If she does lose interest - re-cut $20 of webbing and it becomes Your BP/W,,,

 

[tbone1004]

********...it's a flat steel plate.

the harness, not the plate. Though the plates do have bends in them. Doesn't have to be a SS plate, the soft plates with simple harnesses are still better than jacket bc's

 

[Melanie White]

I must be weird I love the jackets and buying me one but to each their own
I like having stuff I need in an easy location