jacket style vs. back inflation

[DivingCRNA]

IMHO back inflation is much much more comfortable and a better ride. If your used to jacket style, it will take a dive or two to get used to where it inflates, just as it would someone used to a back style going to jacket. Its not a new diver problem, its a new diver question. They are differnet but make a couple dives with both and then decide.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bflem55
it just seemed like I had trouble getting neatrual

That is a new diver problem, not a BC problem... [I was responding to the remark in red]

Getting neutral is frequently a new diver problem and usually unrelated to style of BC. A new BC will not give a new diver the experience needed to maintain neutral bouyancy, no matter what style of BC it is.

 

[DivingCRNA]

Well if you are a bean pole like me they can tend to push you face first towards the water when you are on the surface.

They do not push you face down. You can end up face down, but usually only when you overinflate the BC/wing and/ or have all of your weight on the front of your body, and/or you do not simply lean back and relax on the surface.

If you end up face down, it is because the bladder floats and your weight pulls you face down.

 

[drew52]

and most new divers over inflate at the surface. this is why people say jacket style bc's crush them. if you don't over inflate the jacket style will not crush you and the back inflate or BP/wing will not push you forward.

 

[Steve_Dives]

I went jacket style. One reason was for pockets to stash gear where it wouldn't be dangling. The other reason was I read about some dive accidents occurring on the surface, and figured that in an exhausted or impaired condition it would be a little more margin. I don't notice any squeeze except when I overinflate before or after a dive. I have noticed that the jacket provides a little extra insulation, which might help keep you a little warmer.

That being said, I like the freedom I feel with just a snorkeling set. So I may look for something less jacket-like in the future.

 

[djanni]

All my diving has been in Alabama, Florida, Mexico or the Caribbean. Warm water diving in other words.

Based on my observations I would say the percentage of people who use one of the 3 styles is as follows:

Jacket Style = 60%

Back-Inflate = 39.5%

BP/W = .05%

That ratio certainally doesn't match that of most Scubaboard "regulars" but it is real world; i.e., my part of the world.

There are jacket style mfg's whose BC doesn't squeeze when fully inflated. Oceanic for one. Personally, I like the back-inflate style but I can't offer any specific reasons that aren't mostly subjective. I have a Zeagle Stilleto and a Dive-Rite Transpac. My wife loves her jacket - an Isla by Oceanic. Jacket vs back-inflate is sort of a Mercerdes vs Lexus thing.

If you plan to move into tech diving of some sort, or twin tanks in near future then give the metal backplate style some consideration as that is the type of diving where they are more commonly found.

BTW: Being pushed face forward on the surface with a back-inflate... I guess it's possible to get a face forward push with a back-inflate or bp/w style but I've never experienced it. Then I've never had a reason to fully inflate the bladder on the surface either.

 

[dk2943]

I, too, learned with a jacket. After I got my OW certification, I rented bc's. They were all jackets. I just bought a Riptide Zone II back inflator. Tried it last weekend and found it boe MUCH more comfortable

 

[OE2X]

As far as getting pushed face forward with a back inflate - I have had it happen to me, but it was with a Ranger and Knighthawk.

With a Back Plate and wing, there is a crotch strap that keeps the wing from floating forward. Not sure if that is the reason why a BPW has never pushed me forward on the surface or not...

 

[Rainer]

All my diving has been in Alabama, Florida, Mexico or the Caribbean. Warm water diving in other words.

Based on my observations I would say the percentage of people who use one of the 3 styles is as follows:

Jacket Style = 60%

Back-Inflate = 39.5%

BP/W = .05%

That ratio certainally doesn't match that of most Scubaboard "regulars" but it is real world; i.e., my part of the world.

There are jacket style mfg's whose BC doesn't squeeze when fully inflated. Oceanic for one. Personally, I like the back-inflate style but I can't offer any specific reasons that aren't mostly subjective. I have a Zeagle Stilleto and a Dive-Rite Transpac. My wife loves her jacket - an Isla by Oceanic. Jacket vs back-inflate is sort of a Mercerdes vs Lexus thing.

If you plan to move into tech diving of some sort, or twin tanks in near future then give the metal backplate style some consideration as that is the type of diving where they are more commonly found.

BTW: Being pushed face forward on the surface with a back-inflate... I guess it's possible to get a face forward push with a back-inflate or bp/w style but I've never experienced it. Then I've never had a reason to fully inflate the bladder on the surface either.

What about the remaining 0.45%?

 

[hvulin]

What about the remaining 0.45%?

they probably dove with just harnes and bottle... (no BC at all)

 

[Tigerman]

I use a http://www.coltrisub.it/CATALOGO_ATTREZZATURE/HTM/02_BCDS/bcds_oj1.htm# and dont have any noticeable problems with it squeezing me or anything. However I also dive dry, so I just use the BCD for the "nearly there" bouyancy and use the suit for the fine-tuning. I have filled the BCD full a few times tho, and then i feel i wear it, but still dont get uncomfortably squeezed. I guess using a vest of the right size would also make a difference. Ive used a slightly small BCD on a couple of dives and that DID get uncomfortable if I filled it to much..