Jacket vs Back Flotation

[Tavi]

Hi,
After a lot of research I thought back bouyancy was the way to go, better trim in the water, less confining, etc.
I had the opportunity to try out a Zeagle in the pool. I don't know which model it was. It kept putting me at an angle in the water, like all the air was on one side. And I would have to twist around in an awkward position to get it to dump.
Is this typical of back mounted BC's?
Any input would be appreciated.
Tavi

 

[Warhammer]

Maybe you had more weight on one side than the other? Any heavy gear to one side that wasn't on the other? That would throw off your balance. Even a 2 lbs more on one side than the other will turn you turtle when you stop finning, or at least it does me. I haven't had any problems with balance in my ranger. I've also dove the concept with the same result. So I'd say it's a trim issue rather than a BC issue.

If you mean that it pushes your face down while on the surface, then yes, that is a trait with just about all back-inflation BCs. That's where all the lift is, so naturally it will tilt your head down while on the suface. I counteract this by lying on my back vs vertical when on the surface. They also sell ditchable and non-ditchable addon tank band weight pockets for eliminating this issue.

And yes, the Zeagle BCs can trap air when ascending. That's why they reccommend that you get your left shoulder a little higher than your right while ascending. I've never found this to be a problem though, just something that you learn to do. I'm not sure if other back-inflation BCs have this issue or not.

 

[Tavi]

Warhammer,
It wasn't weights that caused it. I had a steel tank and didn't need any additional weight. With octo on one side, and console on the other, no other equipment, I should have been pretty well balanced.
thanks for the input,
Tavi

 

[Warhammer]

Then I don't know, except maybe repostioning your tank. I spent several hours in the pool yesterday with my wife and an instructor that was refreshing her skills, and I most have hovered for 30 minutes or longer (nearly went to sleep) and I never had a tendency to turn turtle.

 

[Tavi]

Thanks, I guess I'm just gonna have to try it again.
Tavi

 

[Splitlip]

Hi,
After a lot of research I thought back bouyancy was the way to go, better trim in the water, less confining, etc.
I had the opportunity to try out a Zeagle in the pool. I don't know which model it was. It kept putting me at an angle in the water, like all the air was on one side. And I would have to twist around in an awkward position to get it to dump.
Is this typical of back mounted BC's?
Any input would be appreciated.
Tavi

You should consider a BPW. You'll carry less ballast because of the plate, and by their nature they have zero inherent buoyancy. You'll trim out better and they are more streamlined than conventional BCD's.

 

[CT Sean]

After 11+ years I'm hoping he's long since made his choice.

 

[ktomlinson]

There are kids out there diving today that weren't even thought of yet when this thread started! I have had the experience of diving back inflates on every dive after open water except for two earlier this month and two this last weekend. I feel that underwater they are about the same and I was able to maintain proper trim with either...but on the surface the jacket bc seemed to push me forward while the BP/W setup I normally wear floats me like a cork (straight up and down).