let's talk BC's

[Starfish]

Last night I went out and bought my first set of regs!

I already have a used BC that I bought when I took my first class. I inquired, while at the shop, if they made any woman specific BC's for women above a size 14 (technically theu make a 16, but I have been told that women usually have to size up so if they wear a M they end up buying a L in woman specific BCs). The answer was no.

I find it interesting that most of the male divers I know are definately not GQ or Mens Health fit, and can always find exposure suits and BC's to fit.

Anyone have any idea when someone is going to address WOMEN sized BC's?? --Starfish (P.S. I wear a woman's 18W)

 

[bcfrench]

I was a size 14 when I started diving in June 1999 -- I'm now a size 12 (slowly decreasing -- yay! ). I wear a size medium regular Diva and I love it.

You're about the same size as my sister, and if I was making a recommendation for her I would recommend trying the new back-flotation Diva in extra large. Or, perhaps a men's tech-style BC -- definitely not a jacket style like the ScubaPro Classic. Although they have a lot of lift, I don't find those jacket-style BCs very comfortable because of chest squeeze (I'm only a B cup, but still ...!)

It sort of depends on whether you're a sinker or a floater; I've always been a sinker. The regular Diva doesn't have as much lift, but it has always been adequate for my uses.

I often wonder what larger women do for exposure suits. I find it ridiculous that as a size 12 I wear an extra-large wetsuit.

...Barb

 

[Starfish]

When I inquired from a couple of dealers, they said that Diva didn't make an XL! So I guess I'll have to hunt that info down.

As for exposure suits, I have a man's XL Lycra that is baggie in the knees. For a bottom, I have a Farmer JOHN, not Jane, as I am "boyish" for my size (16) and smaller in the hips then the top. I don't have a jacket, but I am trying to find one pre-made. I will probably have to special order, as the company that sold me the John use to make jackets but they seem to have disappeared from stock this year when I was ready to purchase one.

In class they had 2 "larger size" womens john and shorties, and I had to get to the suit room ASAP to get a women's cut rather then have to use a man's cut which did compress, when renting.

 

[Natasha]

I finally have the right BCD. I'm a 36D. The Isla BCD by Oceanic is made for women with a larger chest size. I have the XL. It's cut for women. I always wore a man's BC until now.
Give it a try. I love it! And they even have it in purple my favorite color!
:sunny:

 

[LuvsTurtles]

I have to agree with Natasha - I LOVE my Isla. I'm only 5 foot and finding a BC that didn't hang down to my knees was getting frustrating.

The Isla has sliders so you can slide your harness straps back away from your chest.

 

[scubabunny]

Its true that Seaquest doesn't make the new Diva in XL. Don't ask me why! But, Seaquest does seem to use a shorter backpack than other manufacturers, in ALL their BCs, not just the one's "made for women". You may want to try one of their back inflation BCs. I don't think the Balance would have enough lift if you are doing cold water diving, but the Black Diamond is comfortable on me too...even if it does look very "manly".

Or, try the LadyHawk by Scubapro. Only comes in 3 sizes (XS-S, M, L-XL) so it is very adjustable.

I use the old style Diva, but I have recently bleached my BC (don't ask!) so I am looking at the LadyHawk for my new one. If it help any, everyone who has dove with it absolutely loves it!

 

[seaangel]

I bought a Tusa Platina M, and have been very happy with it. I started in the Scuba Pro in training, but the Tusa was less expensive and fit my budget at the time. I plan on purchasing a ScubaPro probably next year. I like my BC because of the cut it allows room for me in the bust. I am a 38C and have been losing weight for the last 6mo. Started out in 14 down to 12 now. The M fits fine. In wetsuits I have had problems, traditional 14 were hard to find, seems sizes in the XL in some brands fit and in others the 13-14 is a fit. Dive skins I have both L and XL. Go figure. Best of luck in fitting.

 

[SubMariner]

Yes, we know that some mfg's have started making "women specific" bcds, but I have to tell you that I personally don't use one. Why? Because they STILL don't have a wide range of sizes or styles!

My first BCD was a small Sherwood (jacket style). I then moved to a medium Dacor (jacket style). BTW, this was what I had been using as an Instructor until recently.

My newest aquisition is an small Aeris (hybrid: back & partial side). In all instances it was basically a matter of trying it on with the various types of exposure protection I use, and then "test driving" it.

In the end, I found that the built in neoprene vests that many of the women's specific BCDs had were just too confining & didn't allow me enough freedom of movement, or flexibility in what I wore underneath: I can be diving a full 1/8" neoprene one day or a trilam drysuit the next.

How "pretty" or "feminine" the BC looks is irrelevant! It's the fit & the performance that counts. Otherwise we will be stuck in the "small, pretty & pink" conundrum.

Just my $0.02's worth...

~SubMariner~

 

[Danie]

Don't mention 'small, pretty and pink'.

My dive buddies had hysterics when the only dry suit availble for rent was bright pink! Not quite my colour ;-)

 

[Starfish]

I hear what your saying about different types of exposure suits per type of BCD. I have a second hand Seaquest jacket style that was just fine with 6mm. When I was in Key West, I could have gone down a size with just a lycra suit on. A back plate and wing has been the assumed, "only thing that will fit HER" meaning Plus figure woman. Maybe it is what I need to buy due to varying environments, but I hate the ASSUMPTION that it's because of my size and not because of the need for fit, or because the manufacturer doesn't make something in my size.

Now to find $500!