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I agree with Jim on the "lever" being a bad idea. You were using an Aqualung (AL) I3 based system right? One other factor is that if you plan to travel, only Aqualung certified technicians can fix it in the field. Although AL has a excellent worldwide presence, they're not everywhere.
Only AL-certified techs can work on it due to the complexity and specialized parts needed also. Additionally, all the inflator dump valves on that line are non-standard since each one is also controlled by a linkage - again more moving parts and AL specific replacement needed. Standard inflators and pull-dumps are available everywhere. In an emergency you could even cannibalize a rental BC as needed.
Some buoyancy systems have the inflator mounted almost - or even in the center of the wing. So they're easily set up to be ambidextrous. There's also nothing special about where it mounts so a BCD with a right shoulder dump can easily be modified simply by unscrewing and swapping the inflator hose with the dump mechanism. For this to work, the BCD has to have an upper right pull dump - not all models do but most of the better ones in a mfr's line will.
Also the inflator hose is just basically a hollow rubber tube so they're often available in different lengths. So a slightly longer one can be routed over the right shoulder also.
Zeagle systems can be configured easily in this fashion simply by removing two cable ties and rotating the inflator 180o so it is now functional for use with your right hand. Additionally you can position a wrist mounted computer on your right wrist in such a fashion that you can observe it while surfacing. There are several threads here about the company working with a wounded warrior who lost/has strength issues with their left hands and they were able to swap everything as needed to the other side for them. http://www.zeagle.com/en/Products-Repository/BCDS
The other advantage to Zeagle for you specifically is that their Ripcord weight system is a single handle that you pull to release the contents of both front weight pockets simultaneously. As you can see it mounts on the lower left front pocket and is designed to be pulled by your right hand. There are also tank strap mounted trim weight pockets so you can keep a portion of your weight as non-dumpable to slow any potential ascent situation to a more controllable one. I personally own one and configure my weights 60/40 and have test dropped the front - you go up fast but not screaming fast even without remembering to vent your BC as you do. They also have individual velcro closures so you would be able to drop at least the back right one also if needed.
The yellow weight pockets retain any combination of hard/shot weights also while diving. Then later if you want to hand up your weights individually before re-boarding - they unzip from the top and have long handles to facilitate this. I have a bad knee so that's my standard practice on dive boats.
Since you mentioned being plum shaped, their women shaped models - Zena or Lazer - also come with their Personal Fit System. Many of the components can be swapped for different sizes as needed either at your dealer or later. Mine didn't even charge me extra to do that - I was a lot heavier when I purchased my system than I am now. It has 3" of horizontal adjustment on both sides so simply by moving two captive screws so I'm still using the same components now after having dropped about 60lbs. I'm sure there are divers in your area using Zeagle products also - their Ranger is an ideal cold water rough conditions shore diving BCD for guys.
One popular option in your area is a Backplate/Wing design also - it's very optimal for cold water diving. Deep See Supply sells a line of them. The advantage to it is when set up properly no additional weight is needed. The plate is steel (or aluminum - even Kydex(plastic) for travel) and they sell permanent bolt-on weight plates to adjust your trim to the perfect balance for the conditions. If you travel to the tropics, you just remove/change them. Or maybe add weights in either a belt or pockets - since BP/W designs are simplified many users wear pocketed shorts over their wetsuit also. You can also change bladders to further fine tune it to the conditions as needed - say you decide to dive doubles later - all you need to do is change the wing.
The company is located in Pasadena? and also has both a web site and a forum here in our mfr's section. coolhardware52 is Tobin George - the owner. He's extremely helpful so if you go that route I'm sure he'd help you configure it correctly - he dives in similar conditions to yours locally. https://www.deepseasupply.com/
Only AL-certified techs can work on it due to the complexity and specialized parts needed also. Additionally, all the inflator dump valves on that line are non-standard since each one is also controlled by a linkage - again more moving parts and AL specific replacement needed. Standard inflators and pull-dumps are available everywhere. In an emergency you could even cannibalize a rental BC as needed.
Some buoyancy systems have the inflator mounted almost - or even in the center of the wing. So they're easily set up to be ambidextrous. There's also nothing special about where it mounts so a BCD with a right shoulder dump can easily be modified simply by unscrewing and swapping the inflator hose with the dump mechanism. For this to work, the BCD has to have an upper right pull dump - not all models do but most of the better ones in a mfr's line will.
Also the inflator hose is just basically a hollow rubber tube so they're often available in different lengths. So a slightly longer one can be routed over the right shoulder also.
Zeagle systems can be configured easily in this fashion simply by removing two cable ties and rotating the inflator 180o so it is now functional for use with your right hand. Additionally you can position a wrist mounted computer on your right wrist in such a fashion that you can observe it while surfacing. There are several threads here about the company working with a wounded warrior who lost/has strength issues with their left hands and they were able to swap everything as needed to the other side for them. http://www.zeagle.com/en/Products-Repository/BCDS
The other advantage to Zeagle for you specifically is that their Ripcord weight system is a single handle that you pull to release the contents of both front weight pockets simultaneously. As you can see it mounts on the lower left front pocket and is designed to be pulled by your right hand. There are also tank strap mounted trim weight pockets so you can keep a portion of your weight as non-dumpable to slow any potential ascent situation to a more controllable one. I personally own one and configure my weights 60/40 and have test dropped the front - you go up fast but not screaming fast even without remembering to vent your BC as you do. They also have individual velcro closures so you would be able to drop at least the back right one also if needed.
The yellow weight pockets retain any combination of hard/shot weights also while diving. Then later if you want to hand up your weights individually before re-boarding - they unzip from the top and have long handles to facilitate this. I have a bad knee so that's my standard practice on dive boats.
Since you mentioned being plum shaped, their women shaped models - Zena or Lazer - also come with their Personal Fit System. Many of the components can be swapped for different sizes as needed either at your dealer or later. Mine didn't even charge me extra to do that - I was a lot heavier when I purchased my system than I am now. It has 3" of horizontal adjustment on both sides so simply by moving two captive screws so I'm still using the same components now after having dropped about 60lbs. I'm sure there are divers in your area using Zeagle products also - their Ranger is an ideal cold water rough conditions shore diving BCD for guys.
One popular option in your area is a Backplate/Wing design also - it's very optimal for cold water diving. Deep See Supply sells a line of them. The advantage to it is when set up properly no additional weight is needed. The plate is steel (or aluminum - even Kydex(plastic) for travel) and they sell permanent bolt-on weight plates to adjust your trim to the perfect balance for the conditions. If you travel to the tropics, you just remove/change them. Or maybe add weights in either a belt or pockets - since BP/W designs are simplified many users wear pocketed shorts over their wetsuit also. You can also change bladders to further fine tune it to the conditions as needed - say you decide to dive doubles later - all you need to do is change the wing.
The company is located in Pasadena? and also has both a web site and a forum here in our mfr's section. coolhardware52 is Tobin George - the owner. He's extremely helpful so if you go that route I'm sure he'd help you configure it correctly - he dives in similar conditions to yours locally. https://www.deepseasupply.com/
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