MSilvia
Contributor
After about 15 dives on rental gear, I bought a SeaQuest Spectrum3 ADV jacket-style BC, and thought it was great until I started wanting something more durable (having less plastic and more stainless steel) that would continue to serve me well as I transition into more technical diving.
I found a great deal on a DiveRite Transpac II , and so far have been very happy with it. It's made it easier to adjust my trim, is less bulky and more versatile, and is more comfortable, more stable, and more streamlined than my old SQ. It also has removable wings, allowing me to adjust the bouyancy characteristics by selecting a wing with a size and profile suited to my needs. Currently, I dive with an AL80 tank and the Rec Wing, which provides up to 51 lbs of lift and can be used with a backplate and up to HP120 doubles if I so choose.
I expect that I'll eventually trade up to a bp/wing setup though, as it's the simplest, sturdiest, and most versatile way to go. I understand they're noticably more stable than even the transpac, and generally don't rely on any plastic connectors. As you go deeper or otherwise undertake more challenging dives, it becomes increasingly important to have gear you can rely on not to fail at an inopportune moment. If I had it to do over, I might have gone with this setup in the first place and spared myself the trouble of growing out of gear that worked, but which would soon seem inadequate to me.
As for bouyancy, I'm 5'11 and 240#, and started diving in a 2 piece 7mm wetsuit with 42 lbs, which was what it apparently took to drag my excited, figety, tense self to the bottom. I'm now diving with 28 lbs of lead, and could probably shave off another two and submerge just fine.
What made the difference? In a word, comfort. The more diving I did, the more relaxed I became, and the more I became aware of things like holding lots of air in my lungs at the surface, kicking my feet slightly while trying to submerge, etc. Next time you feel underweighted, try this:
Cross your legs as if sitting "Indian style" (so you don't accidentally kick). Relax, and hold your hands above your head while dumping all the air from your BC. Exhale deeply while staying relaxed, and see if you don't end up underwater. As you become more comfortable in the water, you can apply the same principles without the funny posture and achieve the same end.
I found a great deal on a DiveRite Transpac II , and so far have been very happy with it. It's made it easier to adjust my trim, is less bulky and more versatile, and is more comfortable, more stable, and more streamlined than my old SQ. It also has removable wings, allowing me to adjust the bouyancy characteristics by selecting a wing with a size and profile suited to my needs. Currently, I dive with an AL80 tank and the Rec Wing, which provides up to 51 lbs of lift and can be used with a backplate and up to HP120 doubles if I so choose.
I expect that I'll eventually trade up to a bp/wing setup though, as it's the simplest, sturdiest, and most versatile way to go. I understand they're noticably more stable than even the transpac, and generally don't rely on any plastic connectors. As you go deeper or otherwise undertake more challenging dives, it becomes increasingly important to have gear you can rely on not to fail at an inopportune moment. If I had it to do over, I might have gone with this setup in the first place and spared myself the trouble of growing out of gear that worked, but which would soon seem inadequate to me.
As for bouyancy, I'm 5'11 and 240#, and started diving in a 2 piece 7mm wetsuit with 42 lbs, which was what it apparently took to drag my excited, figety, tense self to the bottom. I'm now diving with 28 lbs of lead, and could probably shave off another two and submerge just fine.
What made the difference? In a word, comfort. The more diving I did, the more relaxed I became, and the more I became aware of things like holding lots of air in my lungs at the surface, kicking my feet slightly while trying to submerge, etc. Next time you feel underweighted, try this:
Cross your legs as if sitting "Indian style" (so you don't accidentally kick). Relax, and hold your hands above your head while dumping all the air from your BC. Exhale deeply while staying relaxed, and see if you don't end up underwater. As you become more comfortable in the water, you can apply the same principles without the funny posture and achieve the same end.
