Rear-inflation: Worries

[alan_lee]

Hi all! A local dive shop offered me a good deal for a BCD, reg and gauge, but the BCD is a Oceanic Islander, which I gathered from Scubadiving mag, is a good BCD for its price, plus it's easily to lug around. However, my concern is that it's a rear-inflation system, which I've never tried before, and I've got a friend who's trying his darnest to dissuade me. He's a very proficient diver, but said that he's got so much problems with his rear-inflated BCD, comparing it to leaning back on a beach ball, and saying that he had a hard time controlling his movements.

Frankly, I do like the BCD from the reviews and after trying it on in the shop, but my friend's words have me worried! Do keep in mind that I've yet to do my Open Water yet (this weekend), so am a newbie. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Cheerios!

 

[Halthron]

Jacket: Sit in the middle, air surrounds you. Under the surface, air can also move all around you.

Back Inflate: Air only on the back. If someone used to a jacket wears a back inflate, they often complain the BC is pushing them forward. Simply lean back a little bit. Generally easier to control trim and balance because air won't move all around on you, it stays at your back.

Either one will work and neither is "better" for an experienced recreational diver. Most people (not all) who have tried it, find that it's easier to control their movements underwater with a back inflate BC than it is with a jacket.

 

[Kim]

Have a read of this recent thread:
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=141663

Should give you a lot of answers! eyebrow

 

[m3830431]

Some people like the back inflate because if you over fil it at the surface you don't feel the squeeze.

Many have trim pockets near the upper tank to prevent the leaning feeling.

More people complain about the back inflate at the surface. They feel it is pushing them forward(face in water).

I like the back inflate

 

[dbg40]

If a rear inflation causes you to be pushed, or "leaned" foward on the surface, you're putting too much air in it. Just deflate a little and there is no diference in the two. One thing that is never mentioned as far as a BPW is concerned, is the comfort it provides on the surface because the crotch strap keeps the whole thing down where it belongs instead of pulling up over your head, while you sink.

 

[ronrosa]

Yeah, but how many back inflate BC's come with a crotch strap ?

 

[Seraphimx]

Well all the DiveRite, Apeks and OMS have crotch strap.

and if you want one on your BC just fix one on it.

 

[cool_hardware52]

If a rear inflation causes you to be pushed, or "leaned" foward on the surface, you're putting too much air in it. Just deflate a little and there is no diference in the two. One thing that is never mentioned as far as a BPW is concerned, is the comfort it provides on the surface because the crotch strap keeps the whole thing down where it belongs instead of pulling up over your head, while you sink.

dbg40 Has it exactly correct. If you are properly weighted, and using a crotch strap, all you need is a few puffs in the wing (or BI) to get your chin out of the water at the surface. This small amount of gas will be behind your head and neck, and will not push you face first.

If the diver is overweighted and needs to fill the wing fully there will be gas down around his rear end. This will force you forward.

No crotch strap? The inflated BC will rise, but the diver does not, now you have the tank over your head, not to comfy.

I will also mention that many jacket BC divers are conditioned to fill their BC fully at the surface, and float with 1/2 of their sternum out of the water. If you try this in a BI or BP&W, you will rock forward.

Tobin

 

[Daner]

I have a back inflate BC and love it. I was never fond of the squeeze from the jacket BCs. That being said, wait until you are certified, rent a few different types of BCDs before you spend the money. It is too much money to spend before you even know how to dive.

 

[ShoalDiverSA]

I love the raft effect of the wing on the surface. In fact, I far prefer it to my old BC for its "handling" on the surface. In rough seas, I really needed to inflate my BC a lot to get the desired clearance from the surface, resulting in major squeeze. Now, with my BP/Wing, I can lie back on the fully inflated wing and wait for the boat to pick me up.

Cheers,

Andrew