Reviews & Questions - Aqualung Rogue

[ZzzKing]

7. Lean back and lay on top of the BC when inflating. Lay your head back. It will feel like sitting in a big easy chair in front of the television.

 

[BarelyBreathing]

Thanks for the tip!

Actually my concern, instilled in me by my family’s instructor who is a strong proponent of safety, is more in the admittedly unlikely event that I should become unconscious and the rescuer needs me to be safely afloat face out of water while he attends to things. If conscious, the tendency to flop forward isn’t that bad and easily countered by shifting centre of gravity as you suggested.

7. Lean back and lay on top of the BC when inflating. Lay your head back. It will feel like sitting in a big easy chair in front of the television.

 

[FirasR]

Thanks for the tip!

Actually my concern, instilled in me by my family’s instructor who is a strong proponent of safety, is more in the admittedly unlikely event that I should become unconscious and the rescuer needs me to be safely afloat face out of water while he attends to things. If conscious, the tendency to flop forward isn’t that bad and easily countered by shifting center of gravity as you suggested.

I'm currently doing my Rescue Diver certification. When I did the unconscious diver skills practice, my buddy had a jacket BCD, I had a back-wing inflation BCD (Apeks Black Ice). We each had to pretend to be unconscious with our faces in the water, and the other one would have to go through the steps of towing while resuscitating the unconscious diver. The victim would keep their body completely limp and not assist the rescuer in any way to simulate a real life emergency. All we had to do is inflate the victim's BCD and roll the unconscious diver over on their back before starting the emergency breathing and towing. My buddy had no problem keeping me flat on my back with my back-wing BCD. Nowhere in the course does it even mention that one type of BCD is safer than another in the case of emergency scenarios.

Also keep in mind, that you are more likely to be in a face down position in case of loss of unconsciousness if it occurs under water, or in the case of a panicked diver that's scrambling to swim or claw their way out of the water then passes out. They'll most likely end up on their faces regardless of which BCD they have on. A jacket style BCD will not automatically turn you over on your back if you're even slightly tipped forward or tilted to the side. That's why the first thing any Rescue Diver is taught to do in this scenario, is turn the victim over on their back before commencing First Aid. So I wouldn't make that a deciding factor for choosing a BCD as long as you're always diving with a buddy (which you should be doing unless you're a solo diver which I know nothing about).

Hope that makes sense.

 

[BarelyBreathing]

Yes it does, and thanks for that perspective!

I'm currently doing my Rescue Diver certification. When I did the unconscious diver skills practice, my buddy had a jacket BCD, I had a back-wing inflation BCD (Apeks Black Ice). We each had to pretend to be unconscious with our faces in the water, and the other one would have to go through the steps of towing while resuscitating the unconscious diver. The victim would keep their body completely limp and not assist the rescuer in any way to simulate a real life emergency. All we had to do is inflate the victim's BCD and roll the unconscious diver over on their back before starting the emergency breathing and towing. My buddy had no problem keeping me flat on my back with my back-wing BCD. Nowhere in the course does it even mention that one type of BCD is safer than another in the case of emergency scenarios.

Also keep in mind, that you are more likely to be in a face down position in case of loss of unconsciousness if it occurs under water, or in the case of a panicked diver that's scrambling to swim or claw their way out of the water then passes out. They'll most likely end up on their faces regardless of which BCD they have on. A jacket style BCD will not automatically turn you over on your back if you're even slightly tipped forward or tilted to the side. That's why the first thing any Rescue Diver is taught to do in this scenario, is turn the victim over on their back before commencing First Aid. So I wouldn't make that a deciding factor for choosing a BCD as long as you're always diving with a buddy (which you should be doing unless you're a solo diver which I know nothing about).

Hope that makes sense.

 

[ZzzKing]

Keep in mind that there are no BCs that are certified USCG ife saving devices and even some USCG life jackets don’t turn an unconsciece wearer face up.

 

[BarelyBreathing]

Keep in mind that there are no BCs that are certified USCG ife saving devices and even some USCG life jackets don’t turn an unconsciece wearer face up.

Right... thanks for that

 

[dmaziuk]

Right... thanks for that

These guys don't say if theirs is life-saving certified or not: Navy Dive Horse Collar BCD

 

[ZzzKing]

I like all the colored jetfins on that page too.

 

[Zlatan]

My dive center was so friendly to allow me to try all bcd’s they had for sale in the swiming pool including the outlaw and rough. The outlaw and rough felt great right away and i had a feeling i had a backpack on and not a bcd. Plus the cost was very competitive compared to other wing type bcd’s. I got the rough over the outlaw because i liked the backplate more. Plus it came with the side pockets and weight pockets. It just felt a bit more upspeck for a smaller amount than if i got the outlaw and added the wight pockets and trim pockets. Bellow listed are some things i really liked and although the list of negstives is longer I was really nitpicking and find the bcd the best one I have ever tried. Plus if every negstive point was -1 point the plus points are so great that they could be considered +2 or +3.
The things i really like:
1. This is my firstwing wing-type bcd and I really like the trim. Absoluy no issues with floatingon surface. I think that since the weights are a bit back helps as well.
2. It feels very light and gives great freedom of movement. If it wasnt for the tank when i turn on my back that puls then downwards, I would think that i have nothing on and sometimes feels more like snorkling than diving.
3. Uses minimal space to store and cary and sice i end up carying a bag with 2 bcd’s, regulators, masks and fins (for my better half and me) it eases my job a lot.
4. Dries fairly quickly which is a plus when we go for a few hour trip and since I have to pack the wet gear back into the car ir is nice that id dries enough to put it in the trunck. I think the back plate on the outlaw dries a bit better as it is smaller.
5. The metal clip in the back is fantastic to quickly get the bcd over a cilinder and off.

The things I’m a bit concerned with:
1. The top dump valve is a bit flimzy and the plastic clip opened a few times on me. Luckely, I dont use this valve and if i had to use the top one i can always pull the inflator. Because of the trim in the water I end up using more the botom one.
2. Talking about the inflator, I always uncrew it once back from diving to clean the inside of the blader. Since i’m fairly short with a small neck I keep my cilinder lower so my regulator ends up close to the screw-in plastic cap so one of the hoses ends up rubing and unscrewing the cap under water resulting in my blader to loose air. It never filled with water though. This hapaned twice and my solution was to screw the cap tighter and to keep the cilinder a bit higher (resulting in me hitting the first stage with my head).
3. The second thing about the inflator hose is that the round ring part that is in the blader tends to strech the fabric over it when the inflator hangs onover it. Not sure how that will wear over years but this part looks like it could damage the blader first.I might be a bit to paranoid about that so don’t take comment to serious.
4. Although aqua lung advertises the item to be hard-wearing, i’m always under the impression that the blader could be punctured and try to pack it in such ways that nothing sharp touches it. The other element are the strap plastic clips. They add to the adjustability, but the outer plastic ring looks very thin. Every time i tighten them i tend to pull the plastic up and then pull to prevent adding to much force. The dive center that i often go with uses this bcd for all their instructors and their dive masters use it and love it as well, but one dive master also told me to be carefoul with those plastic clips. He didn’t confirm if he or his colegues had any issues with it but the fact that he mentioned it proved my paranoya that they might be a weekpont.
5. I know that the bcd is designed to be light and basic in extras but one item that i constantly struggle with is the guage hose, which i keep tucked unter the pocket and it keeps comming out and ends up scraping on the sea bed. If anyone know a beter way to store it please let me know.
6. Although the weight pockets are not easily detachable, the fact that they face down always makes me uncomfortable when i think of what would happen if they fell out. The first thing i did when i purchesed it was to try a bounch of times to take them out with weights to see if they could ever come out by chance or mistake. Once the bcd is on me it fels almost impossible to put them back in.
7. The top strap that goes over the cilinder and serves for carying the bcd seems a bit short and every time i unclip it, the female part of the clip disapears behind the bladder.

 

[JackD342]

So I finally bought the Rogue and did 9 dives with it in Redang Island, Malaysia. Here's a quick review that may hopefully benefit those considering it but like me couldn't find any reviews.

1. Firstly, it is NOT as lightweight as is represented on Aqualung marketing. Dry, without the Surelock weight pockets attached, the size M weighs in at just over 2.5kg, not the "under 2.2kg" as advertised. With the Surelock pockets installed (but without the lead obviously), it reaches a hefty 3.1kg! Compare this to the BC I came from, the Scubapro Go, which weighs in at 2.3kg without integrated weight system and 2.6kg with weight system.

2. The fit and comfort are very good. I did not have to get different straps etc. If anything, maybe I would have liked a slightly longer "backplate", the size L perhaps, to accommodate my slightly lanky frame (I'm 182cm, 75kg) and use the M shoulder and waist straps. But the dive store I bought it from does not offer a mix and match price scheme ie. I would have to pay extra for an additional L-sized backplate, on top of what I needed to pay for the full M-sized set. I'd be interested to hear if your dive store allows mix and match sizing of components for the normal full set price. I did not feel the need for a crotch strap at all.

3. The storage pockets are fantastic... just the right size, easy to access and the large velcro patches feel secure. However if you are worried about losing any of the items in your pockets, there is a small webbing loop inside each pocket to clip things off. The integrated octo holder is elegant and works well so I'm happy to ditch yet another loose accessory item. Very nice to be able to fold the pocket away for simple dives where I don't need to bring gloves or drift hooks or signal mirrors. If you use a wide SMB though, it might be a bit of a tight fit into these pockets.

4. Which brings me to SMB attachment. Currently I have a pre-prepped spool and smb clipped to the hip D-ring. This D-ring is small and difficult to locate by feel. Unlike the shoulder d-rings which are fine - large and pre-bent. For SMB retrieval they are a little fiddly but still ok and since you don't need to stow a used SMB until you're back on the boat, it isn't too much of a bother. But on my left hip ring where I clip off my backup SPG, it's a little bit annoying. By the way... Aqualung literature mentions an SMB pocket accessory as an optional item. Anyone seen what this is like? Can't find it anywhere online.

5. The tiny plastic connection to hook on the pull cord to the right shoulder dump valve on the aircell does not feel like it's going to survive very long. This is OK by me as I use mostly the inflator hose and kidney dump valve to vent air, so even if this gave way I don't think I'd miss it. You may feel different should the tether break one day.

6. If you dive in warm water and don't use much weight, the Rogue's aircell is a bit overkill. I would be keen to purchase a smaller, lighter aircell for the Rogue if Aqualung were to make one. I'm tempted to consider purchasing the smaller Outlaw aircell if it would fit the Rogue. I know there's no right shoulder dump for the Outlaw, but I wouldn't need one anyway (see 5.)

7. Trim underwater is very good as to be expected for back inflation. On the surface though, even without overinflating, I did feel that it tended to tip me face-forward. I would be interested to get tips from anyone on how to better curtail this as this is my first back inflation BC. I currently use only one piece of 2lb weight on either side of my kidneys for a total of 4lbs to be ideally weighted.

Hope this helps and will be happy to answer any other questions if I can. Cheers!

I will try to add a few points, without excessive duplication

1. The waist pieces are the only interchangeable parts between Outlaw and Rogue. Bladders are not.
2. A difference many will not notice at first is the lack of a right shoulder dump on the Outlaw. You can still dump from the left an a headfirst ascent, but the current “low profile” generation of Aqualung inflators are NOT overpressure relief. On the Outlaw, only the lower right valve will open if over inflated. Nothing higher up.
3. Yes, be sure you are flexible enough to use this weight system where it is located. And it is unlikely you will be able to comfortably or easily reinstall loaded pockets once you are in the BCD.
4. Yes, you can add trim pockets to the Outlaw tank band, but the position of the Rogue trim pockets is away from your center of gravity, allowing better trim adjustment.
5. I haven’t yet found a website link, but I am assured the SMB with molle pouch is now available, at least in the US. I need to remember to add one to my next order.