Scuba for the BIG Guys

[biggeek]

Hello all! I am new to scuba and to this site. My family and I have just had our 1st scuba class last night and really enjoyed it. I had one problem. I am 6' 4" tall and about 350 pounds with a 60" chest. My BCD did not fit very well at all. The instructor doesn't have anything larger so my question is do they make them for BIG guys? If so where can I find one and which ones are better than others? Thank you for your thoughts and time.

 

[DivingPrincessE]

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/gear-equipment-classifieds/242873-large-bcd-advice.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bu.../235589-bcd-large-divers.html?highlight=large

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bu...ems/221551-bcd-large-guy.html?highlight=large

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/diving-related/57162-bc-large-women.html

I agree with the "get a back plate and wing" (BP/W) contingency

 

[knotical]

and:
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/new-divers-those-considering-diving/277373-overweight-diver.html

 

[GrandpaScuba]

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/gear-equipment-classifieds/242873-large-bcd-advice.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bu.../235589-bcd-large-divers.html?highlight=large

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bu...ems/221551-bcd-large-guy.html?highlight=large

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/diving-related/57162-bc-large-women.html

I agree with the "get a back plate and wing" (BP/W) contingency

Summary:
1. Backplate and Wing style are individually assembled by the diver and can have straps any length you want.
2. Zeagle will make custom sizes up to very large (up to 4XL, at least). Since they size the shoulders and waist separately, you can get it "big" where you need it and "smaller" where you need it.
3. Seasoft makes stock sizes that they claim go up to 475lbs.

 

[biggeek]

Thanks for all the help. I will check them out.

 

[dewayne405]

Like you when I started diving I was a bigger guy... I weighed 305, at 5'10" with a 58" chest... And to those who like harping on body fat... BITE me... my total body fat was 22%.... I had been a power lifter since high school, and bulked up...

Best advice I ever got was to do lots and lots of cardio... Its will help with your SAC, and help you loose weight too... I have since dropped below the 270 mark, and dropping still...

I started out in a SP Knighthawk 2XL... They are easy to expand and mine would have definitely accommodated 40-50 more pounds... Now it is taken up to its smallest point and if I get any smaller, it won't fit me... Oh well, just means I get to buy a new setup!!! I like it for cold water diving here locally anyway... Fits great over a semi-dry 8mm...

Like others have said you can go Zeagle... PM me and I'll give you a great place to go look for big guy stuff...

 

[DivingPrincessE]

I started out in a SP Knighthawk 2XL... They are easy to expand and mine would have definitely accommodated 40-50 more pounds... Now it is taken up to its smallest point and if I get any smaller, it won't fit me... Oh well, just means I get to buy a new setup!!!

This is exactly why a BP/W would be best in situations such at the OP's. It will fit you no matter how much weight you lose, just keep readjusting it. If you readjust for weight loss, and cut the webbing, then gain weight again, all you have to do is buy new webbing (relatively cheap) instead of whole new set up.

 

[shoredivr]

If you readjust for weight loss, and cut the webbing, then gain weight again, all you have to do is buy new webbing (relatively cheap) instead of whole new set up.

Exactly.

 

[PvtStash]

at 403 lbs (jus' under 6' 3") I started trying to lose weight for scuba (and to avoid dying at a young age)...

about a year ago I started taking my OW Basic , I was about 330 lbs. I think we used the Latitude XLT jacket-style bcds in class and , while servicable, were distractingly uncomfortable.

Upon research (mainly pouring through posts here) I ended up with something my LDS happened to sell , the Apeks WTX ... I was about 320 when I got it , loved it immediately... wasnt constricted, tank felt Fixed on my back...

currently I'm 248lbs... I've gotten in 4 dives so far this year an I'm still lovin' my Apeks... I really cant forsee why I'd possibly want/need anything else in the future... (ok maybe another larger wing at some point, but its Still the same bc, expandable features don' count)

 

[shoredivr]

Impressive, PvtStash, that's a lot of weight you lost. Longer life, more diving!