Stupid Question about fitting

[AggieDad]

I have a Ranger size XL. My dealer put it on me and said it fit. I have 60 dives on it and as I stated in a previous thread, have constant roll problems and it always rides up. I keep my hands on the bottom d rings and pull down. Now a new guy at my dive shop took one look and told me all the problems I was having without diving with me and said that I needed a large. My question is I am 6'1" weight 255 lbs, large shoulders etc. and I wear size 40 waist for now. I just started an exercise program so that is getting a little loose.
From exactly what point on the shoulder do I measure down to what point on the waist?
Can I change out the shoulders straps or other parts as needed or would I be better off buying a new model that really fits?

I am seriously considering flying to Florida to have you guys get me set up properly. I love Zeagle but I am frustrated with my lack of comfort and relaxation (I realize that a lot of this is my diving technique).

 

[Doc Intrepid]

Within reason you're likely to have some "riding-up" with most BCs. When inflated, they tend to ride up - if you're wearing a weight belt, you tend to slide down inside them. The issue is to what degree this happens. Crotch straps can help, but its a common issue.

You're going to get lots of different responses to your question, and the answer to your question is going to vary from diver to diver because "comfort" is subjective. Different divers have different ideas of what they consider comfortable.

You have a couple options. One is to go back to your dealer and get a rental Large and try it for a couple dives. If you like the Large, then you are looking at selling what you have and replacing it. As you have 60 dives on yours you obviously can't take it back - but you can either E-bay it and buy a Large or else discuss your discomfort with the dealer and see if he will sell it through his shop on a consignment basis and help you get into a Large BC. (This (should be) one of the benefits of setting up a mutually productive relationship with a local dive shop. Your comfort should be one of his priorities, to keep you coming back to his shop.)

But if you don't like the Large, or it gives you the same sort of riding up, etc., then you may want to look at some other options.

There may be some other SB people close to you in Round Rock, TX - it never hurts to inquire. They may be willing to get with you to allow you to try out other options.

In all cases, good luck with the weight loss program, that won't hurt, and remember that the BCs often ride up because divers frequently put too much gas in them while diving - so they're bouyant relative to the diver. Divers put too much gas in their BCs because they are often over-weighted, so they need the gas in the BC to compensate - to achieve equilibrium. If you reduce the weight on the diver, you reduce the need for gas in the BC to compensate.

Dropping weight, or ensuring that you are perfectly weighted, may reduce the amount of gas you need to put into the BC, and thus may reduce it's tendency to ride up. So, checking your weighting may be the best thing you can do immediately that may bring some quick relief without the clustery of having to sell your current BC and buy another one.

Regards,

Doc

 

[DiveMaven]

How far is Round Rock from Dallas?? If you could get to ScubaToys, they could definitely help fit you exactly right, and I'm sure it would be closer than going to Florida.

 

[redacted]

According to the zeagle website your 40 inch waist puts you in a large. XL is 42+. I'm not sure what changes to go from the XL to the L, but the bladder is the same. Maybe you could just tighten up on that waist strap a bit more to limit its riding up. BTW, that bladder also fits on a BP which would just about eliminate sizing problems.

 

[AggieDad]

Thanks for the replies. I normally dive freshwater with HP100 steel tanks and no more than 4 lbs and am slightly negative. I think I will try a large rental first and yes I will probably do a trip to Scuba Toys. My car knows the way. Like I said, I am sure that most of the problem is my technique with buoyancy, method of strapping on the BC etc. I changed a lot of this on my last Cozumel trip but my DM kept sneaking up on me and adding weight.

 

[DiveMaven]

Nice thing about ScubaToys is that they have a pool and you can work on some of your in-water issues right there!

 

[AggieDad]

Nice thing about ScubaToys is that they have a pool and you can work on some of your in-water issues right there!

Me thinks you like Scuba Toys

 

[herman]

The Ranger has a really wide range of adjustments. First, is the waist fully adjusted in? There are a series of holes in the BC that allow adjustment, you just have to unscrew the sexbolts (plastic double ended screw looking things) and move the waist section to it's shortest size. If that is not enough, you can order the large section. It's simple to swap to waist pannel for a smaller one. I would also suggest a crotch strap. They will eliminate the riding up of the BC .

 

[ScottZeagle]

From exactly what point on the shoulder do I measure down to what point on the waist?

Th get the "shoulder to waist measurement, have someone run a tape measure from the base of your neck (7th vertebrae) down the center of your back to your belt.

With a 40" waist, you are right on the border of an XL, so depending on the suit you wear, you could be ok - however, as I have told numerous people via PMs over the last few years, trying to size someone correctly over the internet is extrememly difficult!!!

Scott

 

[AggieDad]

Th get the "shoulder to waist measurement, have someone run a tape measure from the base of your neck (7th vertebrae) down the center of your back to your belt.

With a 40" waist, you are right on the border of an XL, so depending on the suit you wear, you could be ok - however, as I have told numerous people via PMs over the last few years, trying to size someone correctly over the internet is extrememly difficult!!!

Scott

Thanks Scott
I was at the shop where I bought it and asked "How do you measure" and was told to go from under the armpit to the top of my hip bone. Hopefully I can keep up my exercise regimen and have to buy a smaller model anyway. Like I have said before, I think a lot of my problems are self induced but through trying different things it is much better. Still Zeagle's number 1 fan.