Using Old BCD?

[Tom Winters]

For rethreading a bc, nylon or polypropylene are pretty much interchangeable. The stretching thing is minimal also - it's not like bungee cord so you don't have to worry about jumping off the boat, getting down to 50', and then having your tank come spronging down after you.

 

[Marek K]

For rethreading a bc, nylon or polypropylene are pretty much interchangeable. The stretching thing is minimal also - it's not like bungee cord so you don't have to worry about jumping off the boat, getting down to 50', and then having your tank come spronging down after you.

That's good to know. I think I'll use the polypro, then, because I think it'll be more flexible and comfortable. Besides, only the polypro was available in the matching blue color.

"Spronging"?

--Marek

 

[Walter]

You mean the zip-out separate bladder as being a problem? Why? Seems like that would be an advantage, other than additional weight...

It's not as streamlined and creates more drag.

 

[Tom Winters]

Those bc's don't have all that much lift anyway for an inner bladder to create extra drag. You're looking at maybe 18-20 pounds of buoyancy on a large jacket.

 

[Walter]

Lift doesn't create drag.

 

[Marek K]

It's not as streamlined and creates more drag.

Trust me... with our style and speed of diving, drag isn't much of an issue.

OK OK, to compensate, there are no significant pockets, d-rings, adjustment buckles, or other bells and whistles to cause extra drag.

Those bc's don't have all that much lift anyway for an inner bladder to create extra drag. You're looking at maybe 18-20 pounds of buoyancy on a large jacket.

Actually, the label inside this jacket says it's got approximately 38 lb of buoyancy, fully inflated, fresh water, sea level. And it's only a Medium.

--Marek

 

[Walter]

Trust me... with our style and speed of diving, drag isn't much of an issue.

Trust me, when in currents, it is an issue.

 

[Marek K]

Trust me, when in currents, it is an issue.

When in significant currents, I don't doubt it. But we're weenie rec divers... at the most, gentle drift dives.

--Marek

 

[Walter]

Do you just not dive if there's any current? If you'll dive with streamlined gear, you'll be able to dive comfortably in stronger currents.

 

[Marek K]

Do you just not dive if there's any current? If you'll dive with streamlined gear, you'll be able to dive comfortably in stronger currents.

No, we (after my wife starts diving again this year) just don't go on dives that have significant current. Or if there is a gentle current, it's because it's a drift dive -- but not where the current is strong enough to be a problem if we have to swim against it for any reason.

Look, we're bathtub divers. One kid just got his OWD last year, and another will hopefully be doing her OWD this year. And a wife who gets so sea-sick that that's all she associates with scuba diving from 14 years ago. I'm thrilled that she's willing to even put on equipment and do shore diving this summer at the Red Sea. Hell, she's even agreed to try a 15-minute-out one-tank boat dive! If the water is glass-smooth...

And me? Hey, I'm just glad to be underwater again after a 13-year break before last summer, and be able to share that with my family. Not as adventurous as I used to be -- age certainly has something to do with it. I used to mountain climb when I was a teenager... and jumped out of airplanes while in flight, when in the Army. Things I'm glad I did, but sure wouldn't want to do again!!

Hmmm... Come to think of it, I don't ski the same sort of terrain I used to, either... :06:

--Marek