What's the difference between a BCD and a BP?

[brucet]

I have a Seaquest Balance, and a Dive Rite Transpac. I prefer the back inflate, and the Transpac is a very simplified setup. I personally dive alot bare, and found the traditional bp/w setup uncomfrotable on my back, so thus why I went with the Transpac. You may want to see if there are any shops in your area where you can rent a bp/w or someone who may let you try one of theirs out. Best way to decide is try them out.

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

With regards to terminology, Buoyancy Compensator is also proper, so BC is just as good as BCD when describing Vest (all my jackets have arms?), Back Inflate (BI) and Back Plate / Wing (BP/W).

In general there are very few recreational BP/W users in warm water. Will you dive locally?

 

[Troutmaster]

Let me start by saying I am not a "drink the Kool-aid" backplate guy.

I have dove jacket BC, back inflation BC and backplate and wing. In my opinion based on the OP's statement of liking things streamlined and tight, I would recommend a BP/W and hog style harness (one peice of webbing), he can pick who much lift he wants and adjust it for his diving style and needs.

If he doesn't like that, my Knighthawk BC is also fabulous, very "clean" design. I would have skipped it an gone to a plate if I had it do over, but I have kept it and will use it for warm water single tank, fall off the boat to float arround tropical diving.

I will say, if you can dive several different rigs that will help, but if you really like things trim and neat, you can't beat a plate and wing setup.

 

[fnfalman]

Cool people use BPs. Everybody else use BCDs.

 

[Ron G.]

I suppose I get the appeal of the BP/W for some, but I don't think it would suit me.

I use a Zeagle Brigade (modified Ranger) which is a rear-inflate.

I'm just a vacation diver, not at all technical.

I like having pockets to shove my lights into, along with other stuff. I like having integrated weights.

I know BP/W folks will have alternative options to pockets and integrated weights, but my Zeagle already has 'em. I don't need to buy a lean & mean BP/W, then start adding stuff to it so that it can do what my current BCD already does.

Ron

 

[SangP]

A bcd is nothing more than a harness/jacket attached to some kind of air bladder with inflation/deflation valves.
They come in in different configurations like:

1. Jacket, a vest with an air bladder sewed into it like a Scubapro classic.
2. A back inflate consists of some sort of hard or soft back plate, harness or jacket with an air bladder wing at the back like Seaquest balance, zeagle scout, express tech, dive rite transpac.
3. BP/W is nothing more than a metal plate, harness and an air bladder wing at the back, halcyon, dive-rite transplate, DSS n many others.

Generally a BP is better when using doubles as it can handle the weight of the doubles tanks/stage bottles with great stability. Very streamline, durable and suitable for many types of diving from tech to rec.

Flexible alternatives are back inflate soft pack like the dive-rite transpac which also allows the usage of doubles and singles & sidemount or the Zeagle express tech which allows for singles and sidemount.

SangP

 

[Bonairetrip]

Also, generally I despise large bulky items. I'd much rather have something tight fitting (I'm used to leather motorcycle race suits) than baggy or bulky. So if any one is generally smaller and better form-fitting, I might lean towards that...

Given that description, I would consider a BP/W. It can be very trim, minimalist and fitted exactly to you (I would start with basic hog harness).

If you look at Deep Sea Supply (DSS), they have sized plates and lots of wings from big to small. I find mine (DSS with T17#) fits me better than any BC ever has. And Tobin is a wealth of info...and can help you through the myriad of options. (There are other solid options like Oxycheq, Halcyon, Hog, and many more)

If pockets are a big deal to you, there are a few options. You can glue pockets onto exposure suits or use something like X-Shorts. There are small pockets you can add to your waist belt.

 

[Stu S.]

A BCD is a gas bag attached to a diver. The purpose is to help divers control their depth. A BCD may or may not serve as an attachment for a tank. Early BCD's included a belt-type, an over shoulder model and the "horescollar" that went around the neck. Those early ones did not attach to the tank, allowing a diver to ditch the tank and backpack while floating.

Before I was a BC owner, I had a "safety vest". It was to help a diver on the surface and could be inflated with a CO2 cartridge. It was not a BC as it was typically not inflated underwater.