scubajoh44:
I'm going to be working for the shop as a DM and have to "set an example." SeaQuest is my only option. (I just found out). I guess I will buy on of theirs and one for "ME" on the side. I'm 5'4" and 165 lbs. I'm very curvy and busty.
I'm a DM at a local shop where they want DMs and Instructors to "set an example" too. Translated of course, this means you will be a walking billboard for equipment the dive shop sells. Just another marketing gimmick!! Luckily, our shop has a wide line of products and it's hard to beat the prices since we're on a military base so everyone buys most of their gear here anyways. But I have no problem shopping elsewhere if they don't carry or can't special order want I want. Power of the consumer!
As for women's BCDs, well I'm an advocate for a women's line in everything! :luxhello: Our bodies are just different from men's and not just for the obvious physical differences. Our balance and center of gravity is different too. While, that isn't quite as important in scuba gear, I find it makes a significant difference in other equipment like hiking, kayaking, and skiing. When I'm in the market for new gear, I check out products designed for females first. The difference is astounding!! I personally recommend female designed wetsuits, drysuits, and BCDs for new women divers due to the increased comfort and fit, especially if you're curvy. But I would never push just one style, there are too many options. Ultimately it comes down to your body, what you dive in, and how you dive.
For example, over the last 9 years, I've owned 5 BCDs. I always upgraded for increased fit, comfort, and performance. My first BCD was an Oceanic (unisex). Being a new diver and not knowing any better I bought what the shop recommended. While it was a decent entry level BCD, it did not fit me properly. Literally, my dive buddy could put their entire arm through the space between the top of my shoulders and the BCD; underwater I swam inside the thing. After that, I upgraded to a female designed BCD. While more comfortable, it wasn't designed for the frequent use and more challenging conditions of cold water diving. I then bought a Mares for women. I loved that BCD while diving dry. But then learned a valuable lesson on lift capacity, after being lost in the Sea of Cortez for an hour. Right after that trip I got an Aeris for women, with the wings offering plenty of lift if needed. Again, while the BCD was great for one style of diving, drysuit, it was too big when I traveled and dove in a skin or shortie. I now have the Diva LX, which I love. I almost forget I even have a BCD on underwater, it's that comfortable. It's strong enough to carry a 100 HP steel and integrated weights. It is also has more adjustable features for a better fit when I travel to the tropics. My only complaint is that the bra feature does not fit as well over a shell drysuit as a neoprene drysuit. But since entering the dive master program, I wear the neoprene drysuit all the time now. So its not a problem.
