What do you or your lady friends use as BCD and regulators please?

[trapmonkey]

I have convinced my lass to buy her own gear. I have been diving for many years, but am very out of date in the equipment race. What is good for a 100 pound petite lass advanced diver who has about 30-50 dives?

She says she wants a back flotation bc. I would love for her to go BP/W same set up as what i dive...Hollis or fathom one travel wing and aluminium back plate, apeks TX 50s sealed and balanced diaphram 1st stage, with a yoke. BUT... she is adamant that she wants a travel light back flotation thingy.

what do you ladies dive please? I want to do some sourcing for packages for her.
many thanks, TM

[Dirty-Dog]

My wife uses a ScubaPro LadyHawk, but if she wants it lighter, try the LiteHawk. Very minimalist, and about as close as you can get to a BP/W without actually getting a BP/W.
We both dive with MK11/G250V regs.

[DivemasterDennis]

My wife and dive buddy, who has ten years and hundreds of dives in her wake, swears by the sea quest Diva BCD, which is one of several specifically designed for women. It is not a bak inflate but rather a jacket style. I do not think your lass would care for a back inflate. I will not go into why. I just know. Given her petite size, the Diva might weigh a pound more at most than the lightest option. My wife got hers years ago, but I believe there is a similar model available even if by a different name. The Diva also will last forever if properly maintained and it's easy to get parts and service After trying many different styles of regulator, she chose to use the Sherwood Oasis. I have one among my many sets of gear and like it too. I hope this input helps, whatever the fina purchase may be.
DivemasterDennis scubasnobs.com

[mathauck0814]

Wife uses DSS plate and singles wing for recreational and DSS plate with integrated weights and hog 58 doubles wing for tech

[rivers]

I'm just slightly bigger than your wife, but I use a dive rite ali backplate and a hog 32lb wing with a one piece harness and hog regs. I love the set-up.

[awap]

I tried to move my wife from her original jacket which she was ready to replace to a BP/W but she said no. She settled on a DR Transpac with travel wing and was quite happy with it initially. The we packed our gear, her Transpac and my UL plate and 18 lb wing. She picked the 2 up and saw the light. She will eventually make the switch.

She also tried and rejected a 5' hose on her primary. Didn't like the wrap around the back of the neck. She is happy with the 40" hose and a right angle fitting on her primary.

[TSandM]

I found it hard to find a standard BC that fit, and I'm about your wife's size. You can tell her from me that she will be much happier with a backplate and continuous harness, where she can adjust it so it works perfectly. For tropical travel, I use a DSS Kydex backplate, and when I dove wet, I used the 17 pound travel wing, which is as small, and packs as light as anything you can use to dive, I think.

[James R]

My gf has a Halcyon Infinity in pink (30lb lift wing) & Scubapro MK11/S555

[fdog]

For tropical diving my wife wears a 3 mil suit. She's about 5'4" and 130 lbs.

Deep Sea Supply Kydex plate size small (https://www.deepseasupply.com/index.php?product=4)w/ hogarthian harness
Deep Sea Supply 17 lb. Torus wing (https://www.deepseasupply.com/index.php?product=116)
Atomic B2 yoke w/ 6' hose (dedicated tropical reg, she uses a DIN / 7' in a drysuit))

Until Aqualung came out with their new traveling BC (the Zuma (http://www.aqualung.com/us/content/view/430/)), which weighs the same, her rig was lighter than anything else we could find, and durable as heck.

I'd submit that weight reduction is great - up to a point - eventually you reach diminishing returns, where yes, it's nice and light, but the fit/features/durability are compromised. That is one reason she uses the DSS Kydex plate, there are no compromises and it's still very, very light.

All the best, James

[Beowulf]

My gf really likes her Micron regs. Small and light.

Sent from my SGH-T959V using Tapatalk

[trapmonkey]

thanks all... I think the lite hawk is the way to go... I may spring for some nice regulators after all they last for ever if maintained... maybe scubapro Mk 25/s555 or Mk 25 s600.

cheers, guy

to all those that dive the black on back... until they see the light we can't help them. :)

[kathydee]

I love my backplate and wing for diving and travel. It's important to purchase a small backplate for the petite female. I would shy away from Stainless Steel in the tropics as for some that = overweighting. Halcyon & I believe Oxycheq have size small Aluminum plates.

DSS has several small travel wings, one is 20lbs, the other 17lbs. The Halcyon Eclipse 30lb wing offers excellent quality, stability & ease of dumping gas. All of these are easy to pack, great to dive.

[ADimitris]

I am not quite as small as your wife but always have trouble finding gear small enough. I am 5'4" and range between 116 and 123 pounds. I have a Zeagle Zena for recreational diving--very simple. no pockets or extra mess, and it is a VEST with zipper rather than a cumberbund with buckles. It is designed for a woman's body--small waist, wider at top. I also have an AquaLung Pearl, but I am NOT impressed with the quality. It is designed for a woman's body too--it is made to fit like a sports bra--flaps cross the chest instead of buckles cutting across it. Aqualung also makes a travel BCD that is light--something like the "Lotus."

If youa re talking about tech diving, I was just given a TINY Halcyon aluminum backplate as a gift. It is extra short since the standard back plate will cut into the lower back/ hip bones of a shorter or narrower person.

Just make sure your wife TRIES on the gear before buying it and MAJORLY IMPORTANT--have her try it on with TANKS attached b/c my biggest problem is that the tanks hit me in the head, especially if I use a BCD with two straps (ie the Zena). If the set up bothers her, she will not dive with it--so buy with care! (Or sell me what she doesn't use cheap!!!) ; )

Let me know if you want more detailed info.

Ariane

[ADimitris]

PS Let me know if you might be interested in an OSS Trilam dry suit for her b/c it JUST fits me and it would be better for someone a little shorter than me. The neck seal was just redone by Stve Gamble before I ever got to use it--I have NEVER used it but I bought it as a demo model so it is not brand new.

[pjhansman]

My wife is 5'4" and 120 lbs. Loves her Ladyhawk.

[Laurie S.]

I use a Zeagle Zena and am very happy with it. My regulator also is a Zeagle.

[chs8084]

I loved my Hera bcd but just replaced it with a bp/w which I like even better.

[leoconnor]

I have a Oceanic Hera bcd which I love but it is heavy. Interesting ideas for a replacement here!

[divermike1011]

Wife is using a BP/W setup with a steel BP. We'll be moving to DSS kydex plate for her in a couple of months, she'd rather have the weight on her hips then her back. She uses my old Oceanic regs and hasn't had any issues.

Michael

[tflaris]

My wife uses a steel Back plate and 1 piece harness. Zeagle weight pockets attach to the back plate. Dive Rite wing.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Divedoggie]

My wife is around 5'4' 110, and uses a Zeagle Zena for everything from travel/tropical to cold water/drysuit. She swears by it. I tried to convince her of the pleasures of a backplate/wing, but her buoyancy and trim, stability and comfort are absolutely perfect with her Zena. She loves her Mercedes and doesn't want to trade for a BMW.:D

[RockRover]

Another Zena user here (well the wife does!). LOVES the fit, and rear-inflation. Super streamlined.

[Jax]

I found it hard to find a standard BC that fit, and I'm about your wife's size. You can tell her from me that she will be much happier with a backplate and continuous harness, where she can adjust it so it works perfectly. For tropical travel, I use a DSS Kydex backplate, and when I dove wet, I used the 17 pound travel wing, which is as small, and packs as light as anything you can use to dive, I think.

+1 on DSS Kydex Plate and wing

However, I learned in the Tusa Selene jacket BC -- My STEEL BP/W weighs 2 ounces less than the Selene.

She should re-think her adamency. Also, make sure she looks at XS Scuba Highland scuba shorts ---

[soltari675]

I personally use the Ladyhawke. It doesn't have a lot of stuff in the way. Only one pocket. It's back inflate and it fits me great. I use the scubapro M17/A700 reg set because I know it will work great both in cold and warm water. If you plan to only dive in warm water, there are really good, cheaper choices out there.

[spectrum]

My wife loves her DSS singles rig.

She's content with her Sherwood Blizzard.

[RTee]

Mty GF went from a traditional BC to a Zeagle Express Tech with a 35 lb bladder that she uses for both local (cold water) diving and travel (warm water) and she is very happy with it.

[kpetro]

I love the AquaLung i3 Pearl, it doesn't compress any girly bits and is super comfortable. I would think she could get an XS, as I wear a small at 5'4 140 lb and it's a little big for me. Very light too, as long as I remember to take the weight pockets out ;)

I also have a Mares Rover reg set-up, no knobs to mess with, very easy breathing.

[Felipe Telles]

My fiancee uses a halcyon aluminum backplate with a hollis wing. We own the same regulator, a Mares Abyss. It's a metal reg, and tough she was problems with her jaw getting sore because of sleping issues, the regulator was never a problem, the only thing we adjusted was the mouthpiece which we exchanged for a more comfortable one.

[Blue Sparkle]

I feel a little wrong answering, because you did say your wife is not interested in a backplate. OTOH, I had a lot of fit issues with the many BC's I tried on, and then found that a backplate fit me really well. I'm taller than your wife, at 5'5" but I'm really short waisted, so I'm probably more like a 5-footer when it comes to BC's. Even with women's S/XS BC's I was having the problem that with the cummerbund fastened, the shoulders were up around my ears.

If your wife can find a BC that fits (and it sounds like there may be more female-specific ones now to choose from) then it sounds like that is what she wants. However, if she can't find one with a fit she likes, then it might be nice to know there is another option.

The DSS size Small backplate is the shortest production backplate I found, and it fits me well (in fact, if it were any shorter it would be too short). I found that I love the whole setup (after frustrating dives in BC's that did not fit).

Again, sorry to horn in with talk of backplates when you specifically said your wife was not interested. But, as I mentioned, I just wanted to tell you my experience in case she cannot find a "regular" type BC to fit. If she can find a "regular" BC to fit, I see that is what she would prefer.

Blue Sparkle

PS: Forgot about the regulators part: I use a Zeagle Flathead VI, although I don't feel that there is anything female-specific about it. I did have one shop show me an Aqualung Mikron back when I was getting (re)certified, and if she likes small/tidy/cute then it might appeal to her. It is a physically smaller regulator (second stage anyway) and comes in a couple of colors (pink being one of them). I did some reading on them and I saw that most people seemed very happy with them although some mentioned more bubbles across their field of vision - presumably because the smaller second stage has a narrower exhaust tee. I never tried one; only looked at it in the display case.

I did find that the mouthpiece on the Zeagle felt way too large for me. I had gotten used to the Comfo-Bite mouthpiece on snorkels and so I bought them separately and put them on my Zeagle regs (I believe Aqualung regs come with them already).

[Ulfhedinn]

Zeagle Zena BC

XS Scuba Seaair Tri-Metal Reg

[MMM]

For the past 15 years or so, I have worn a Seaquest Diva, but for giggles I just bought a Halcyon Infinity with SS backplate; have yet to try it. I use an Oceanic Delta 4 reg. I like the way it flexes/swivels by the second stage; I put a small comfo-bite mouthpiece onto it as I find all commercial mouthpieces too big.

[Blue Sparkle]

I put a small comfo-bite mouthpiece onto it as I find all commercial mouthpieces too big.

Could I ask where you found a small Comfo-Bite? I have only been able to find the "regular" size Comfo-Bite (like the one at Dive Gear Express which I linked to below)

I have seen small Comfo-Bites in the clear (floppier) silicone type rubber (which I think is for snorkels and would not support a Scuba regulator ?), but not in the black rubber.

The regular size fits me okay (much better than the "standard" mouthpieces that they replaced), but I wouldn't mind buying a small to see if it would be better.

Link to regular sized black Comfo-Bite at DGE (have to scroll down about halfway):
Regulator Mouthpieces - Dive Gear Express (http://www.divegearexpress.com/regulators/mouthpieces.shtml)

Photo:
102613

Thanks,
Blue Sparkle

PS: I would have PM'ed this question to the previous poster but I figured it might be of interest to the OP.

[Jorgy]

My darling bride uses an extra small Genesis Athena with SP MK25/550 - the secret is switching to a small mouth piece and using a miflex hose (hers is blue).....

I guess they don't make it anymore but it looks very similar to this......

Welcome to Genesis Scuba! (http://www.genesisscuba.com/product.php?product_id=75)

[RTee]

...as for Reg, she uses Mares Abyss 22. Based on what I have seen with her and many folks using that set-up here, it is good for shallow and deep rec diving in both cold and warm water. It is an unseal set-up and many folks use it for ice diving without problem. Good performance and low maintenance.

[Danielle's_Dives]

I have a scubapro bella. Love it!

[arimann]

Be happy to have a lass like buddy...My mate don't go in water, he swim but she have fear of the water(for good rerason). Happily she love sea, so i can dive.

[pediatron]

I am going through these same issues myself. I am a bit shorter at only 5' 2" and about 120 lb. I have dove with a Diva for the last 10 years and have been very happy with it. The only problem is that it is heavy compared with other BC's for travel -- which is the only way we dive. After trying on most of the BCs made for women, I am considering the Seaquest Libra, but am unsure if I really want to switch from a jacket style to a back inflate. I actually like the cumberbund and the ability to adjust it to a comfortable feel and the jacket feels very secure. I have felt a bit squeezed by the jacket inflate though, but only a couple of times in 10 years.

[Cherry]

I love the AquaLung i3 Pearl, it doesn't compress any girly bits and is super comfortable. I would think she could get an XS, as I wear a small at 5'4 140 lb and it's a little big for me. Very light too, as long as I remember to take the weight pockets out ;)

I also have a Mares Rover reg set-up, no knobs to mess with, very easy breathing.

My wife uses the same BC and simply loves it. We both use Apex ATX 100 regs.

[Ulsterkiwi]

Hi, my partner is and Advanced Open Water diver with about 60 dives since January this year. She looked at LOADs of BCDs and went for an Aqualung Diva, she reckons its a great shape for her and it will be her only BCD (hah!!! she has the gear bug and is ALWAYS looking for new stuff!)
She has an Aqualung Mikron reg, she loves the neatness of the 2nd stage and the braided hoses it came with. The mouthpiece is good for her, much better than a standard sized one. She does get a bit upset when gear manufacturers do something in pink and call it ladies gear!

[jupitermermaid]

I've had my Ladyhawk for almost 6 years now, and love it! After passing over 1200 dives with it, the pockets showed some wear and tear. and the neck binding was ripping. I thought I would have to buy a new BCD beacuse of the wear and tear. Turns out, my LDS sent it back to Scubapro, they sewed it up and sent it back! Should last for another 1200 or so! Color me happy.

[SeaCure]

Most sports make accommodations for the different body structures of females. But this thread is going because most dive equipment is designed for men. Most women have smaller jaws and smaller jaw muscles than men. This becomes a big problem when those smaller muscles fatigue in trying to hold a soft one size fits all mouthpiece in the mouth against the pull of the regulator and hoses. A SeaCure mouthpiece is very different. It molds to fit any sized mouth and can be trimmed to fit even the tiniest mouth. Because it is rigid the amount of leverage required to hold it in is reduced by 80%. This is especially important for women who by nature do not have large jaw muscles. And, many women are enjoying the new colors that SeaCure has available.

[Melinapie]

I have 2 different setups for cold and warm water.
Warm water I wear a proteus wet suit by fourth element, my BC is a Zuma by Aqua Lung, reg is a Atomic B2, fins, Aqua Lung travel fins. Cold water gear: Waterproof D1 hybrid Drysuit (keeps me warm), Fourth Element Arctic undergarment and socks, Scuba Pro Bella BC, Atomic B2 reg, Apollo bio fins. Love all of it.

[Melinapie]

Try out the Aqua Lung Zuma its an awesome travel bc and very adjustable

[lsorensen]

I am going through these same issues myself. I am a bit shorter at only 5' 2" and about 120 lb. I have dove with a Diva for the last 10 years and have been very happy with it. The only problem is that it is heavy compared with other BC's for travel -- which is the only way we dive. After trying on most of the BCs made for women, I am considering the Seaquest Libra, but am unsure if I really want to switch from a jacket style to a back inflate. I actually like the cumberbund and the ability to adjust it to a comfortable feel and the jacket feels very secure. I have felt a bit squeezed by the jacket inflate though, but only a couple of times in 10 years.

The squeeze issue is why my wife got a back inflate BCD. She is quite small and there just isn't much room to inflate a normal jacket style BCD on a small person.

It still has the cummerbund and all the straps any other BCD would have, it just doesn't inflate around the torso, but on the back instead.

[Martina2211]

I'm using Mares Hybrid BCD and Mares Proton 42 Metal regulator out of their She Dives serie. I absolutely love both pieces and wouldn't change them for anything else. In addition Mares ships the regulator with a special mouthpiece that you can completely adjust to your theeth and jaws, so diving with it is amazing as you don't feel any preasure in your mouth. Both items are light weight and great for traveling.

Mares Hybrid She Dives BCD | Ladies BCDs | Simply Scuba UK (http://www.simplyscuba.com/products/Mares/HybridSheDivesBCD.aspx)

[LyndaD2]

After I got my OW certification in Nov 07, I went to my local dive shop to buy some gear so I'd have stuff that fit and not be at the mercy of what was available in rental gear on my dive trips. I'm 5'2" and weigh 88 lbs (10 lbs less than when I first started diving). I've used a Zeagle Zena BCD, and have almost 400 dives with it. It zips down the front with side and shoulder buckles for a snug adjustment; no cummerund or weight belt! Front and back pockets for weights. Depending upon the thickness of the wetsuit, I put 3 or 4 lb wts in each of the front pockets. When I've done cold water dives in fresh water, I've also put weights in the back pockets. I've switched out the mouthpiece on my Sherwood regs for smaller mouthpieces; this is easy to do yourself. I also have a junior size dive mask (still good after almost four years). The hardest thing is to get a wetsuit that fits, not just when trying it on, but when you're in the water. I end up with water coming in at the neck, and then I'm cold the whole dive. Started out with a Henderson T2 3mm wetsuit in size 4, which was great until the legs got a little stretched out and I lost the 10 lbs. I bought the newest Henderson Titanium in a size 4 (small), and it was way too big, so I sent it back to the web vendor and got a full refund, since the sizing didn't match the mfr's guidelines (I've seen the suit on other lady divers, and they both said this model runs larger than other Henderson suites). I think the extra small might fit, but I'm trying other options before shelling out $450 for another wetsuit. I'm going to try wearing a hooded vest under the 3 mm suit to see if that will work.

[Aquacat3]

I am 5 1 1/2" and about 95 lb. I have a Scubapro Ladyhawk which I love but am also thinking of getting an Oxycheq backplate/wings. I started with a Scubapro Bella which is a jacket style (I wanted pockets) but the Ladyhawk is much better: much more freedom of movement and better suited to drysuit if needed. Besides, in a BCD this size, the pockets are close to useless. Now I just clip things to D-rings.

Personally I don't like the weight system on Zeagle so would avoid that brand but others obviously don't mind.

[don'tpanic_it'swater]

maybe i'm being captain obvious... i'm not sure if you're looking into buying tanks, but having access to a c60 changed my diving forever. but the considerably smaller size WILL affect the style of bp/w you get.

[trapmonkey]

Thanks for all your advice and sharing.

we ended up with a scubapro litehawk BCD (XS/S) . light back floatation minimalist, yet not a BP/w. sternum strap was moved up as it had an uncomfortable nipping tendency on the uuum chest area. otherwise looks and feels great according to her.

regulators purchased were scubapro's excellent mk 25/S600 set up.

was the top of the line until the A700 came out, but lighter than the A700 second, so a plus for smaller ladies :)

test dives in a week or two and we'll check back in...

cheers for all your help

[Pdouble0k]

I'm a little bit bigger than your wife. ( 125-130 pounds / 5.8 feet )
And I'm using.

- BCD : Scuba Pro - Equator size S
- Reg : Aqualung Titan LX
- Wetsuit : Ripcurl 3/2 size 8

All are great and comfy for me.
Not sure if I'm too late for this topic or not. LoL =P

[divestrawberrypa]

I use a ScubaPro Ladyhawk. I have about 200 dives on it and like it. I looked into the ScubapPro "light wieght travel BC" but you have to use a weight belt with it. Not a fan of weight belts. My first BC was a ladies Zeagle. It was a zip up front. It was OK until I started wearing a dry suit and it would not zip due to the extra material and underwear. Look into the ScubaPro, I think she will like it! Good Luck!

[mdax]

my fiance is about that size 5'2" 100# and she hated conventional bc's. Now she dives only back plate and wings (when not sidemount) and loves her dss rig for singles and halcyon small pink bp/w for doubles.

[diveprof]

The Scuba Pro Lady Hawk is nice if you don't want to go the BP/w route. She might want to take a look at the BP/W travel setup I dive. I'm diving the 18lb Oxeycheq wing with the SS travel plate (2.5 pound), Oxycheq harness (deluxe). I have a couple of Oxycheq medium pockets (holds 5 pounds each) when extra weight is needed. This packs very small and is very light, but very durable. Love it!

[anilaodiva]

I have been using the Scubapro LadyHawk for the past 10 yrs. Regulator is Scubapro MK20 S600. I dive in the tropics, this set up is pretty light weight. Great thing about Scubapro is the durability, if it is properly maintained. I'm eyeing the MK25 A700, might get it for Christmas.:D

[Culcuhain]

Wife has a Ladyhawke and her reg is an Atomic B2.