Which BC to choose.

[leilanidallin]

Hi,

So I'm a fairly new diver and am looking to get my own BC. I'm looking for something that will last a while as I love diving and am going to get my divemaster and instructor certificates when possible. I would like a BC that is good in cold and warm water, hopefully mainly warm, and that is not too bulky; I am a 5'4'', 125lb female and don't want to be taken over by overly large gear. I would like something that has adequate features to attach gear to, ie. D-rings. I also find that when I am on the bottom kneeling, for whatever reason, I tend to get pushed forward at the knee and need to correct myself or end up in the muck. This is probably an issue with me being a newish diver and something I can sort out with experience but I've also heard that rear inflating BC's may make this worse. I'm willing to put down a fair chunk of change for such an important piece of gear but also don't want to break the bank. Any imput would be appriciated.

Thanks!!

Leilani

[Tony&Trudie]

I just recently received my OW certification, I am quite a bit taller than you, but weight proportion very close. During my training I used a stock BC from the dive center and fought it, as I have very narrow shoulders and it was very uncomfortable. After trying several I settled on a TUSA Selene Wing, it is very comfortable and has numerous adjustment and setup capabilities. I am not sure where it compares price wise as I am more concerned with comfort and fit than $$$$.

Happy diving!

[fnfalman]

Hi,

So I'm a fairly new diver and am looking to get my own BC. I'm looking for something that will last a while as I love diving and am going to get my divemaster and instructor certificates when possible. I would like a BC that is good in cold and warm water, hopefully mainly warm, and that is not too bulky; I am a 5'4'', 125lb female and don't want to be taken over by overly large gear. I would like something that has adequate features to attach gear to, ie. D-rings. I also find that when I am on the bottom kneeling, for whatever reason, I tend to get pushed forward at the knee and need to correct myself or end up in the muck. This is probably an issue with me being a newish diver and something I can sort out with experience but I've also heard that rear inflating BC's may make this worse. I'm willing to put down a fair chunk of change for such an important piece of gear but also don't want to break the bank. Any imput would be appriciated.

Thanks!!

Leilani

First of all, congrats on getting your cert.

Secondly, since that you want to do both cold & warm diving AND be a dive professional, you'd need a BC that is modular and configurable. And that means a backplate/wing BC. You can do a search function and read all about BPW and then some. These threads even talk about how back inflate BC would or would not push your face down. The beautiful thing about the harness on a BPW is that no matter what your body build is, no matter what gender you are, the harness can be made to fit. The jacket BCs that are touted as cut for a woman's body...pray tell, which woman's body? The curvaceous type, the athletic type, or the Olive Oile type? The one with rather ample bosom? The one with modest bosom? There are no such worries with a BPW BC. The harness is 100% adjustable for any body configuration.

Thirdly, the ability to be on one's knees at the bottom is overrated. You're a diver and not a kneeler. There aren't too many times that you would need to be at the bottom (shark feeding and maybe some photographical constraints). The idea is to be able to establish buoyancy at any depth and stay OFF the bottom and away from the reef/coral.

[tk trekers]

I would second the BP/W configuration for what you describe or steer you towards a Zeagle Zena BCD. The Zeagles have a lot of size options where you can change portions for a better fit. HERE is a link so you can see one. Your profile doesn't indicate where you live but if you have a Zeagle dealer close to you it would be worth your while to stop in and try some on.

There's a small for sale here on the board, HERE and some of the resident SB members have posted some good things about it as well.

[diversteve]

Just to confuse things further, Zeagle also sells the Lazer (women's version of the Stiletto) and Eden (warm water) as part of their line. Recreational BCs - BCs - Zeagle Dive Systems

And:

All of Zeagle’s buoyancy systems are available with women’s sizing options and can be adjusted to provide excellent fit and functionality for women divers.

If you do eventually teach, they'll want you diving in what the store sells while teaching class anyway. So just buy what you like now.

A properly trimmed out back-inflate BC won't push you forward. The trick is to have the weight dispersed correctly. With my BC I put up to 40% of my weight in the rear trim pockets and can generally maintain any position I choose.

[spacemanspiff1974]

I would also suggest a zeagle. Throw a couple of trim weights on the back. The only other suggestion I would have would be to look at a zeagle escape. This is a unisex bc but since Zeagle straps are interchangeable you can fit it you your body type pretty well. My wife dives with one and she is 36 DD and has no problem with the chest strap.