britusa:
Howdy,
I'm new to diving - very new. I'd like to get some of my own gear because I don't fit well in the stuff at the shops. I'm 5'1", 155lbs. In particular I'm looking for advice regarding a BC. All the ones I wear for training are too long in the torso. They are also full jacket and I feel a bit "smothered" in them. (mainly because they do ride up a bit around my neck). Any advice on what I should be looking for when I look at BCs? Is there a particular brand you like better than others?
Thanks in advance.
Believe it or not, you are not the first short woman who has not fit well into dive gear at the shops!! :11: (I know you're shocked, shocked! to hear this...) In fact, many other women report feeling the exact same sensations that you've experienced - smothered, or having the BC ride up on their torsos. Up on the bar just below where it says "Welcome, britusa" the third link over from the right is the Search link. Go to Advanced Search. If you enter key words like 'women' and 'BCs' you'll find quite a few threads discussing these issues, same (for example) if you use 'Women Zena Libra' or other combinations. (You can find the same threads in the archives by scrolling through the BC or Women's sections also, but using Search can be a bit faster...)
One of the things you'll also discover are the debates, one of which is germane to your interests. BCs come in different categories, some of which are jacket or wrap-around styles, which offer inflation panels on the sides and fronts, and back inflates or backplate and wings styles, which put all the inflation behind you. While both offer pros and cons, one of the advantages to back inflate BCs, including backplate and wings, are that the only thing that is on the front of you is the straps holding it on. Nothing crushes against your sides or chest when the panels are inflated, so you don't feel smothered. Plus, bp/wings don't ride up. A number of women on the board have just recently gone through exactly what you're going through. Best advice is to go through some of the recent threads, then PM some of the women and find out what they discovered as they looked at what was available. Best of luck.
[Ummm, you'll also find a company owned by women, who custom manufacture wetsuits just for women, that don't cost much more than off the rack wetsuits do, except that they fit about a thousand times better than off the rack wetsuits. Needless to say, this also makes fitting your BC easier. Its a system. All the parts work together. Problems in one area can lead to problems in others.]
And, welcome to Scuba Board.
Doc
ity_part .... i'm keeping my fingers crossed.
