Back inflate vs. Vest?

[tina.canada]

Hey everyone

I'm about to purchase a new BC(in a couple days) and am leaning towards the ladyjac back inflate. Have always used a vest but considering how much lighter the back inflate is for travelling it seems more ideal. And I do travel alot...From what I've seen the only cons are the push forward but I think I can work it out...that is unless its very annoying?? Any feedback welcome Thx so much!!

 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

I dive both poodle jackets and back inflates. The face forward issue is moot in both unless you are overweighted. It really comes down to personal preference. If you are traveling, I would definitely go smaller and lighter. I have perfectly good gear that I am tempted to replace just because it it to bulky to travel with now that I am living in God forsaken west Texas.

 

[spectrum]

Hi Tina,

I just went from a jacket to a back inflate (wing). A back inflate need not plant your face in the water if you rig and use it correctly.

It probably will not let you rise up out of the water as much as your jacket. The buoyancy is all out back and if you highly inflate a big wing your face is going down. For most divers that are comfortable in the water the lift is ample.

You will want to wear your weight based to the back a little more, especially with aluminum cylinders. This may mean adding a weight pocket or 2 to a cam band to put a little weight way out back.

It's all about balance but it is manageable. When in doubt lay back on the raft.

Pete

 

[Bazooka Joe]

A good choice is the Zena by Zeagle, it is made for women, my wife dives it and it works very well.

The weighting of a Zeagle are right over the hip bones and not toward the front, with trim weights on the back standard. Kim never struggles with a face first issue and after entering the water she does a quick adjustment and she never messes with her BC again.

Good Luck on your choice, it is your decision.

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

I dive both a SeaQuest ADV Spectrum 2 vest and a SeaQuest Balance back inflate. Completely fill the bladders at the surface and the vest reclines you while you recline the back inflate. Put just enough air in the bladders to barely float your mouth above the surface and the pockets work in the vest (sort of) while the back inflate does not push my face into the water (much). While diving, the kidney dump on the vest is right next to my kidney while on the back inflate it is way out at the edge of my reach on the back side of the wing. While diving I must hold the Balance's in/deflator tube significantly farther back and up to release air compared to the ADV.

 

[DennisW]

My wife also uses a Zeagle Zena and loves the way it fits and how adjustable it is. Me? I don't particularly care for back inflate BCs. They tend to trap air IMHO. I like my Scubapro Sport Classic vest with a weight belt.

 

[PiranhaChris]

Like most I used both Jacket (Seaquest Pro QD) and Back (SeaQuest Balance) and I Love the Back set up. I just found a way to adjust myself at the surface so I can pretty much lean back and relax.

Plus I find it's easier underwater with the back cause there's more mobility cause there's less restriction.

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

To be clear, the reason I dive the back inflate is because the slate my employer makes me carry attaches elegantly. If I had found a way to attach it elegantly to the vest I would have never needed the back inflate. I am comfortable enough to dive well with any Buoyancy Control Device, including BP/W, but vests are my preference 'cause I feel they are easier to use.

 

[Deep-6]

The only time you'll be prone to be forced facefirst into the water is if you over inflate your BCD at the surface. I dive a ScubaPro Knighthawk (Back inflation BCD) and it's never happened to me. As mentioned earlier, a back inflation BCD won't lift you out of the water as high as a vest so you'll float lower at the surface. I also find that surface swims are more comfortable with a back inflation BCD and I tend to be more streamlined.