I go with BC, BCD seems the same as saying ATM Machine
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I call mine a BP/W ...
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
Hey Everyone,
I know this may sound like a stupid question and I am a newbie so please bare with me, I have a couple questions.
I am a newly certified open water diver and would like to know everyone's thoughts on calling your buoyancy control device a BCD or a BC. On my first discovery scuba dive, one of the other divers (certified) insisted that it wasn't called a buoyancy control device but a buoyancy compensation device. Being the new guy I didn't argue and no one else was in the area to possibly correct him. Although I knew I wasn't wrong, I wasn't sure if he was right. Ive also heard them referred to as buoyancy compensator and I am assuming thats where BC comes from. Please let me know your thoughts.
P.S. I know I could just ask someone the next time I dive but I thought it might be a good topic of conversation. If there is another thread about this please let me know. When searching for BC, BCD, etc. there is a LOT to filter through.
Thanks!
After shortening it from words to BCD to BC, the next logical step is to shorten it again, and simply call it B as in "I put some air in my B".The long-hand nomenclature is a buoyancy compensation device (BCD); however, people like shortcuts and so anything that can be shortened will be shortened for ease of use (or laziness). Hence they are also commonly known as buoyancy compensators (BC). You don't have to worry about which way you refer to it as the terms are synonymous.
I read your post as two questions: 1) 'control' vs 'compensator' and 2) 'BC' vs 'BCD'. There is not one 'right' answer to either question, notwithstanding the zeal, confidence, and insistence of your fellow diver. A quick search of various websites reveals the following:I am a newly certified open water diver and would like to know everyone's thoughts on calling your buoyancy control device a BCD or a BC. On my first discovery scuba dive, one of the other divers (certified) insisted that it wasn't called a buoyancy control device but a buoyancy compensation device. Being the new guy I didn't argue and no one else was in the area to possibly correct him. Although I knew I wasn't wrong, I wasn't sure if he was right. Ive also heard them referred to as buoyancy compensator and I am assuming thats where BC comes from. Please let me know your thoughts.
potato/potahto tomato tomahto boyancy compensation device/bouyancy compensator/ vest thingy they all work.
After shortening it from words to BCD to BC, the next logical step is to shorten it again, and simply call it B as in "I put some air in my B".