BCD Lift Capacity

[blueskies_up_ahead]

@rsingler: ok, thanks. I live in Europe, so ordering from the US makes no sense But thanks for the recommendation. With regards to BPW, I'll first test dive the Finnsub to see if I like that at all. Then decide which brand. Though I've read good things about Finnsub, so if I decide to go with BPW I may just go with what's available to me locally. I understand BPW is good as it's versatile. But some jacket style wings are as well. I may just feel more comfortable with an out of the box solution. But I'll give it a try. I should be able to test the Hydros and the Finnsub. Probably not other wing options though. At least it will give me a feeling for wings, as I've only had rental jackets so far.

 

[Cheizz]

Most BP/W 'sets' come fully assembled and ready to dive. You just have to tighten or loosen the harness properly the first time you try it on, but that's about it.

Finnsub, xDeep, Tecline, OMS, all easy to come by in the EU and they all make a good single-tank BP/W setup that's ready to go.

 

[Shabaday]

If you go to heavier neoprene, you may well exceed your BCD's lift capacity, if you carry all your weight in the integrated pockets. This is because the lead offsetting your heavier suit's buoyancy, plus a full tank (especially steel) may indeed exceed your BCD's lift capacity when you're not wearing it (e. g., if you have to ditch it at the surface). But if you transfer some of your integrated weight to a weight belt so that you are using your suit to help support that lead at the surface, I'll bet that even then your BCD should do just fine.

However, you now need to consider the loss of buoyancy at depth as that heavier neoprene gets compressed. At 100 feet in heavier neoprene, you may well not have sufficient buoyancy to offset a full tank plus lead, when your suit's lift has been compressed away.

This is an excellent post. This happens to us in deeper cold water dives wearing a steel tank, 7mm wet suit, gloves, boots, hood etc....You are weighted for 15-20 ft safety stop with 500psi so naturally you are over weighted in the beginning of the dive by quite a bit. A lot of us have gone to "greater" lift capacity wings. Not by much but say 28# to now using 36#. I have a DGX 30 wing that I changed out to the xDeep Zen wing that is closer to 36# lift. Also I have a bad back so I have to don my BC in the water....so I have my steel backplate, integrated weights and steel tank on the BP/W floating ...the added lift helps because my wet suit hasn't come into play as of yet. My circumstances may be different than yours. I did perfectly fine with the DGX wing when I could walk into the water with all my gear on

 

[blueskies_up_ahead]

Most BP/W 'sets' come fully assembled and ready to dive. You just have to tighten or loosen the harness properly the first time you try it on, but that's about it.

Finnsub, xDeep, Tecline, OMS, all easy to come by in the EU and they all make a good single-tank BP/W setup that's ready to go.

That reminds me two questions I had in the back of my mind: can I adjust the harness of a BPW setup to loosen in when putting it on and getting out of it? Or how does that work? Also, do I need a crotch strap (sounds horribly uncomfortable to me lol)? I've read a few posts on the second question but didn't really find a conclusive answer. Would a chest strap be kind of an alternative? BPWs don't seem to have one.

 

[Cheizz]

A crotch strap is not uncomfortable unless it's too tight. But normally, I don't feel the thing. It helps greatly with stability though, especially if you're bobbing around at the surface.

As for the quick adjustment of the harness when donning and doffing: no, that isn't standard. But you can put in a simple metal hook-thingy:

 

[inquis]

can I adjust the harness of a BPW setup to loosen in when putting it on and getting out of it?

Set it loose enough to get in & out. Stability comes from the waist/crotch straps. Note the entry/exit at 1:00 and 1:50 in this tutorial:

 

[rsingler]

Adjustable harnesses with quick release buckles are frowned upon in some communities. But DiveRite makes an adjustable harness with buckles that I love for single tank warm water diving. Getting in and out is a breeze, the crotch strap is softer webbing, and it's very sturdy. I think the "unexpected release/broken buckle" bugaboo is overblown for single tank.

 

[blueskies_up_ahead]

Thanks everyone!

 

[KenE]

The best advice is to rent first, the biggest mistake new divers (including me) make is buying too fast. BCDs are easily rented and in my opinion are the last piece to purchase. For me the mask, fins, boots were first, then exposure suit, followed by regulators. I bought a jacket BCD only because I have an injury (now two of them) that prevents me from getting into it without unbuckling the left shoulder strap. So a true DIR bp/w is outside of my options due to injuries. I will later go to a bp/w with a modified strap when my BCD wears out. It works and allows me to get wet often. I believe the lift options have been clearly explained, but really, just rent for your first 10 dives and try several out, you will find that they function differently than you think at first look. So, rent with an open mind and get what is comfortable and will grow with you as you dive. Only you can answer where you intend to grow in diving. Your LDS is a good resource, most are not there to sell you junk, most are there to keep you happily diving for as long as possible. Take it slow and enjoy the ride, I sure have!!

 

[blueskies_up_ahead]

The best advice is to rent first, the biggest mistake new divers (including me) make is buying too fast. BCDs are easily rented and in my opinion are the last piece to purchase. For me the mask, fins, boots were first, then exposure suit, followed by regulators. I bought a jacket BCD only because I have an injury (now two of them) that prevents me from getting into it without unbuckling the left shoulder strap. So a true DIR bp/w is outside of my options due to injuries. I will later go to a bp/w with a modified strap when my BCD wears out. It works and allows me to get wet often. I believe the lift options have been clearly explained, but really, just rent for your first 10 dives and try several out, you will find that they function differently than you think at first look. So, rent with an open mind and get what is comfortable and will grow with you as you dive. Only you can answer where you intend to grow in diving. Your LDS is a good resource, most are not there to sell you junk, most are there to keep you happily diving for as long as possible. Take it slow and enjoy the ride, I sure have!!

I'm past 10 dives and have rented so far but always the same 2 BCDs. Not so many available to try... The shop where I did my OWD only sells one brand which annoys me. Another shop where I've bought a few things will let me try the above mentioned BCDs. And that's all the testing I can do I guess. I do have all major equipment except for BCD and regulator (and torch if you count that in). And the BCD is definitely next on my list. I'm annoyed by badly fitting BCDs that I don't know inside out. Regulators on the other hand are expensive to service and if I dive with good shops I trust they service their regs well. So for now I'm happy renting those.