BUYING A SCUBA BCD
How to Choose a Scuba BCD
Choosing a scuba BCD can be tricky. different designs and features, most divers aren’t really aware of their pros and cons.
By knowing the pros and cons of each feature and design , your decision on buying the scuba BCD that will match your need can be a lot easier.
Let’s review these to match your needs:
There are two types of scuba BCD:
Bladder-less scuba BCD
The bladder-less scuba BCD is made of one tough fabric that holds up the air. It is mainly used in compact mainstream designs.
Double bag scuba BCD
Double bag scuba BCD uses an additional inner layer, a bladder, which holds the air and is protected by a tough outer layer. This design is commonly used for heavy lifting, large capacity such as in Tec diving.
There are 4 designs of scuba BCD:
Front mounted Scuba BCD-Known as ABLJ- Adjustable buoyancy life jacket:
This early scuba BCD design lacks the backpack to support the scuba tank, thus rarely in use for scuba, though very popular in snorkeling.
Back mounted Scuba BCD- Known as wings scuba BCD
A large horseshoe shaped bladder mounted around a backpack. This design is a standard BCD for Tec diving and cave diving. Main default is a tendency to float face forward while at the surface.
Advanced designed Jacket Scuba BCD
Distributing the buoyancy better, while providing a back mounted scuba BCD design this scuba BCD design offers better buoyancy control and comfort than the previous designs, making it the most popular and commonly used scuba BCD design in the market.
System scuba BCD
An adaptable design suitable for both recreational diving and Tec diving.
This design introduces interchangeable bladders and an extremely versatile harness.
Scuba BCD weight system:
Integrated weight system scuba BCD:
This scuba BCD design allows you to put weights in it. Why?
1. Adding weights to your scuba BCD, distributes buoyancy more evenly, making diving more comfortable.
2. Wearing a weight belt at the surface pulls you body down, while the scuba BCD pulls your upper torso upwards, making it a bit awkward and uncomfortable to stay on the surface. An integrated weight system scuba BCD design is better secured on your shoulders and back making it more comfortable at the surface.
Weight Harness:
The quick release weight belt is the most common use of weights system. The Scuba BCD and weights are separated. Generally lower cost scuba BCD comparing to integrated weights designs.
Diving with a quick release weight belt-
The most common use of weights system. Your Scuba BCD and weights are separated. Generally lower cost scuba BCD comparing to integrated weights designs.
