| When a diver wants to buy a scuba diving BCD, they | | | | Integrated Weights |
| have usually only used a set of school diving | | | | The idea behind integrated weights is to take some |
| equipment, and don't really know the options | | | | of the pressure off your hips and back, and spread |
| available. The first question most people ask when | | | | the weight about a bit more. When you first start |
| faced with a shelf full of BCDs is 'What is the | | | | out you generally use more weight than you need, |
| difference' or more to the point 'What am I paying | | | | and might not be sure about integrated weight |
| for?' - in this article I will explain most of the common | | | | systems. Luckily most BCDs allow you to either use |
| features found on current scuba diving BCDs and | | | | or not use the weights as you see fit; you can just |
| who they're aimed at. | | | | leave them out if you like. |
| First of all I should explain that most jacket style | | | | If you have the money, and have decided upon a |
| diving BCDs are largely the same - the main | | | | jacket style BCD, its best to get one with the option |
| difference is usually whether they have an integrated | | | | of integrated weights, such as the Mares Dragon |
| weights system or how heavy/feature packed they | | | | BCD or Scubapro T-Force BCD. Typically you can put |
| are. I will leave wing-style BCDs for another article. | | | | up to 5kg in each weight pocket - this can be all your |
| How does the Scuba Diving BCD fit? | | | | weight in some countries, or around half for UK |
| This is the SINGLE most important factor to consider | | | | diving. |
| when buying a BCD. The most feature packed BCD, | | | | One point to make is that putting all your weight in |
| with the most rave reviews in the dive magazines is | | | | your BCD is NOT recommended, as this means you |
| useless if it is uncomfortable. For this reason always | | | | can't dump it all quickly in an emergency like you |
| try on a BCD before you buy it. You should consider: | | | | could with a weight belt. |
| 1) How does the cut of the BCD feel - does it cut in | | | | Weight of the Scuba Diving BCD |
| under your armpits or is there plenty of room? For | | | | The weight of the BCD can be a very important |
| ladies, consider a special ladies jackets such as the | | | | factor - to take two examples, the Buddy |
| Mares Kalia Scuba Diving BCD. | | | | Commando BCD, one of the most popular BCDs in |
| 2) Can you get in the pockets? A lot of BCDs have | | | | the UK, is very heavy compared to the Scubapro |
| ridiculously inaccessible pockets that are basically | | | | T-Sport. This is because the T-Sport BCD is designed |
| useless! | | | | for travelling, and the Buddy Commando BCD for UK |
| 3) How does the BCD feel when fully blown up? The | | | | scuba diving. |
| BCD must feel fine when fully inflated otherwise you | | | | If you plan on scuba diving solely in the UK, go for a |
| will feel the discomfort when at the surface. | | | | sturdy and rugged BCD which can stand up to the |
| 4) Does it drag when you put a tank on it? If | | | | typical UK scuba diving conditions. If you plan on |
| possible, get your dive centre to put the tank on | | | | scuba diving abroad a lot then go for the lightweight |
| your BCD and let you see how it feels - now would | | | | option - don't try and go for an inbetween scuba |
| be a good time to play with the tank buckle as some | | | | divng BCD, it won't be totally suitable for both, and |
| are better than others. The Scubapro system (at the | | | | will cost you in airport fees, as scuba diving isn't |
| time of writing) is a particularly good one. | | | | considered a sport unlike golf! |
| How much lift does the Scuba Diving BCD offer? | | | | Conclusion |
| A surprisingly common question is whether a BCD will | | | | So to sum it up, when buying a scuba diving BCD, |
| offer enough lift - do not worry about this - all | | | | choose one that fits even when fully inflated with a |
| modern BCDs will offer you plenty of lift, the fit of | | | | tank on, and if you can afford it get one with the |
| the BCD is much more important. If you really want a | | | | option of integrated weights so you leave your |
| number to gauge, around 10-15kg of lift is enough for | | | | options open. If in doubt, keep it simple! |
| all basic recreational scuba diving. | | | | |