Buoyancy, Comfort, and Scuba Diving BCDs
Those that have never gone on a scuba diving excursion will often take for granted the diver’s ability to ascend and descend in the water. Experienced divers do understand such ability derives from wearing a quality scuba diving BCD. BCDs (Buoyancy Control Devices) are the inflatable vest apparatuses responsible increasing the buoyancy needed to reach the surface.
This is achieved through filling the BCD with air from the scuba tank. Deflating air levels will offer the equally important opposite effect which would be to decrease buoyancy in order to sink below the ocean’s surface. Most importantly, a Buoyancy Control Device allows divers to maintain a sense of stability regarding the depth they wish to maintain. Again, this is achieved through inflating or deflating the BCD to the appropriate required level.
Scuba diving BCDs are best described as jackets worn over the torso. Since a diver needs to move without any restrictions it is critical that the proper BCD is purchased.
How can you define a proper BCD? The attributes required in scuba diving BCDs would be reliability, performance, and comfort. Without any of these elements, the BCD is not going to deliver on what is expected of it. That means the potential to have a safe and enjoyable scuba diving experience will be compromised.
Determining performance and reliability of a BCD is not all that difficult. Selecting top name brand BCDs produced by a major name manufacturers is the way to do this. As for comfort, you need to be a little more personalized in how you make a purchase.
In a way, you should look at a BCD as being similar in many ways to apparel. This means you need to make finding the proper fit to be your first priority. The system should fit snug but not too tight and definitely not too loose. You also will need to wear the BCD both fully inflated and deflated. You also should try it on while a scuba tank is connected to it. Many will try out wearing a BCD and base an impression on it without the tank. Doing so can be a huge mistake since the BCD is only valuable when you are in the water at which point it will have a tank connected to it.
BCDs should also come with the proper amount of padding to ensure that it does not scrap or chaff the person wearing it. The padding can also act as a buffer when the scuba tank shifts and moves as you maneuver in the water. A padded neck lining is also another plus.
You will also find that certain scuba diving BCDs are heavier than others. Is one better than the other? This can be considered a matter of personal preference and you do want to be sure that the BCD you procure is the one that matches your own particular preference.
There is a significant difference in the range of prices among the many different types of BCDs available. BCDs prices are commonly listed in between $250 and $600. The higher priced BCDs will come with additional features which enhance the experience of wearing one. For example, the higher end BCDs may contain a back mounted air cell which makes the chest area much more spacious and comfortable. The lower priced versions might be considered a bit stripped down in terms of their additional features but do effectively perform the basic tasks a BCD is intended to deliver. To those concerned merely with the basic performance of a BCD, the lack of added features might not be of much concern.
BCDs should also include pockets which are intended to hold additional weights needed to help overcome buoyancy. Granted, your primary weight holder will be a weight belt but the added benefit of exercising the option of adding weights to the BCD can be beneficial. How much weight can be held and how the weight is distributed through the BCD should all be taken into consideration prior to making a purchase.
It is also important to point out that there are both men’s and women’s designs. The main difference would be the way the BCD fits the contour of the wearer’s shape. Since the torso and bone structure of men and women are different, BCDs are definitely not one size fits all and this is doubly true when basing size and fit on the gender of the diver.
It may seem like there are quite a few things of consideration one must weight prior to purchasing a BCD. Considering the extremely important purpose a BCD serves, taking the time out to carefully weigh these many options will be worth the extra effort.
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 Hollis HD100 Heavy Duty Scuba Dive Tech Rec BC BCD Size Medium M Blue Red Black $225.00 Time Remaining: 14h 34m Buy It Now for only: $299.99 Buy It Now |
 New Oceanic Explorer Youth / KIDS Scuba BCD - XXSM $249.95 Time Remaining: 12d 22h 13m Buy It Now for only: $249.95 Buy It Now |
 SEAQUEST AQUALUNG PRO QD+ PLUS SCUBA BC BCD BOUYANCY COMPENSATOR XL EXCELLENT $162.49 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 15h 30m |
 BCD TUSA CONQUEST SCUBA DIVING BUOYANCY COMPENSATOR scuba diving equipment large $499.95 Time Remaining: 15d 18h 1m Buy It Now for only: $499.95 Buy It Now |
 BRAND NEW SHERWOOD SCUBA BCD SIZE SMALL $150.00 Time Remaining: 16h 6m |
 Scuba BCD SeaQuest Diva LX small $150.00 Time Remaining: 1d 16h 52m |
 Mares Hybrid Dive Scuba Diving Men's BCD Buoyancy Compensator XL $499.95 Time Remaining: 9d 15h 2m Buy It Now for only: $499.95 Buy It Now |
 US U S U-S U.S.DIVERS DIVERS SCUBA DIVING USED MEDIUM BCD BLACK EQUIPMENT $69.99 Time Remaining: 1d 17h 8m Buy It Now for only: $79.99 Buy It Now |
 TUSA SELENE WING SCUBA DIVING BCD - BUOYANCY COMPENSATOR - SIZE XS - WOMENS BC $231.99 Time Remaining: 1d 17h 18m Buy It Now for only: $280.98 Buy It Now |
 BCD TUSA LIBERATOR SIGMA BCJ-3200B SCUBA Diving Size scuba diving equipment M $279.95 Time Remaining: 6d 16h 24m Buy It Now for only: $279.95 Buy It Now |
 Aeris Atmos LX BCD HYBRID Jacket Buoyancy Compensator-Scuba Diving Gear-*NiCe* $100.00 Time Remaining: 1d 17h 27m |
 SCUBAPRO SEAHAWK Scuba Diving Bouyancy Compensator BCD W/A.I.R.2 Excellent Cond. $232.50 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 15h 45m |
 Aeris EX100 Jacket Style Weight Integrated Scuba BCD sm scuba diving equipment $225.00 Time Remaining: 13d 19h 34m Buy It Now for only: $225.00 Buy It Now |
 SCUBA AIR HORN for BUOYANCY COMPENSATOR BCD QUICK CONNECT $25.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 3d 16m |
 Sherwood AVID BCD Size LARGE - Scuba Diving $299.00 Time Remaining: 8d 21h 25m Buy It Now for only: $299.00 Buy It Now |
 SCUBA AIR HORN for BUOYANCY COMPENSATOR BCD SCUBAPRO SIZE QUICK CONNECT $25.00 Time Remaining: 3d 10h 17m |
 ZEAGLE BCD / Size Large / Scuba Buoyancy Control Device $76.00 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 3d 15h 39m |
 Bare BCD BlackWing Scuba Diving Buoyancy NEW 2XL $599.95 Time Remaining: 21d 12h 28m Buy It Now for only: $599.95 Buy It Now |
 Tusa Liberator 2 Scuba BC Model BCJ-2500, Sz XL, Very Nice! Scuba Dive BCD $61.00 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 3d 17h 1m |
 Oceanic Oceanpro BCD, size Large, good condition, scuba diving bc $126.00 (27 Bids) Time Remaining: 3d 18h 44m |
 DiveTek Trim BCD Scuba Dive diving back inflation Tech buoyancy compensator $299.98 Time Remaining: 25d 14h 32m Buy It Now for only: $299.98 Buy It Now |
 Seaquest Quickdraw BCD, size Large, Great Condition, scuba dive bc diving $101.99 (14 Bids) Time Remaining: 3d 19h 15m |
 Dacor BCD Scuba Vest Blue $50.00 Time Remaining: 3d 20h 23m |
 LADIES BCD Buoyancy Compensator L WT INTGRATED SCUBA $181.99 Time Remaining: 25d 21h 23m Buy It Now for only: $181.99 Buy It Now |
 U.S. Divers Aqualung Cruise BCD, size Large, great condition, scuba diving bc $5.50 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 3d 21h 1m |
 Lady's XS Genesis Athena Scuba Dive BC BCD Weight Integrated $245.00 Time Remaining: 3d 21h 26m |
 BCD4000 soveriegn SCUBA DIVING BUOYANCY COMPENSATOR scuba diving equipment m/L $469.00 Time Remaining: 15d 18h 21m Buy It Now for only: $469.00 Buy It Now |
 OCEANIC CHUTE 2 BCD * Size XL* Back Inflate * Scuba Diving Buoyancy Compensator $152.50 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 3d 21h 34m |
 BCD9300 selene SCUBA DIVING BUOYANCY COMPENSATOR scuba diving equipment medium $539.00 Time Remaining: 15d 18h 37m Buy It Now for only: $539.00 Buy It Now |
 USED Sherwood Silhouette Womens Scuba Diving Dive BCD BC Buoyancy Compensator SM $40.00 Time Remaining: 3d 21h 35m Buy It Now for only: $80.00 Buy It Now |
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Mares Dragon AT BCD With MRS Weight Pockets Sale Price: $648.24 - $649.00  |
Description
Mares Dragon AT BCD With MRS Weight Pockets FEATURES Mares new Dragon Bladder design. Tightly tailored reducing drag, placing much of the air around the tank, contoured to greatly minimize the feel of the bladder underneath your arms, and creating comfortable surface flotation. With a lift of 20k/44lbs size lg. Innovative Protective buoyancy cover: Superior combination of 3D Alutex protection, abrasion resistant net, smooth shield fabric covering 420 denier bladder MRS Plus. Mares evolution of the 1st mechanical weight system introduced to the market. Incorporating a newly designed buckle system, one pull movement to release your weights. Shaped pockets to form to your waist. Large, zippered opening allows for easier insertion of weights. Max load of 6k/13 lbs with most sizes. Inside Velcro to section the pocket in case you don t use the full capacity. Trim Wts holding up to 4.5/10lbs total. Positioned in the lower part of the BCD for better upright efficiency at the surface, and a more steamlined profile. BPS Plus (Back Protection system) patented dual position lumbar capability. Heavily padded in either position, you can double the padding for increased lumbar support or extend the length of the padding depending on body shape. Ultimate PRE dive comfort. Smart D ring position. Large AISI 304 Stainless steel rings, 2 bent: 2 upper and 2 lower that are positioned intelligently with in your downward vision also functioning as leverage while inserting the weight pockets. Elastic cummerbund secures BCD in place and adjusts for wetsuit compression at depth. QAS- Quick Adjust System, change the length of the cummerbund for a better customized fit. Neoprene padded neck collar to eliminate uncomfortable chafing on the neck and shoulders. Plush interior. BCD fabric that is characteristically tough may not feel so nice against bare skin in warm water, so we added velvet finish on the inside body and shoulder area. Ergonomically shaped shoulders to alleviate
Features
- PADI Master Scuba Diving Instructor Owned and Operated.
- This Product Comes Complete With A Full Manufacturer Warranty.
