BCD’s (buoyancy compensation devices, or jackets) come in a variety of styles to suit different types of diver. Essentially they all have the same basic functions:
- To provide buoyancy at the surface
- To allow you to adjust your buoyancy for neutrality when submerged
- To hold your cylinder fixed to your back
- To provide points to attach things
Additionally, some also offer:
- Storage pockets
- Integrated weight systems
These days BCD’s come in two basic types:
Conventional BCD
This type looks like a life jacket and will have a full “front” section with pockets, perhaps with slots for integrated weights. These generally consist of a main air bladder around the cylinder, with additional bags at the front to distribute the buoyancy evenly. They’re great for storage and hanging things from, but can be bulky and awkward in small spaces like caves or wreck penetrations.
Wing Type BCD
Wings have all the buoyancy bladders at the rear, and are usually secured at the front only with straps. Their great advantage is their compact size, which is why they have been adopted as the BCD of choice by technical divers. It can be harder to trim a wing than a conventional BCD, they do lack pockets and you have to be careful at the surface as they tend to give you a “head down” attitude.
Which system to go for is down to personal preference, but in either case these things should always be considered:
- Comfort – the BCD should be tight but comfortable at the surface. Note there are ladies designs.
- Lifting Capacity – the BCD should have an adequate lifting capacity
- You should be able to comfortably reach and control the inflate and deflate buttons
- You should be easily able to release yourself from the BCD
- You should be able to incorporate your gear onto the BCD with straps or in pockets
My personal preference is for a semi wing, which is a conventional BCD, but with larger than normal air bags at the rear and with integrated weights, which I find much more comfortable than a weight belt. I use small trim weights around the tank to balance myself adequately.
Look out for a couple of reviews of different types of BCD over the next week or so. Enter our competition by signing up with your email, and we’ll send you a reminder of what’s been posted here from time to time.
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Which Piece of Kit Should I Buy First?
Submitted by Scuba Mike on Sun, 18/01/2009 - 15:13.You’ve passed your initial qualifications, you’ve had a few dives and it’s time to buy your first piece of kit! Much as you’d like to go out and splash several thousands dollars, Euros or Pounds on a complete set of dive gear, you can’t afford to, so you’re going to gradually build up your own kit. Where do you start, assuming you already have your log book?
Dive Computer
Choosing a Dive Mask
Submitted by Scuba Mike on Sun, 18/01/2009 - 17:27.
Given that vision is the one sense we retain fully when we’re diving, choosing the correct mask is absolutely vital if you are to enjoy your diving.
It goes without saying that you should only purchase a mask designed for diving, rather than a snorkelling mask, for example. A diving mask will feature toughened glass suitable for the pressure experienced at depth.
Overall Fit
Choosing the Right Fins
Submitted by Scuba Mike on Mon, 19/01/2009 - 18:28.
Whilst I can give you some general help with choosing your fins, at the end of the day the design is very much down to your needs and they type of diving you actually do.
Choosing a Wetsuit
Submitted by Scuba Mike on Sat, 24/01/2009 - 18:18.
A wetsuit is pretty much an essential piece of kit for a dive, affording some protection from cuts and scrapes, but with the primary aim of keeping your body warm. The body cannot maintain it's own temperature in water cooler than 33 degrees, so even in the tropics some kind of suit is needed.
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