BCDs - Jacket Style vs Wings - Scuba Tech Tips: S04E13
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- čas přidán 14. 11. 2016
- Alec compares the common stabilizing jacket BCD to back mounted or 'wing' BCD's. Both styles pros and cons are discussed plus how to properly distribute weights for comfortable diving.
**** Alec Peirce Scuba ****
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I could literally listen to Alec for hours... Something about the way he delivers information is both informative and entertaining. Love your work mate. - From Australia.
Hope you're finding some ideas.
Take care.
Alec
I know right..... Ive learned so much from him. He doesnt do like some folks do and go off on all this technical lingo, he keeps it plain talk, but that comes with ha ing the years of experience he has too. Very humble man.
I think the thing I look forward to the most in all these videos is the subtle, low-key shots at Kevin and his weight.
Low key?
As a bigger guy myself, I'm really curious just how big kevin actually is. Are there any videos that show him?
If there was a SCUBA Nobel Prize Alec would have one by now.
It's OK if he never gets a prize: Alec gets the "people's love award" for his contributions to SCUBA.
The "Scuba People's Love Award".
I like that. Screw the Oscars.
Take care.
Alec
Agreed.
Good information with the exception of the comment about adding air to your bcd to ascend, any properly trained and competent diver knows you do not add air to ascend, you fin to the surface and dump air to maintain a controlled ascent speed.
Apart from that it's fun to watch.
I love your style to explain things..
WOW i would love to have you as my Scubateacher... also your humor is the perfect one...
BIG THUMBS UP !!!
Keep this style ....
Thanks for watching.
Alec
"Do your job, Kevin" 🤣 Love these videos - thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge.
Glad you enjoyed it.
A
What a pleasure it is to learn so much from Alec, presented in such an enjoyable way. These videos are priceless, thanks.
Alex, you are a joy to get essential information about diving from. May you live another 70 years!
That's my plan Wendy. Thanks for watching.
A great video. I own both styles of BCD. I purchased my first wing-style BCD a couple years ago after using a conventional jacket-type BCD for 15+ years. I find the jackets-style BCD to be great not only for floating on the surface, but being surrounded by air bladders allows for very maneuverable diving underwater. With no high/low spots, I can dive sideways, tilted up/down much easier.
I purchased a wing-style (Rogue) for its modularity and compactness. It took some time in getting used to it. I find that the wing style BCD's tendency to make the diver horizontal makes for very relaxing diving as it keeps the diver in a horizontal position the entire time. I don't spend much time in a BCD on the surface for it's not that big a deal.
I love the compactness of the wing-style and it's much easier to get in and out of. For me, the comfort of the jacket-style has me wanting to use it again, but do not like the bulkier design.
Great explanation on both setups. I enjoy watching your videos! Keep up the good work!
Hey Alec, thank you so much for all your videos. You are so much fun to listen to and I learn something new every video.
Thanks for watching Rachel.
Alec
I for one appreciate all these tips, I am making the transition from hard hat commercial to becoming a scuba instructor so these have been very helpful in seeing the difference in technologies. Thanks again!!!!
The most detailed video I could find, thank you!! 👌🏻
Good day Senor Peirce, Alec I have been a fan for years and this is my first post to any sites except to last week in light of my dive in Santa Teresa in Costa Rica with Iguana Divers. I just arrived in Costa Rica where I will spend the next 4 years as a Canadian Diplomate assigned to the Canadian Embassy in San Jose. Prior to my departure I visited my Scuba Store in Ottawa and decided to purchase different equipment in order to adapt to the tropical conditions of Costa Rica. I also opted to a Wing BCD and I wish to express my sincere gratitude for this information as I have rearrange the weight distribution in the back as demonstrated in this video in order to improve on the buoyancy and stability at surface as most of the dives are from a boat. Again a big fan and now i will enjoy my renewed appreciation for Scuba Diving in the tropical climate. Been diving since 1988 but NOW it's time to move up. Ex-Air Force Pilot I have enjoy the air but my future is directed to the underwater. I am even considering retiring in this beautiful country as COVID not such an issue here. Happy new year Sir!!!
Thank you for sharing Pierre and Costa Rica is a beautiful place to retire to. As FYI, at the ranch right now its a warm -11C with a wind chill of -15C. Have fun diving and glad to help make your experience safer and fun. Take care.
I've been looking forward to this one, thanks Alec and Kevin!
This video sparked my interest in a back inflate BCD. I've watched several other CZcams videos on in and read a lot of reviews. Based on what I like personally, I've ordered this BCD from my local Oceanic dealer. I want to thank you for explaining the various points of it in comparison to full jacket BCDs. This looks like it will fit the bill for my particular diving preferences. Thanks again to you and Kevin for making these Tech Tip videos. I have learned something and enjoyed every one I have watched.
Absolutely the single greatest video I've watched!!!! thanks for the info!!!!
Alec! Thank you so much for sharing your wealth of knowledge! Your way of demystifying all things diving related is both comforting and illuminating.
My pleasure! Lots more to learn about this great sport.
A
As always, super-great. Thanks a million, Karl.
Alec, another great video! I'm an older diver that was certified only a few years ago. I wish I had done it early in life but can't change that. So your videos have helped me get some of the experience I missed. I hope to be diving for many more years and your tips have made diving much more enjoyable for me! I love the wing style BC as well, mostly due to the compact and light weight and your tip on weight distribution will make it even better when I wait for the boat to come pick me up... think I'll tinker around with the ratio of weight forward Vs back before my next dive. Thanks so much for this tip!!
Keep 'em coming buddy!
Chris
Greatest video about BCD/wings i've seen so far. And fun too !
Wow, thanks!
A
Alec is unbelievably charismatic! Enjoy every video!
Thank you!
I love your running commentary. Educational and funny just how it should be.. Thank you. I'm glad I subscribed.
Awesome, thank you! Lots to watch and laugh at, maybe even learn something too. Thanks for watching.
A
tanks for the video, great as always! I recently changed from bcd jacket style to wing,it's just great,the harness and backplate system is confortable, clean and efficient.
Great info as I've been away from diving since the late 80's. I've started getting interested in diving again and I'm enjoying all your videos, thank you!
Go for it Allen. Lots of tips to get you back up to date with gear and my Vintage Scuba will make you laugh at the stone age diving days.
A
Awesome video. I had been waiting for this one. Thanks, Alec.
You're my go to guy for Scuba! Keep up the awesome work!
Thanks Gabe.
Alec
Hi Alec, I wish I had seen your videos when I first started diving over 12 years ago now, (had to give up due to health problems) you have given me a great insight into all the things I was doing wrong in the beginning, dont get me wrong I have had some great dives in Portugal, Cyprus, and even here in the UK.
Its a great pity I cannot take it up again, but now at 73 and health issues, its too late but great to reminisce .
Thanks again from the UK, I will subscribe to your channel, as you never know my grand children might want to take up scuba diving, I did teach them to swim and snorkel in our 10 ft round Bestway pool.
Excellent teacher! I wish he taught my engineering courses in college I may have actually have enjoyed becoming an engineer.
Wow, thanks John.
A.
Thanks for replying to my comment on vintage dive equipment. I was raised in North Central Arkansas about 4 miles from Bull Shoals Lake. Wonderful lake. Started snorkeling around age 10. My dad loaned me the money to buy the Navy equipment after I salvaged a boat motor from 25 ft. of water with just the snorkel, mask and fins. The ex-Navy diver gave me a few tips and I bought a manual. Air was hard to find, At the time, my brother and I were the only divers that I knew of. I really enjoy the vintage equipment as I used some of the things you demonstrated. I am glad I found your channel. By the way, Sea Hunt was what got me into diving.
You and millions more were drawn to scuba diving by Mike Nelson and his exploits.
I'm glad you're enjoying my vids.
Take care.
Alec
Alec you're so competent person! This is great! Just look, you record your episodes without any cuts! That's because you have sooo much to say about it and you know this subject to the bones. Thanks!
I try for one take because Kevin complains the editing he has to do to make me look pretty. If there is cuts, it's probably because I either dropped something or was interrupted. We shoot it stores and customers love yelling out their love.
A.
@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter I’ll be following your advices! Good job!
Excellent. Not one of my several dive instructors resolved the balancing of weights back/forward to achieve comfort when at the surface with a non-STAB BCD. You did it clearly and concisely. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful! TC.
A
Alec, I really want to thank you for this video on the jacket and wing BCD, before I really didn't understand the differences and the benefits of either BCD.
Thanks Mike.
It was way too long but it's not a subject that can be shortened easily or it leaves more questions than it answers.
Thanks for watching.
Alec
every other instructor tries to make this scuba diving thing impossible - you do an amazing job
Thank you very much.
Alan you are fun and informative, I'm glad I found you
Thanks for waching. I hope you've seen or heard something new.
Alec
Fantastic video. Makes everything easy to understand. Now I know why I should invest in a wing-bcd.
I'm glad I was able to help Martin.
Take care.
Alec
Just compliment, I finally understand a lot of scuba things, just fantastic!
Glad I could help!
Top tips, as always. Just bought my first wing (XDeep Ghost) and can't wait to get it set up and give it a try.
08:26 hahahahaha! Thank you for that laughter Alec! Great one!
thank you very much for the video, and your time! - so much helpful - i'm going to watch all your films; greatings from Poland
Thanks for watching Piotr.
Alec
my new most favorite channel!!!!
Thanks. You'd better get busy Anas. You have a lot of catching up to do.
Thanks for watching.
Hope you enjoy it.
Alec
Thanks so very much! I'm heading for BVI soon on family holiday. They SCUBA and I snorkel. But I had NO IDEA what they were talking about with tech specifications of their kit. Now I can keep up with the after-dinner conversations and not feel like a fool. Thanks!
No need to hit folks with specs they don't understand. Good you can lead the conversations now. Lots more to watch and learn about Barbara.
A
thank you so much for your series Sir. Really really enjoy and learn on everyone. Be Safe
Thank you for watching Kevin.
Alec
Most informative video on the topic I've seen. Thanks!
Thanks Webby. Alec
Sir, Thanks for all your videos. Really helpful. You are one of the people I would really like to dive with.
Sorry. My loving wife won't let me dive with anyone but her. Not really a hardship - she's beautiful and a VERY good diver.
But thanks for the thought.
Take care.
Alec
@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter
Don't worry, I live in a totally different continent!
Love your episodes.. so informative. Thank you so much! - A FAN :)
Youve just explained to me why my first shore dive was so awful. I had a stab type bcd which was smaller than the one I had used in the pool, so it had all the buoyancy further back, it had weight pockets rather than the belt i was used to, so all the weight was further forward...the salt water gave me extra buoyancy etc etc I floundered around feeling both stupid and frustrated... Must get my own BCD and I trust your advice and guidance - Thank you so much!
Dude, you are awesome teacher!
Thanks! 😃
A.
"if you want to take the tank with you, great idea"...😂😂😂😂
It's funny but sometimes has to be said for some divers.
I want Kevin to say “Shut up Mr. Lahey!” But in all seriousness, I love these videos and am responsible for at least 20 views for each one! They have compounded my enjoyment of diving. Thank you!!
Glad you like and are learning something new from them Ruiel.
Hi new diver here starting off in freshwater lakes would just like to say I love your videos their very informative and interesting to watch!
Freshwater lakes are the best place to learn to dive. Cold water, low visibility, currents, dark bottoms, buoyancy problems, boat traffic, etc, etc. If you enjoy diving there and gain experience, you will become an excellent diver.
Good luck Willis.
Alec
stumbled upon this video in such a timely manner! thanks for the detailed explanation! now i know what to expect when i get the wing typed BC!
Thanks for watching. Alec
Perfect video. Very clear and informative
Thanks for watching.
A
Great video as always.That happened to me when i Changed my reg to a heavier one with a brass and glass spg and added stainless spring straps to my fins. The first dive i did i was bouncing all over the bottom. Had to take almost 4 pounds off the ballast weights!!!
thanx a lot alec! my husband will try your tips next friday in the pool
Have fun!
A.
Thanks for the class!
This video is just extremely perfect
Glad you like it. Lots more to watch and pick up tips.
Hi Alec Easy to follow Vid. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Great video! at 10:40 the comment about sealed bags! I used to work at a shop that had 300 lb of unsealed bags, toxic lead dust everywhere around the baskets where the 3 4 and 5 lb bags were kept. Always bothered me seeing that dust around. at 8:25 the weight belt comment LOL, right on Alec. Cringed a little at the inflate button comment at 6:07. We teach that it is not an elevator button! Vent air going up, be slightly negative or neutral, in case there is a man o' war or boat or another diver above you. debating switching from my workhorse sherwood avid jacket to a Mares hybrid. This helped. thank you Alec.
Thanks for watching Jim and for your input.
Alec
once again!!! excellent info
Once again!! Thanks Sas.
Alec
I honestly want to just say thank you very much for all your videos this video by far was one of the deciding factors , if I was going to get this Zeagle Scout! I have always used a jacket style BC and I’m going to give the scout a go thanks to the Tips on this video for a back inflate bc.
I'm sure you'll be happy.
Take care.
Alec
Thank you the Video was very entertaining and informative lots of good content
Glad it was helpful!
I feel like I’m in kindergarten class with Alec. LOL. It’s ok though, he’s very informative, and seems like a great guy. Great info Alec.
This is new stuff to many divers. If you already know or understand what I'm trying to say, please be patient.
If new divers get some good diving ideas, we all benefit.
Take care Wally.
Alec
I think that’s what I said, I agree with you. And I’m a long way from knowing it all. Thx Alec.
Good video Alec, thanks for bringing me up to-date,I'm old school from the days of the ABLJ and a separate weight belt and a wet suit....
Ahh! The 'Good 'Ol Days. Actually they weren't all that good but it was fun.
For the uninitiated, suiting up went like this: 1. put on your 2 piece wet suit with Hi-pants, Beavertail and zipper wrists and ankles; 2. assemble your tank and regulator (no BCD); 3. put on your Horsecollar BC with waist and crotch strap (ouch!); get into your tank harness (sometimes with it's own crotch strap!) and pull the shoulders tight; 4. hike the weightbelt up under the tank and buckle it up in front. Ready to dive!
Today it's assemble the tank, reg and WI BCD, put it on and dive.
I remember it well - and the suits felt as if they were made of armour and were as stiff as all sin.
Very informative and very entertaining.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great video Alec and I do appreciate the humor! I do prefer the wing type bcd for the same reasons.
It's just the way I am.
I'm not here for a long time (no one is) so I'm determined to enjoy myself.
Thanks for watching. Alec
+Alec Peirce Scuba Yes your humor is a real treat for the dive community. Glad you're making the most of it! I'll definitely share this channel with my friends and check out the rest of your videos.
Hi Alec, great video as usual =)
I use a Back-inflated BCD with 8lbs all in the Integrated Weight System in tropical water.
Normally at the surface, I would lean back to stop tipping forward.
Performing safety stops in flat position.
I really enjoy the flat position the BCD provides underwater and dont mind the tipping forward while at the surface.
Gonna try the non-dumpable weight pocket in my next dive.
Thanks for the tips.
Cheers.
Do so for sure Rowan. You should float face up at the surface. Suppose you were unconscious? It works. It just takes parctice to get it right. Alec
Hi Alec, I suppose trying them on in a store helps in choosing what's best for each individual. Every decision in life has a cost. Now i know a bit more re: BCD's. Alec, your vast knowledge is priceless. Hang Tuff
Thanks for your support Mark.
Take care.
Alec
Excellent video. Thanks!
Glad you liked it!
A
THIS IS GREAT! Can't stop watching, it's informative, funny and really interesting! Thumbs up!
And NO ads, even better!
Hi Alec, thanks for your great videos! I learn so much from them. I have seen a couple divers with different set-ups to what I dive with, and I was hoping you could do some videos on side mount diving and re-breather diving? Thanks. Looking forward to more great videos!
I have used both and they are excellent for their designed purpose.
They are NOT suitable for normal recreational diving. Look carefully at their purpose.
Don't be sold by "they work better all the time"-type statements without questioning it.
Alec
@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter thanks for the response!
I love the freedom of movement with a wing and would never go back to a stab jacket. I don't use any extra weight but I do use a 12L steel tank plus 3L pony. This setup floats me perfectly however I want to orient myself, however I can't use my 10.4L aluminium cylinder due to the different bouyancy characteristics.
Nice to hear from an experienced diver who know what works for himself and not what marketing or others expect. Safe diving my friend.
Thanks for the video Alec. My favorite line in this one... "kick like the devil" lol. I've got the wing style (back inflate), and have been sinching the chest strap too tight. Didn't realize that it was just to keep the shoulder straps on my shoulders. Little things like this are just one of the reasons i love your vids. I'll have to save my $$ for the weight pouches, i thought i was getting a good deal on 2 x 11 pound lead weights. It's hard to adjust them. With smaller weight pouches i could distribute them more evenly from the front to the back (trim). Anyways, thanks for the video !!
Thank you (again) Brad for your thoughtful and kind comments. If mistakes I've made and tips I've learned help just one diver, I'm happy. Re the chest strap, too many stores just sell the item but don't explain (or don't know!) hwo to use the various components. They leave it up to the diver to find out on his own - not smart! Alec
This guy is awesome!!
I agree LOL.
Thanks for watching Action.
Alec
this is great! you're great. thank you.
great video. thanks for sharing
Good info. Thanks for the comparison; this will help me select a new BC. I think I am leaning toward the wing type; probably an Apeks Black Ice or a Zeagle Ranger.
My dive buddy told me the same thing about how my back inflate would force my face down during our surface swim out to the dive site. I filled it up, leaned back and finned out to sea like nobody's business.
It's all a matter of weight placement and judicial us of air. Any BC filled to the max is going to a problem.
Glad it's working for you. Alec
Hey Alec, when are you going to get some qualifications. Ha ha. Thanks for the great informative video. I too am an old timer diver. Learned on double hose, single stage regulator in the early sixties. Am a PADI instructor, (retired), but unlike you have not kept up with the newer equipment. thanks for the education! I have been wondering about this style of BCD. Now I actually know a little bit about them! Thanks again. Will try one sometime.
Thanks ol'-timer.
They do make diving a lot easier. Maybe safer too LOL.
Alec
no bs fast and clear thank you for sharing your expertise keep up with the jokes :D
Thanks Cem.
It's just my way of talking. Trying to have some fun in the late part of my life.
Thanks for watching.
Alec
Great, useful info.!!
Glad you liked it.
A
great video
that oceanic wing BC looks very nice. I use a jacket but will probably switch soon, the wing style looks much more "pro". Thanks Alex, - Will
Welcome ND.
Congratulations Alec for your channel and many thanks for your precious tips. I would like to suggest a video on BCD's lift capacity. Differences between capacity, how to properly evaluate your needs and how to choose the right one for you. I made myself this questions and it seems there are more people - specially when deciding to buy their first bcd - that wonder about those questions too. What do you think?
I think your brilliant ,,Thanks for the tips
You are very welcome.
A
Love your vids Alec after many years of Buddy commando going to change to the Black ice its on order hopefully arriving this week will let you know how it goes.
Yes please. I'm not familiar with it but I love the name.
Alec
Good to see Norm Mcdonald again ;)
You're welcome. A funny Canadian, greatly missed.
A
Great video...thanks...weights are one thing but placement is critical depending on gear...found out the hard way:)
Yep! Me too.
I had the right amount but in the wrong place and got stuck on the bottom on my back.
Take care.
Alec
Weight distribution is always important :)
With my backplate/harnass I notice a difference between 3 or 4 kg. And wether it's placed as a v-weight in between my tanks, or as a tail-weight with 1kg BEHIND my tanks.
Proper weighting is always important. Also since it will affect the ease in wich you'll be able to trim and hover.
Alec great video as usual. About the weight distribution perhaps you can make a video about that. Until about a year ago, needed to dive with 14kg of weight and with a dry suite even 16kg. Most of that located around my waist resulting in back problems and some poor trim. Then I purchased a back plated wing with a heavy steel backplate. I could remove 4 kg of weight as result of less volume. Still wasn't happy so purchased a 20kg heavy steel 300bar tank instead of a light one. Now I dive with just 2 kg of additional weight in a dry suite with perfect horizontal trim.
We just completed an episode on the benefits of a backplate.
Watch for it.
Alec
A couple of points. For the typical recreational diver, the BCD should never be inflated until your head breaks the surface of the water. For obvious safety reasons, the BCD should never be used to ascend. The second problem with the wing system is a sizable percentage of the weight you are carrying cannot be quickly dropped in an emergency. And dropping the front weights will not have the intended purpose of allowing the diver to safely ride higher in the water.
No argument here Bill. Good points.
Alec
Bill Schellerstrom " For the typical recreational diver, the BCD should never be inflated until your head breaks the surface of the water."
If I wear enough weight to be able to descend from the surface in my 7mm two-piece wetsuit, by the time I get to 30 feet and my suit is compressing I'll sink like a stone if I don't add some air. My head will never break the surface, because I'll be stuck on the bottom.
I own the Oceanic Biolite and after few dinvings, I can say it is perfect.. Super confortable & lightweigt . Plus bouyance never be better. I used to rent BCD and this one change my diving since I am more confortable. By the way I bought the "female" since I love the black / pink colors and I can say it fits exacttly to the blue one. Perfec for day to day BCD and travel
Good to know you found an excellent fit. I know several divers who love the Biolite's light weight just for travel. Safe diving my friend.
A
Alec, just found your videos and love them. :-) This series reminded me of the At-Pac which I used decades ago. The backpac portion was hollow and used shot to balance. It also had a plastic shell. Very cool and the best setup I saw at the time when I was diving. Now as then, weighting was so critical. Most of the BC's of the day then where bouee fenzy's or USD horsecollars. Love to hear your thoughts on those. Cheers to a phenomenal series. Also, though I was never certified by them, what the heck happened to NASDS? In Ontario they had a stranglehold on Scubapro for decades. Great series and thanks.
The At-Pac was way ahead of it's time. It was the first weight-integrated BCD and quite good although a bit of a bother to set up. We spent a lot of time getting the right amount of lead shot and then mixing it with marbles so it didn't move all around in the pack. I have a couple in my vintage stuff. NASDS, commonly called NASTY because their course was so militaristic, was bought by SSI. I think they wanted the list of names more than anything. Yes. NASDS had an arrangement with Scubapro. I don't know the details of the it but an NASDS store sold Scubapro only. Another reason why it finally failed.
Hello Alec. I am also an older diver, 68 years old. My first BC was the life-saver model. I loved scuba but hated dressing like an astronaut in our cold Canadian waters. In 1972 I bought the first integrated system I knew of. It is called an AT--PAK. The plastic backplate is hollow. I would put about 20 lb of buckshot in there. The bladder was a huge horseshoe shape. It was awkward at first but I loved the fact I had nothing in front of me. We used to throw the inflated gear overboard & put it on in the weather. This old classic is still in my old bag. I still have my original Jet fins as well. I thought of Kevin during your video. Do you have one in your collection? Ken
I did but have been selling off my collections (need the space). I remember when horse collars were standard and BCD's just showed up in magazines. Look in my Vintage Scuba series for old backpacks and diving systems. Should bring back memories.
Alec
13:14 just blew my mind!
Hi Alec, I really like to thank you for all your great Tech tips... may I ask you something? please make a techtip about backplate-Wings.
thank you Sir!!!
I would just like to point out for new/novice divers, you do NOT want to be inflating on ascent. To go up, fin, as you get shallower the gas in your BC will expand. As this happens you need to deflate your BC so you don't rocket to the surface and hurt yourself.
Are your weightings based off aluminium tanks Alec? I use 9-12 pounds with my 8mm wetsuit in Sydney. I find people are often taught to take too much weight, which can be dangerous.
You are quite right of course. Assuming you are close to neutral at depth and don't need extra air to start an ascent, a few fin kicks or even taking a big breath and holding it for a few seconds ought to be enough to get an ascent started after which you will be dumping air as you rise.
The amount of weight needed is a personal thing Cody. Regardless of the tank used, each diver will need weight to suit his body. It's not possible to look at a diver, or even weigh a diver and say with any accuracy how much weight he'll need. You may come close, but that's not good enough.
Having said that, an aluminum tank (we call them aluminum here, not the more accurate aluminium) has a different buoyancy than a steel tank and that will affect your weight requirements. At 9-12 pounds using an 8mm suit I'm guessing you're using a high capacity steel tank. Particularly since you are probably in salt water. With an 80 aluminum tank and a 6.5mm wetsuit most divers here would be using 18-20 pounds even in freshwater.
There are so many factors that affect weight requirements including interestingly the diver's experience level and even gender that it's foolish to think you can guess what a diver will need.
Take care.
Alec
Thanks for responding, I think weighting is something so critical for a new diver to get right. It can improve safety and even more importantly it makes the dive so much more enjoyable!
Just a follow up, a majority of people here dive 12L 232 bar steel tanks. These have a buoyancy of -4.25kg (-9.4 lb) when full and -0.75kg (-1.7lb) when empty.
There are many things to consider as a Public Safety diver when choosing a BC. Many teams have a protocol of how quickly you can don it. This could put you at a disadvantage if you have a weight integrated system or any weight in the BC, for that matter. Also, many PSD teams prefer to have their safety tools in a triangle area (chest area) which is usually attached to D-rings or your strap when using a wing type BC. The disadvantage is that if you become incapacitated for any reason, your head tends to be forced back into the water. Also it becomes a bit more problematic to tow the injured diver. Just a few additional things to consider. I have had many discussions about this with various dive teams.
Estevan
Appreciate the feedback from a PSD pro Estevan. Hope this helps others in you field make a better selection.
A
Sorry to come so late, but I just discovered you. I certified circa 1970 NASDS. ScubaPro regulator and tank, Bailey suit with 1/4” Farmer John bottom and 1/4” jacket. One half inch of collapsable neoprene around my core. The “life jacket” was the buoyancy control device. I cast my own weights. People were not yet scared to death of lead then. I am one of those you say to be afraid of because I much prefer the weight belt. I sized the weight to make me neutral at about 15’ in fresh water at high altitude. The suit decreases in buoyancy as one descends and the cells in the neoprene are squeezed. Sure I had to fight to get down, but it was all easy after that. Maintaining neutral buoyancy was a simple matter of blowing a little air into, or letting a wee bit out. And this is my problem with the new fangled BCD’s: in order to vent air one must lift the hose above where the air is. Big pain sometimes. The “life jacket” simply needed the fill valve depressed. I have a wing style BCD because the “life jacket” gave up the ghost long ago. I would go back to the old way in a heartbeat.
Not really disagreeing with you, just adding a different view point.
Well welcome to another 'stone age diver'. Anyone who casts their own lead weights knows what DIY means. Thanks for watching Doug.
@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter lots of good stuff on your channel. Thanks. We cast our own weights so that we could use many small weights rather than a few heavy ones. More stable, or at least not so sensitive to small position changes.
That’s what she said
Soooo helpful
Good. I'm glad you liked it Nick.
Alec
Wings are also great for kayak diving, Light and easy to stow away.