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When a new diver or even an experienced diver is looking to purchase a new or their first BCD, there are quite a few considerations to take into account. Since most BCDs nowadays typically will last well over 10 years for the average recreational diver, some thought needs to go into the buying decision.
Let’s take a look at some of the different types of BCDs, their features and benefits, as well as their construction.
The range of BCDs on the market today certainly can make the buying decision difficult, but with some pre-planning and asking the right questions the process can go much more smoothly.
Frist, BCDs can be broken down into two major categories: back-inflation and jacket-style. Back inflation means just that; all the air cell or flotation is on the diver’s back, normally surrounding the tank. Some of the advantages of this type are that the diver has very good “trim”, meaning that once the diver is under water and in a swimming position, the diver is basically supported by the aircell. Other advantages of the back-inflation style include low profile harnesses for better streamlining, weight integration (the diver’s weights are carried inside special pockets on the BCD itself, so no need for a separate weight belt), and smaller physical size and weight, which translates to a BCD that’s great for the traveling diver.
Jacket style BCDs have been around since the early 1970s. This type literally fits like a jacket, with the air cell not only around the diver’s tank, but also in front of the diver as well. The advantages of the jacket style include weight integration in some models, built-in accessory pockets for lights, slates and such, and the ability to float higher out of the water at the surface.
Now for a look at BCD construction:
Most BCDs will fall into two construction classes: single bag and double bag. The single bag means that the air cell is built from two pieces of heavy duty material, which can be Cordura or coated nylon, and radio frequency welded together to form a watertight and airtight bladder. The double bag design has an outer sock or covering, with an inner bladder, usually made from polyethylene. The advantage of the single bag design is lower cost and in most cases lower drag, while the double bag design means that if the inner bladder gets punctured, it is easily replaced. The double bag design when punctured may or may not be repairable by the manufacturer.
Other materials used in the construction of BCDs include 1000 denier Cordura, an extremely durable material, 840 Cordura, 420 denier, and basic nylon.
All BCDs require some maintenance, which can include rinsing after salt water or pool use, along with annual servicing of the valves and inflator mechanism, especially if the BCD is used in salt water.
The last type of BCD that is becoming more popular with some divers is the hard backplate and “wing”. This type of buoyancy control device uses a stainless steel, aluminum or ABS plastic backplate, along with a webbing harness and a separate aircell called a “wing”. These types of systems have many advantages, not the least of which is abililty to change components, especially the wing, depending on the diving conditions. The wing can be exchanged for a smaller lift capacity when diving in warm tropical water with lightweight suits, or the wing can be exchanged for a larger lift unit that can support double cylinders for technical diving, all with the same backplate and harness. These systems are also very streamlined in the water, and are a popular choice for wreck divers as well as photographers.
When shopping for a BCD, be sure to try on all styles if possible at your local dive center. Also be sure to try the BCD on with a tank in the straps to see how the unit will feel with the added weight. Look at the general construction of the unit; does it look like it’s well made, with no loose threads or stitching that’s coming loose? If it’s weight integrated, how easily could you drop the weights in an emergency? Does the unit feel comfortable around your shoulders and chest? Remember, this is a major buying decision, and your local dive center is more than willing to help you pick out the right BCD for your next diving adventure.
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