BC advice needed

[Bungal]

New to scuba, and now want to purchase a BC. After shopping around for a week, a couple questions came up about the various options, so I'm querrying divers for their opinions/experiences:
1) Air 2 or Octo?
2) Back-inflate or jacket-style BC?

I am a recreational diver, like to take pictures/videos. I will probably be doing about 20 dives/year at least, in warm tropical/subtropical waters.

I know everyone says to go with what you prefer/is most comfortable. However, I've had experience only with Air 2 and jacket-style BCs. Most dive shops only have jacket BCs to rent.

thanks a bunch!

 

[Chris_C_NZ]

I've tried the jacket style and wing style. I ended up with a wing style. Zeagle is an AWESOME brand. I say this because as you inflate, you dont get squeezed like you do with the jacket style. You can generally have more lift and the options to change things are greater.

As for spare air, Octi is the way to go. If - god forbid - you need to use, or someone needs to use your spare, you want the comfort of being able to pass the octi, rather than you give up your reg, find your spare and both of you having to stress about clearing etc.

 

[johnnybuoy]

Wing type bc are better for decompressing as your horizontal and nitrogen bubbles tend not to go up to your brain. I dive with a Seaquest and find it great.
I use air2 also and my primary has a long hose so I can switch to the air2 and pass the primary. I also side sling a 7 Ali so no shortage of gas.
It's all about preference really.

 

[omega3]

Ive got a Zeagle too...it is around 20 years old and still going. Speedwing I think its called?
I saw some new BCs recently which had been "aged" . Although I like their gear and use it I thought the "ageing" a bit .... Mickey Mouse!
Baldyfish, that is a very odd belief you have about being horizontal. Hope you are joking!!! If not, it would suggest you have next to no knowledge, make that none whatsoever, of DCI.
Go on, who told you that...we want names rofl.
I see you are in Ireland...

 

[Bungal]

Good point, Chris, about the Octo:

[As for spare air, Octi is the way to go. If - god forbid - you need to use, or someone needs to use your spare, you want the comfort of being able to pass the octi, rather than you give up your reg, find your spare and both of you having to stress about clearing etc. /QUOTE]

Also, I just found out that some dive shops in Florida have wing type back inflate BCs to rent........so I'm going to try one out this weekend. I've heard some good things about Zeagle - but unfortunately none of my LDS carry this brand.

What about taking pictures/videos using a back inflate BC? Is it more "challenging" to orient yourself vertically if needed, to take a picture?

 

[Chris_C_NZ]

Go and play - and dont be put off that you cant find them locally. Zeagle are a big enough brand that you'd probably be able to buy direct from them. I use the Tech10 and whole-heartedly recommend it.

As for orientation, there may be some moments where you might find yourself floundering, but in general if can achieve neutral boyancy, you're laughing - no matter what type of bcd you use.

For me, its all about comfort. Being squeezed just aint fun.

 

[johnnybuoy]

Your right. I know nothing about deco diving. Great observation. It's a well known fact u stay horizontal on stops. Looks like u know very little mate. It keeps the gasses balanced in your body and there is no pressure differential due to u being horizontal. This is why tech divers are self sufficient, the likes of you coming along trying to teach falsely. Being horizontal IS better for off gassing but carry on as u are. I sure wouldn't like u as my buddy. I suppose somebody showing symptoms of type 1/2 dcs should stand up as opposed to lye down too ya?? Well done on your I'll informed rant but I know your wrong. Ask around before making assumptions.
Yes I am in Ireland. Great observation. Ain't u a bright one.

 

[omega3]

LOL , you might want to cover up that raw nerve. Sorry!

Rant ???

Seriously though, lets see the evidence. What you are trying to get across there I think is ideals and no I wouldnt steer anyone away from them. I think you will struggle with that one past any theory in set controlled scientific conditions and statements from various bodies based on that criteria. But as to "Nitrogen bubbles tend not to go up to the brain" That is just way off the marker and most likely based on the first branch on the arch of the Aorta. With a bubble in solution that large that it could exert that type of force to to make the corotid artery by those means I would think that the person would be well and truly toast. I do understand why there is this reasoning.
Of course I may be completely wrong, I will ask them at the NHC when I next do tests with them. The last time we tested a certain companies 40m tables due to a high incidence rate with saturated arms measured by Dopler and ultrasound and a bend (level 4 on a five scale, 5 being "white out" )was put down to a cup of tea or coffee..... maybe??? This is a real minefield area. As to where it forms and how... Haldane (many principals/theories)
To take it further then Haldane and bubble formation from gases in solution is the way to go but that would be bubble formation in the brain and not "up to the brain" as a bubble cannot form unless....

Theory /principals

There is no such thing as "gases balanced in the body" with varying speeds in gas uptake by different tissue type and work done.


Type 1/2 and DCS were done away with over 15 years ago and is all under DCI. Thats how we roll now.

well gotta go. Let me know how you get on with that I might learn something and its good to talk about!

If being horizontal on a stop stops just one bend wherever...carry on, great!

If however folk insist on treading a line that fine



I like the Poseidon BCs too!
Thats what my next one will be.

 

[johnnybuoy]

Hence, the smiley face.....Just dumbing it down as I have seen no other tech divers on here.
I'm only stating what is taught and practiced in all areas of tech diving. If u were a tech diver I'm sure u would know too.
I'm not for one second saying it would stop the onset of dci, as we all know dehydration, fatigue ect can cause it.
If there were any ways of decreasing the chances of dci I am there! Every tech diver I know (in Ireland or outside) uses a wing and does all mandatory stops horizontally for this reason.
Looks like we have to agree to disagree on this one.
My point was that it's one less way of many to get dci on deco dives, and one less is safer no matter what scientific evidence u throw around.
So for Rec diving use a bc. Never seen any tech divers using them but as I said it's all preference and my reasons are clear above.
Obviously lift is a factor with any bc. Are u using stage bottles? Carrying tools? Going deep?

 

[omega3]

Nah, I`m not going to agree to disagree with you. I am going to dissagree and agree with you! Same hymn sheet by the sound of it! LOL

Dunno, was offered a dive to 360 meters about 11 years ago...thats deep!
There is one on offer to 260m at the mo, but I am older and wiser I hope and fear for my medical.
Used to do a fair bit of SurDo2 and its still around.

Later

 

[johnnybuoy]

360????wasn't the deepest oc dive 330 by nuno Gomez? Y u diving that deep? Pleasure or work? Hardly on oc trimix!!!!

 

[BilgeRat]

I've used both. I like the jacket style for just cruising around, but the back inflate for lobstering and wreck diving. If you are gonna carry extra stuff and explore in and out of reefs, I would use a back infalte. I have an old DUI and love it. They dont make those anymore.

 

[Bungal]

Thanks folks! I did find a dive shop that lets you try equipment before using it........so, I tried the Aqualung Libra, Zuma and Pearl............ended up with the Pearl, which is a "hybrid" (combo back-inflate/jacekt), and it was the most comfy BC of all!

 

[BilgeRat]

Thanks folks! I did find a dive shop that lets you try equipment before using it........so, I tried the Aqualung Libra, Zuma and Pearl............ended up with the Pearl, which is a "hybrid" (combo back-inflate/jacekt), and it was the most comfy BC of all!

Wow brother! The best of both worlds. Right on! If you are ever in the San Diego area, look me up and we can go diving. Not the best vis but lots of fun!!!!!

 

[omega3]

great!! you did it the right way!

 

[Atlantis Fire]

I use a DiveRite Transplate wing-style BCD and love it to death. I find I can even swim complete corkscrews with no trouble. I would never ever go back to a jacket-style BCD. My LDS gear guy is obsessed with jacket BCDs and hates the wing-styles but I would always recommend backplate and wing. But make sure you check which brands are serviced by your LDS before buying anything. It would be a big hassle to have to drive 50 miles just to get your BCD inspected.

As for the octo, after much deliberation, I decided a traditional octopus rig is easier to manage than an integrated octo. I have used both setups and both work fine, but I find it a bit annoying to let air out when breathing through the integrated octo. A separate hose just makes things easier in my opinion.

 

[BilgeRat]

Nice choice on the back plate and wing. You can also monkey dive by removing the wing and figuring out your buoyancy and add weights to the point where you can dive or go up depending on type of tank you use and the choice of octo is a good one too. Keep it simple. I do the same. When I first tried my DUI Wing I complained until I reconfigured the weight pockets and added tank pockets and practiced until I can come in on shore dives hovering inches above the sand until I have to stand up in three feet of water to exit. Jacket style is ok too if ya like it.

 

[Marcio]

hello to everybody; I'm a new diver and also new on this forum.
I'm looking for my first Bc, what suggestions do you have
thanks!