When I dove in the '80s, I had a Sea Quest BC that I liked a lot. Now I’m getting recertified, and I used a rental BC on Wednesday (provided with the class, of course; not as an additional rental). I don’t recall the brand, but I noticed something I didn’t like about it.
My Sea Quest jacket allowed me to float face-up on the surface. The rental jacket pitched me forward at the surface, which required me to expend energy to keep my face out of the water. No problem floating face-down and breathing through a snorkel, but I’d prefer to not have to.
So: What new jacket-style BC will allow me to float face-up at the surface without expending any energy? I need an XL, so information regarding sizing between brands would be good too. In other words, what new BC would be the most similar to the Sea Quest I described (including new Sea Quest jackets)?
Also: I want to put together a set of vintage diving gear. (I’ve found a c.1973 USD UDS-1 for a start.) Does anyone have a yellow USD horsecollar BC in excellent condition?
I’ve been diving off and on for a couple of years, and am just back from a week
of diving in Cornwall. I’m a bit puzzled by this; every BCD I’ve used in that time
has been pretty neutral, willing to let you float on whatever side you like. If
anything, I’ve always found it easier on my back. Is it possible this was just
a screwy jacket/poor weight distribution?
Unfortunately, I’m primarily experienced with UK diving kit, so I’m not sure
how good my advice will be for stuff available in the US, but I really like the
Northern Diver Guardian BCD; I’ve been using it for a year now without
any problems with floating. I’m 6’3" and about 225, and I can perfectly happily
use a medium jacket, but XLs are available if you want them.
I know what you mean. Just from a safety standpoint, I would think that jackets would cause an unconscious diver to float face-up. Someone else in the class said she was floating face-down in her BC. I can see it would be useful for snorkeling. I’ve seen some “backpack” BCs, which look as if they would only allow a diver to float face-down; but obviously, I haven’t used one.
About the weights: I was definitely overweighted. I think they probably gave me enough weights for when I don a drysuit, which is too much when you’re just wearing trunks in a swimming pool. It didn’t bother me though.
I found a USD horsecollar BC on eBay, and e-mailed the seller (who says he knows nothing of such things) to ask if it holds air. Since he knew nothing about diving equipment, I helpfully told him he should push on the button at the end of the inflator so he could inflate it manually. He e-mailed back saying he pushed the button, but nothing happened. I e-mailed him back and told him I’m sorry I wasn’t clear. He had to push the button and manually inflate the BC with his mouth. He said: