Which BC / Stab Jacket?

[Nikki]

I'm relatively new to diving having just qualified as BSAC Ocean Diver last Saturday. We went to Lanzarote to do our 5 open water dives (didn't fancy UK waters just yet).

I never considered buying anything more than the usual hobby kit (suit, fins, boots, mask) but having used a really old, rather unfitting BC while away, i've now decided to look into buying one.

One of the girls who went, had a Diva LX (for women) which I rather liked but was wondering if there are any other ladies BC's on the market. My budget can go up to about £350 (hope thats enough).

Any ideas?

[Buoyant Babe]

My DIVA LX is for sale here (http://www.bsacforum.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=4331).

If you are interested PM me and I can direct you to some testimonials on another forum from other girls who dive using the same jacket.

Helen xxx

[Nikki]

Thanks for your reply. The BC I had in Lanzarote was a Medium so thing your small may not fit. Thanks anyway.

[Chris Cherrington]

....

One of the girls who went, had a Diva LX (for women) which I rather liked but was wondering if there are any other ladies BC's on the market. My budget can go up to about £350 (hope thats enough).

Any ideas?


Women's specific BCs are a triumph of marketing over reality. Go to a good dive shop with plenty of different makes/sizes and find what fits you well. It is almost certain it will be a regular one and not a woman's one. Anything over 350 quid is way way overpriced IMO.

Some women (my missus for one) also prefer a wing. Have a look at the Transpac or one of the many single tank wings available. The Agir-Brokk is nice and not too expensive (less than the 350 you mention). This type of BC leaves the chest area clear.

Stay away from anything that is gimmicky (like the dreadful Mares HUB) and you will not go far wrong, the BCD is not a complex item and there is little real difference between the various makes and models. They are also an item that is well worth looking at secondhand since many divers are far too interested in the colour or having the "latest" (read gimmick-laden) model and a lot of the secondhand ones have years more wear in them. I have a 20 year old Aqua-Lung stab that is still giving good service, I guess you'd pick something like that up on ebay for about 40 quid.........

Chris

[GeoffB]

Hi,

Have a look on ebay, some real bargains on there at present..the diva XLT are going for about 200 quid...


Good luck anyway

Geoff

[Jon H]

i bought a seacsub pro (cant rember which) but thats fine ur best not buying in britain cos they cost a fortuin if u import the price goes down

[Roz]

Women's specific BCs are a triumph of marketing over reality. Go to a good dive shop with plenty of different makes/sizes and find what fits you well.

I would have to disagree on his first statement, but his suggestion of trying on a number of different BCs is a good one. A female BC is an excellent idea if you are a certain shape or size. They tend to have shorter backs, some are high cut for the hips and they are built to accommodate the more ample shaped female diver, or the very petite diver. (So I've seen a couple of lads diving Diva LX's and loving them).

As I've not got a huge bust, I dive pretty much any jacket. I've dived both a Seaquest Pro QD and a Diva LX and they are lovely jackets. Seac Sub do a female jacket and I know one very petite diver who loves hers. From memory Scubapro also do one (The Glidestar)???

If you have a big bust have a look at a female BC. If not, try on as many as you can get your hands on. As Chris said, wings are also an option because a harness can accommodate the female shape quite well.

Go and have a long talk with your local dive shop. They should give you sensible advice. Whilst you could get a deal on Ebay, it's always worth supporting your LDS, as you can't buy air over the internet.

[Alison Boler]

Yeah, Nikki, clearly Chris is diving without the benefit of his own built in life preservers like a lot of us girls have to contend with!! :) Try putting a couple of balloons down your drysuit Chris, strap on the bcd and then talk about marketing hype!!
Seriously, both my daughter dive with Divas and absolutely swear by them - they are very comfortable in the water and quite adaptable. Not entirely sure they would provide you with enough lift if you decided to take up heavy duty UK diving anytime soon, but for regular sports diving, they're great and they pack pretty flat for travelling too.
I personally prefer a wings style because I not only have two high up lumps to deal with but a generously proportioned - some would say goddess like tummy too! I prefer the wings style because it means that my whole chest and torso area is unencumbered other than the straps and its just so streamlined in the water. It would take a lot to get me back in a regular bcd now. I have a Seaquest wings bcd (Libra) which they don't make anymore. The nearest they have now is a Balance which is remarkably similar. It is fantastic for travelling, packs absolutely flat and a joy to wear in the water. Have always liked Seaquest jackets, they are very well made.
If you think that you might get into diving with twinsets, deeper UK style diving, then a Transpac or something like that would be a good choice.
I would go along to a large dive retailer and try a couple out - if you pick one with a pool, they will generally let you take them in for a trial. Wear it over your dive suit obviously.

All the best

Allie