BCDs

Find the Right BCD for You

BCD stands for Buoyancy Compensating Device.  This is a device designed to compensate against buoyancy underwater.  The majority of BCDs have a jacket style design which spreads the weight you need to wear over your shoulders, back and waist.  This can be much more comfortable than the more traditional weight belt which involves carrying your weight around your waist only.  This can cause rubbing and even bruising around your stomach and hips particularly if you frequently do long dives.

Another benefit of BCDs over weight belts is that they provide additional padding across your back for your air tanks.  These can be heavy to carry and if you suffer from a bad neck or back the extra padding and distribution of weight can be much more comfortable.  However in some circumstances you may need to opt for a weights belt as well if you need additional weight.

Here are a few tips for choosing and using BCDs:

-Sizing – it is important that you have the right size BCD.  If you are buying online then you need to check measurements very carefully before you buy.  If your BCD is too tight it will feel very uncomfortable after a while and if it is too loose it can move around whilst you are diving.  Typically BCDs are sold in chest sizes.  You need to add a couple of inches to this to allow you to breathe easily (this will also account for your wetsuit).  So for example if you have a 38inch chest then you will need a 40inch BCD.   BCDs are also available in S, L XL and XXL sizes so make sure you check the manufacturers sizing charts for the measurements.

-Types of BCDs – there are two main styles of BCDs available - jackets or wings.  The jacket style is the most common option and has good overall buoyancy and comfort.  The wing style offers inflation at the rear of the BCD which keeps your front section free.  This is useful for performance diving and the wing style is also more lightweight and easier to transport and store.

-Adjusting BCDS – you can adjust buoyancy by adding or removing air from your BCD.  There are also integrated pockets in the BCD into which you can add weights.  You can adjust the air quickly using the inflation and deflation mechanisms.  These can vary across the different BCDs but one of the most common options is the ‘air trim’.  This has two large buttons which you can use to inflate and deflate the BCD easily.  All BCDs should have a dump valve.  This is an emergency device which allows you to adjust your BCD quickly in an emergency situation.