Buoyancy Control Device (BCD) for Scuba Divers: If you don't have the right one you can spend your dives constantly fighting your BCD. You want to float and it's dragging you down, you want to dive and it's keeping you up. For the most part, this is fixed by actually knowing how to use your BCD properly. But choosing the right BCD for your diving, needs and diving ability, make learning how to use it a lot easier.
There five basic types of Scuba Buoyancy Compensators.
Only the first four of these are really used in scuba diving today.
We prefer back/rear inflation and wing style BCDs. Experienced divers have learned the rear inflation bladder BCDs are better than a wrap-around bladder jacket/vest BCDs. Rear wings offer very precise control of buoyancy and trim as well as offering a more streamlined profile. A properly fitting back/rear inflation BCD, worn with a crotch strap, will allow you to assume and hold any position under the water, or on the surface.
Buoyancy compensators can have a ton of features, or very few. Options are almost limitless.
The more features it has usually the more expensive it is. But what do you need, and what is just fluff is what you have to think about.
Scuba BCDs are expensive. Practicing good post-dive care and general maintenance will give your equipment a long life and save you from having to spend money on a new one.
There is a lot to consider before buying a BCD.
On the surface a scuba BCD should fit like a snug jacket. Not too tight under the arms, or across the torso. Women should choose a model designed for them.
But like everything else when it comes to diving, it's about more than just fit and style
You need to consider what type of diving you are doing, and what gear you'll need to carry with you to do it. A BCD is not just an airbag. A good one is like Batman's utility belt.
Consider what features are essential to you, and find the one that most closely fits that profile.
Start reading reviews and manufacturers materials, read forums and ask other divers for their opinions. Or just call and ask us.
Be honest with yourself about the type of diving you'll be doing. Make a checklist of everything you need in a scuba BCD,do your homework, and you should end up with the right scuba BCD for you.
For more information about BCD features please read our advice on choosing the right BCD for you in our Trusted Advice section.
If you intend to go diving, snorkelling or boating in the Southern Ocean on Victoria's west coast you must be appropriately trained and qualified. Always analyse the weather forecasts and make your own mind up about what you consider to be safe conditions.
Note: The Victorian coastline to the west of Cape Otway faces into the Southern Ocean.
We recommend you don't go diving in the Southern Ocean if any of the following conditions are likely to occur within a 24 hour period:
For the lastest forecast from the Bureau of Meteorology, see West Victoria Coastal Waters Forecast: SA-Vic Border to Cape Otway.
At some shore dive sites on the Victorian coast even the above conditions could be too extreme. Weak or average swimmers should not consider diving at most Southern Ocean shore dive sites. Keep a watch out for swells and bad weather coming in. At some shore dive sites this may require surfacing periodically throughout your dive. When doing a shore dive in the Southern Ocean you are diving on the Great Southern Reef.
Scuba diving is an inherently dangerous activity and appropriate training and experience in scuba equipment, decompression diving, deep diving, mixed gas diving and wreck penetration diving are all mandatory skills for safely diving the shipwrecks of the Southern Ocean.
If you are not experienced with diving in the Southern Ocean, make sure you go with an experienced local dive guide or dive buddy who can read the conditions and advise you accordingly. Most of all, stay safe and enjoy your Southern Ocean diving.
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