Our Bcd page
will explain the purposes of the also know as diving
jacket, tips when you are buying yours
and how to maintained. Also we will show
you the different models
and new designs
to help you choose yours.
The BCD serves four purposes:
- It acts as
a backpack and holds the cylinder in position.
- It
allows the diver to
rest or swim comfortably at the surface with the help of a Mask and a Snorkel.
- Underwater, it allows divers to
compensate for changes in buoyancy.
- And
with pockets and
utility rings, it
allows divers to attach and store accessories,
keeping their hands free.
When Buying a BCD
TIP
#1: Simple
and straight forward - it
must fit you and be comfortable. At the store, when you are trying on
the diving
jacket, use a
tank, add some air inside so that you know how it
behaves at the surface. And remember that underwater,
you won't feel the tank's weight.
TIP #2: Inspect all seams
and the quality of construction.
TIP #3: Familiarize yourself
with your diving
jacket at the surface: know the location of all pockets, utility
rings
and
buckles. It will help you a lot when you will use it for the first time.
Make
it a habit to always perform a check on all your equipment before a dive. |
BCD's Maintenance
After diving, clean all your equipment
in fresh water as it will help to remove all the salt, dirt, and
sediments - especially sand. As for your diving jacket either submerge it in
or rinse the insides with fresh water, then let it drain. Remember, never
to dry your equipment in direct sunlight.
If there is a problem with your diving jacket
most of the time it is the sand particles which were not rinsed out
properly the first time around. Rinsing it more thoroughly with fresh
water should fix it. However, if the
problem continues, please take your equipment to a professional at your
local
dive store for a closer inspection.
Time
To Choose One
 |
Jacket
Style BCD. Inexpensive and simple. |
 |
Back
Mounted. Does not cover up the body as much as other styles,
popular with underwater photographers, cave divers and in
really
deep dives - where more than one tank is required.
|
 |
Advanced
Design. It places most of the buoyancy underneath diver's
shoulders, design allows to handle well on the surface and underwater. |
 |
Integrated
Weight. It is becoming popular these days, just be careful
at the
surface with the extra weight. |