Maximise Your Experience With The BCD
The difference between an excellent dive and a nightmare might just lie in how good the buoyancy compensator is. This is perhaps your second most important piece of equipment, following your regulator.
A BCD is one piece of equipment that makes for your convenience when in water. It gives you control and allows you to float comfortably. Sometimes you want to stand or kneel while underwater. Other times, you may want to drift along the waterside while observing the beautiful scenery. A fitting BCD with a proper weight integration allows you to do all this efficiently.
The device helps to make certain adjustments to your buoyancy by carrying weight. More than other equipment, good buoyancy compensators ensure that you get the best diving experience.
It may seem as though all buoyancy compensators are the same, but they aren’t. Different buoyancy control devices are useful for different situations.
Buoyancy Compensator Features
There are various features about different buoyancy compensator. These features determine how the best buoyancy compensators and what purpose they work for best.
Weight Integration
The essence of a weight integrated buoyancy compensator is so that the need for a weight belt can be eliminated. With this compensator, weight goes directly into the BCD, making diving possible without considering weight belts.
Weight integration is a feature. Anyone looking to get a BCD should consider it. It allows for a swift and effective means to drop weight in the case of an emergency. For many BCDs with this feature, you can drop weight through the pull of a zip cord. This goes a long way in saving your life in a time of emergency.
Air Dumps
One great feature of BCD is the air dump feature. It allows you to dump your air conveniently without having to inconvenience yourself. In the process of getting ready to dive, air can be trapped in the oddest places, which may not only make you uncomfortable but also damage your buoyancy. Often, it is a turn off if you have to shift from one position to the other to dump air.
As a result, BCD manufacturers place air dumps at the bottom of this piece of equipment. With this, you can dump air without having to put yourself in inconvenient positions.
Beyond this, BCD also comes with different bladder types, which are suitable for different types of diving. For instance, while a black mouthed bladder works effectively for overhead environment diving, it may not be a perfect fit for other forms of diving. The BCD’s tend to tilt you to get into a horizontal position, which is where most divers want to be.
The vest bladder is also another form of BCD, which wraps up the body completely. The good thing about this BCD is that it allows air to move anywhere. It is perfect for open water diving when you’re exploring massively.
How To Choose The Best BCD
When you are choosing your BCD, consider the size, because it is necessary to get a fitting BCD. This doesn’t mean you should negate style.
Also, in the process of trying out, tighten the BCD and loosen it, try out the clips, play with the inflators. Try out all the features it has. Also, ensure the inflator hose fits your regulator setup.