OK, so this probably does not belong in "New Diver Q&A" for several reasons, but since all the other "... or not" threads are here:
Thoughts on using your drysuit as your primary BCD.
I have been doing this pretty consistently this year, having discovered that being perfectly weighted as I am in my configurations (vintage single tank with DH reg, LP72 doubles, or LP steel side mount), my drysuit has plenty of lift and I never put any air in the BCD (horse collar, wing, or dromedary bag, respectively). So I have started diving without these extra BC devices. I am more streamlined and need less inflator hoses running out of the regs. The lift gets more evenly distributed along my entire body, and so I am in better trim than with any style BCD.
Yes, this is not a question directed at new divers - most of whom will be massively overweighted at the direction of their misguided OW instructors. But for those of you who have figured out the right weighting for you, do you find you don’t really use the BCD that much and can use your dry suit and your lung volume to easily control your bouyancy? Would you consider leaving your BCD on shore in your current config?
BTW, I think all these "... or not" topics should be under surveys rather than new diver Q&A. That forum seems to be dying off as people are putting all their survey questions into other forums. |