There are a wide range of choices that makes buying a BCD a challenge, especially for novice scuba divers, but when you put some information into consideration, such as, the place of diving and how you dive, you can pin down what you need in your BCD. 

In this article, we will tell you some things  to consider to be able to choose the right BCD for you.

Tips on How to Choose the Right BCD

In this article, we will help you choose the right BCD by covering the next point: 

• BCD Style.
• Buoyant Lift.
• Features.
• Traveling.

BCD Style 

The back-inflation BCDs commonly have less restrictive harnesses and usually pack up a bit smaller than jacket BCs. The jacket BCs will provide you with a more stable surface floating position and have cargo pockets but have blurring lines. Now, you can find back-inflation models having big cargo pockets and easily packed compact jackets. 

There are also hybrids with harness and air cells that you can find between jacket and back-inflation in addition to back wing/plate models that can range from travel rigs or stripped-down tec to models having full features with integrated weights and cargo pockets. 

So it will be helpful to focus less on the style categories of the BC and concentrate more on the specific capabilities and qualities that are more important to you.

Buoyant Lift 

Buoyant lift is the amount of weight that the BC will support when you fully inflate it. It will vary with every size and you will find that printed on the BC. The right amount of lift depends on different factors, such as, dive conditions, the size and shape of the scuba diver and exposure scuba diving equipment. 

Whether you are wearing a drysuit with 30 bounds of lead or in the tropics with only 4 pounds,The important point is the amount of lift needed for your BCD to support you. 

On the other hand, if you are diving in warm water with little weight, a BC with 50 pounds of lift will be an extra drag.

Features 

The integrated weights, a cummerbund or cargo pockets, having a clear idea of what you want or don’t want in your BCD will help you narrow the choices’ list and choose the right BCD for you. 

If you are scuba diving in different conditions you can choose the models which you can easily add or remove any component from it, such as, integrated weight pockets to make your BC suitable for traveling.

Traveling 

If you usually travel to your dive sites, a travel BC will be suitable for you. There are many compact, lightweight models that have a full range of accessories including minimalist modular designs.