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Back Inflated vs Jacket Style BCs: From DocV's "Ask RSD" column of Rodale's Scuba Diving. Back inflated BCs contain air bladders or cells toward the back, rather than toward the front of the torso as in jacket style BCs. This design is more common in high end, technical diving BCs rather than in the generally less sturdy, lighter weight, simpler and less expensive jacket style BCs favored by many warm water recreational divers. However, several manufactures do offer back inflated "sport" models. As with all dive gear, you should purchase that BC which fits your diving situation, safety and comfort needs, and budget. Compared to jacket style, back inflated BCs: Pros: (1) A very big advantage is they float the diver in a more hydrodynamic position underwater; horizontal with head just slightly higher than feet; (2) Can offer far greater lift capacity, a decided plus for divers who wear lots of weight to submerge, or use large, multiple or heavy cylinders; (3) Many have interchangeable air cells so that you can alter lift capacity to meet changing dive situations; (4) Eliminate the chest squeeze which some find uncomfortable and which can contribute to diver panic; (5) Clear the chest area allowing freer movement and easier access to gear; (6) More often offer a weight integration option with its attendant advantages; and (7) Tend to better fit larger physiques and those of unusual proportion. Cons: (1) Tend to force the face into the water when floating on the surface; (2) Tend to be heavier and have hard pack cylinder mounting plates, making carrying and packing more difficult; (3) Can be a little more difficult to vent; (4) Absence of appreciable chest squeeze can make achieving neutral buoyancy a little more difficult, especially initially; and (4) Can cost from somewhat less to a very great deal more. Of the cons, having one's head pushed toward the water while on surface understandably causes distress to divers, especially those who have not had experience with back inflated BCs. There are a number of ways of dealing with this, possibly the simplest being not over-inflating the BC and flipping over and swimming on one's back when on the surface. This has the additional advantage of providing a better field of view and placing the fins in a more effective kicking position. One can also add weights to the rear pockets, cylinder, ankles or other offsetting locations, or make certain adjustments to the ride of the BC, to compensate for this forward push. Among high quality back inflated BCs are the DiveRite Transpac, Halcyon, Zeagle Ranger/Tech/Concept, Sea Quest Balance, Oceanic Chute, Aqua Lung Alcyone, Scubapro SeaHawk/Falcon and OMS models. The BC is a very important
piece of gear, and a good one is a substantial investment. After carefully
determining your needs and desires, you should research available models
to see which best fit your situation, and then actually try out as many
as possible. © Doc Vikingo Back
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