need advise on BC for Jr OW diver

[SHAGGY]

My 13 year old son starts his BOW school in a couple of weeks and I intended for him to use an extra BCD that I have, a Riptide Zone, but when I had him try it on today it fit him fine in the waist and chest area with extra adjustments left, but for it to fit him good in the shoulders he has to cinch them all the way down, with no extra adjustment left. My question is this: Since he is still growing, shouldn't the Riptide be fine for him,.. especially considering the fact that he will be growing some more or should I get him a BCD thats one size smaller that will give him extra adjustment in the shoulders? I know this may seem like somewhat an elementary question, but I do know normally, if he wasnt gonna be growing anymore that I would buy one size smaller,... Just looking for opinions,.......


shaggy

[FishFood]

Probably be best to see how the BC does in the confined water dives before laying down any money for a new one.

Also, If it is a little loose, a crotch strap may help since it's the shoulder area that's loose.

[SHAGGY]

Yeah thats true,.......... well,... it snugs up pretty good even in the shoulders,.... I was just concerned since it takes a lil more effort on his part to cinch down the shoulders good since they are pretty long with how far he has to cinch them down. I just didnt want it to create any problems for him when he starts doing his skills tests.

But in the end,... I think I will just take the wait and see approach,....


man,... and I never realized how costly it all can get, since my works pays for all of my training and gear. I'm now working on getting my second kiddo certified, and all geared up.


shaggy

[Clanggedin]

Will you be diving in the future with neporene or a dry suit? If he has to cinch it down all the way when he is not wearing an exposure then you should be fine since he'll need the extra space for when he dives with one on.

[Grassyknoll]

My daughter was certified last year and when shopping for a BC for her I gave it some thought and ended up getting her a Zeagle Lazer. This is not because I felt it was the best BC, simply it was because I dive a Zeagle Ranger and her having a nearly identical rig gives me instant familiarity should I have to manipulate her rig in an emergency-same weight dumps, releases inflator etc...
Just a thought.

[SHAGGY]

Originally Posted by Clanggedin

Will you be diving in the future with neporene or a dry suit? If he has to cinch it down all the way when he is not wearing an exposure then you should be fine since he'll need the extra space for when he dives with one on.

Well,.... when I had him try the BCD on he was wearing his 3mm wetsuit. I think that I am going to just have him go ahead and start the class with that BCD and if it looks like he will need something larger I will get it then. Actually,... if there were some kinda padded covers that could go over the shoulder straps it wouldnt be a problem at all. But since he is able to get it all snug it shouldnt be just fine,.....


shaggy

[fireflock]

I have a couple of friends who started their kids out in a backplate and wing primarily because it is so adjustable when it comes to size. As the kid grows, the most you might have to replace is the webbing (and only if you cut it too short in the first place).

You won't find anything that fits a wider range of sizes.

Rich

[SHAGGY]

Well, I just decided to order a pair of the Zeagle shoulder pads. I think they should help by giving him a lil extra bulk in the shoulders, and I wont have to buy a new BCD.

Zeagle Shoulder Pads, DIR and Technical, Zeagle, Zeagle Shoulder Pads

shaggy