Jacket BC's v. Back inflate BC

[DiveCaptain]

I'm not sure if that's the correct terminoligy to describe the two main types of BCD's. The two that I'm talking about are the one's that inflate totally around you compared to the ones's that just inflate on your back (you don't feel it sqeeze your body). First of all what is the correct terminoligy for these two BCD's? Second, what are the advantages and disadvantages between the two? Just got OW certified and already have a dive computer, mask, and fins. Just trying to find some information on BCD's because I believe that's the next logical step of equipment to get.

[FishFood]

I prefer back inflate. As you said the jacket style (i dont know correct terms) tends to sqeeze you a tad bit, and decrease movement. I dont care much for having the bladders right under my arms like that.
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<DIV>A big gripe aobut back inflates is they force your body forward when your resting on the surace (in other words, your face goes into the water) However, I tend to lie back on mine to easily get around this problem. </DIV>
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<DIV>All in all, I just really like having the bulk of the item behind me instead of around me.</DIV>
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<DIV>I hope this helped.</DIV>

[Judestudio]

Originally Posted by FishFood

A big gripe aobut back inflates is they force your body forward when your resting on the surace (in other words, your face goes into the water) However, I tend to lie back on mine to easily get around this problem.

Um...true in a way. But if you carry the right amount of weights, you wouldn't need to inflate your BC so much that it tips you forward (if you do, you're overweight). I was trained in a jacket BC, it didn't squeeze me, it SQUASHED me! I will never go back to one if I can [img]smileys/smiley13.gif[/img]

Just my 0.02

[przeor]

Unless your BC is fully inflated under water (which probably means you are having issues!) the air will shift to your back if you have proper trim. So a back inflate would make the most sense if you want less clutter around your body- part of the reason people go to a backplate/wing- which is very simple back inflate BC.

[tx.lakerat]

this is usually the first question asked by new divers at our LDS. I recommend to find a place where you can try each in a pool and see what you perfer.
<DIV>For me I have 2 rear inflates and love them! I'm like most and really don't like being wrapped by the bcd.</DIV>

[DiveCaptain]

THe BCD that I used in open water was a jacket style and the sqeezing around the body didn't really bother me. Another person in the class had a back inflate and had a lot of problems with it. It looked like to me that this style was harder, but I guess I can't find out until I actually try both and compare.

[jacewindu]

i trained on (rental) jacket bc's then recently bought a back inflate. Though the 'squeeze' from the jacket was never horribly uncomfortable, i greatly prefer back inflate, both for ease of positioning in the water and freedom of movement and less clutter in my chest area.

[madrsx]

I currently use a jacket style BC which works fine for me - it is rare that I need to put so much air in it that I feel squeezed. When I'm underwater and horizontal, the air goes to the back anyway. If I do feel squeezed, it usually means I'm overweighted and using too much air to try to compensate. The biggest thing I don't like about it is that I think it is a little bulkier to pack - it seems to me the back inflate BCs are trimmer when packing. That said, I got my current BC because it was a great price on a nice BC, and it happened to be a jacket style.
<DIV>I did try a back inflate BC while in open water training, and it was quite comfortable and easy to use also.</DIV>

[TAH 73]

I don't undersrad why they still make front inflate BC's. I like most trained with a jatcket style, and upon completion of OW tred a few different and ended up with a SP Knighthawk back inflate.
<DIV>Fiancee is finishing up her OW and has been diving in a jacket style, an had the chanceto try a Zena and a Ranger in the pool.</DIV>
<DIV>She liked both, but loved the design of the Ranger. She calmly mentioned that too bad it's all black, and when I mentioned that you could get it with custom colors she giggled with delight.</DIV>
<DIV>The only reason i see with a front inflate is the pitch forward on the surface.</DIV>
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[downunder]

Originally Posted by TAH 73

&lt;snip snip&gt; She liked both, but loved the design of the Ranger. She calmly mentioned that too bad it's all black, and when I mentioned that you could get it with custom colors she giggled with delight.
<DIV>The only reason i see with a front inflate is the pitch forward on the surface.</DIV>
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<DIV>I have dove with a Dacor Flyt Pak for years and also have never experienced squeeze. Maybe it varies model to model. I have been very happy with it and can't imagine paying money to upgrade.</DIV>
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<DIV>Oh, and as for the design thing... if my wife were to be a BC designer - look out! In all the design sessions, I bet the ability to actually hold air would be left out! [img]smileys/smiley18.gif[/img](ouch! that's gonna leave a mark!)</DIV>