Big Boy Bc

[DZorn00]

I am looking at getting a new BC and need a little help. I am 6' 4", weigh 330(wish it was all muscle but its not) I am not "fat" in the stomach area but pretty big. I currently have a Seaquest ProQD 2xl it fits good un-inflated but puts a real big squeeze on when loaded and the sides slide back, but I am dying on the bouyancy. I have done a few dives in Lake Rawlings VA, with a 5m shorty I have to wear 48lbs of weight, 10 in the back pockets and the rest in the dump bags, to make me sink.

I am in the pool at least three times a week to work on my bouyancy( I know, it is a lot different in the ocean or lakes). I also know practice makes perfect but i would like to one, wear less weight and two, reach neutral bouyancy finally!!!! I may get close to bouyant and move a thermal cline up or down and forget it it is all over. I have a few dives in Ginnie Springs FL coming up and then it is open water season here. I would like to find a new BC that can fit better inflated and/or maybe get some advice on how to approach the bouyancy thing.

One last thing I float like a log. I really don't need to hold my breath to float.

Battle with Bouyancy is on and I am in last place!

[NitroWill]

I think you might want to look into a backplate and wing setup as it will address several of your problems.

First - you would not have any squeeze with this setup as the bladder is completely behind you and you just have shoulder and waist straps.

Second - the bp/w with a standard hog harness will allow you custom configuration to your body - even if you add/lose weight - so it is essentially good until the webbing wares out.

Third - the backplate can add 6+ lbs of lead directly to your back which will help with your trim and reduce the amount of overall lead you need. Moving some weight to an area directly over your lungs and bladder makes trimming easier. You could then add the additional weight directly to the backplate with plates, to the camband (tank) straps, as well as the waist straps. Also, keep in mind that switching tto this rig will decrease the amount of lead you will need since the rig is much less bouyant then a standard jacket rig.

I am not saying this is the only way to go - but it does help address many of the problems you have been experiencing - so keep it in mind and try one out if you can!

[MSilvia]

I agree with NitroWill... you sound like a great candidate for a backplate and wing. I think an OxyCheq Mach V Signature Wing and Zeagle Stainless Steel Backplate would be good options for you. Those, combined with a simple "hogarthian" harness like the Hollis Solo Harness should serve you well.

[mm_dm]

If you don't like the BP/W, you may like the Zeagle Ranger. Very modular for a BC and a good amount of lift for a big guy. But, as Will stated, you will have more ability to customize the rig and change it as you and your skills change with the BP/W.

[MSilvia]

Originally Posted by mm_dm

Very modular for a BC and a good amount of lift for a big guy.

DZorn00 is buoyant enough. I don't think lift and modularity are what he needs... reducing the ditchable weight he needs to carry, ensuring that he'll get a good fit, and eliminating squeeze are. Aside from eliminating jacket squeeze, I'm not sure a Ranger will address those needs well.

Take it from a guy who was once diving his bp/w at 5'11" and 290#... it's a great system for big divers.

Originally Posted by DZorn00

I'd like... advice on how to approach the bouyancy thing.

There are two big hints I have. First, make sure you are neutrally buoyant at 15' with no air in your BC, and a pretty empty tank... say, 500psi in an aluminium 80. That way, you can be sure you aren't overweighted. Overweighting makes it much harder to nail neutral buoyancy. Second, only add short puffs of air to your BC at a time, and wait 5 seconds to see what effect it had before adding another puff. It may take a moment before a buoyancy change causes a change in movement.

[mwhities]

I'm 6' 6" and 330lbs. I use a BP/W for DSS. Any BP/W (DveRite and OMS sold here on STs) are very customizable and literally will help your trim/buoyancy/rmv.

[DZorn00]

My wife and I are going to our LDS today to check a bunch of stuff out. She is starting her OW class shortly. She has the opposite problem as I do. She is 5' 1" about 105 lbs and is tiny. She SINKS! like a rock. So hopefully we can find something that will fit her and I. There are two LDS's around us so one of them should have something we can enjoy.

[Defman]

Originally Posted by mm_dm

If you don't like the BP/W, you may like the Zeagle Ranger. Very modular for a BC and a good amount of lift for a big guy.

I'd also offer that opinion. I'm 6' & 240# (like you, it's everywhere) and I bought my Large Ranger when I was closer to 200# and it still fits very well, I've had to adjust it some but it's obviously very adjustable to handle that kind of change.

[DZorn00]

Originally Posted by DZorn00

There are two LDS's around us so one of them should have something we can enjoy.

Ofcourse this is to just try them on. I plan to make it to 250 and use my GC to get my stuff from ST.

I am not very familiar with the back plate/ wing set up would some one care to explain more on it?

[Foo2]

Originally Posted by DZorn00

She has the opposite problem as I do. She is 5' 1" about 105 lbs and is tiny. She SINKS! like a rock. So hopefully we can find something that will fit her and I.

I would highly recomend for your wife a Zeagle Zena. I am 5'3" and 115 lbs. The Zena is the only bc that I could find that would get small enough. It seemed that even the XS in other jackets were too big in the shoulders or too long. If that doesn't work for her, consider a children's bc. They are much smaller all over. Hope that helps!