Ladies BCDs

[Scubee]

Originally Posted by purple vonny

I love that word... "BUST"! It sounds like something from the bra department in Grace Brothers.

Sorry, back to the thread!

I suppose 'Ample Bosom' is from the same era?

[teddybeardiver]

I have a aqua lung diva BCD mainly because most "mens" BCDs are too long for me and are really uncomfortable.

I maybe looking at a wing shortly but this is not because I am unhappy with my BCD but because I amthinking of twinning up.

[lynnr54]

Originally Posted by Fiona

So the first question to lynnr54 should be, are you only looking for opinions on female BC's because someone has suggested you should buy one or because they are "designed" for ladies.

I'll be using it over here in the UK wearing a dry suit and abroad wearing a wet suit (far too chicken for just a costume!).

I, probably like most newbies, have only dived using school kit which tends to be fairly old and mens versions. These havent tended to fit particularly well, so guess what I was looking for is advice on whether the womens do fit better or if it is a case of manufacturers seeing a quick way to make additional money.

Dont think I'll be ready for twinsets for a fair while yet - the weight of one tank is bad enough - so probably going to stick with the basic BCD to start with.

Thanks for all the advice everyone!

[Scubee]

Originally Posted by lynnr54

I'll be using it over here in the UK wearing a dry suit and abroad wearing a wet suit (far too chicken for just a costume!).

I, probably like most newbies, have only dived using school kit which tends to be fairly old and mens versions. These havent tended to fit particularly well, so guess what I was looking for is advice on whether the womens do fit better or if it is a case of manufacturers seeing a quick way to make additional money.

Dont think I'll be ready for twinsets for a fair while yet - the weight of one tank is bad enough - so probably going to stick with the basic BCD to start with.

Thanks for all the advice everyone!

Certainly all the women's BCD's I've tried on seem to be a lot better. The Diva (iirc) is nice and stretchy in the front. iw as tempted by it a couple of years ago, but went a twins route instead

[Buoyant Babe]

Originally Posted by Fiona

Which rather proves my point, once you try a harness you will find it far more comfortable.

Last week I sat for hours while doing surface cover at Capernwray and I watched dozens of people enter the water in what looked to me like ill fitting BC's.

Yes, and if you are a female on the shorter side and try to wear a BC designed for a man you might not get a good fit. I loved my Diva LX, but my diving went in a different direction. Let's not forget the Diva LX is a wing 'hybrid'. Not everyone likes the minimalist no pocket's option of a wing. I'd be happy to dive one again if I did singles diving.

Originally Posted by Fiona

You are right Helen, I shouldn't comment without knowing the facts (must be my age)

The only reason I see for a female diver to use a BC tailored for ladies is if they are doing warm water diving in only a swimsuit - other than that I see absolutely no reason and even then I don't think they are necessary - I don't know what prompted the ladies who wear one on here who dive in the UK to buy one.

However lynnr54 has just posted that she has just purchased a new dry suit and I have yet to see any lady with any "female shape" in a dry suit.

So the first question to lynnr54 should be, are you only looking for opinions on female BC's because someone has suggested you should buy one or because they are "designed" for ladies.

Sorry Fiona, I think you are talking crap. You know me well enough to know that if we were having this conversation face to face, I'd say this to you personally. Horses for courses. Not everyone likes a BC, not everyone likes a wing. We are constantly reminded on YD, especially of late, that we are not necessarily representative of the diving community. Lots of people like BCs. I have found the three BCs cut for ladies that I have dived, in my 5'2"-11 stone-size-10/12/14-38B-'not your normal shape', to be more comfortable than 'standard' models.

[CatB]

I'm fairly tall for a woman but have a short body (won't moan about the long legs ) so I need a small mens BC so it doesn't ride up, that then squeezes me when it's inflated. I also (and I realise this is heresy!) loathed the Buddy BCs that our club has for reasons that I can't quite explain!

I like the Diva because it is comfy, it's kind of a wing style so it isn't so bulky around my waist and under my arms yet it still has pockets to tidy things into (I don't have drysuit pockets). You can adjust it so that I can easily switch it between fitting over a drysuit and fitting over a wetsuit or even a rash vest for the pool. I also managed to get a secondhand one on e-bay for less that a cheap new BCD which helped swing the decision!

If I went to a twinset then I'd get a wing -but for now this BC is fine - who knows, if I'd bought another BC I might be singing it's praises now but I'm not planning on changing mine!

[Buoyant Babe]

I liked mine because I am blonde and fluffy.

[Moz]

Originally Posted by Buoyant Babe

I liked mine because I am blonde and fluffy.

Probably fluffy, but blonde, come on!

[Buoyant Babe]

Originally Posted by Moz

Probably fluffy, but blonde, come on!

I am naturally blonde...but there are degrees of blonde. The Blonde Mafia is reunited

[Fiona]

Originally Posted by lynnr54

Dont think I'll be ready for twinsets for a fair while yet - the weight of one tank is bad enough - so probably going to stick with the basic BCD to start with.

Lynn there are smaller wings designed for single tank divng