Ladies BCDs

[lynnr54]

Wow! Thanks everyone for all the advice. I can say for definite that I will beg, steal or borrow as many BCs as possible to try as I can before making the final decision.

I'm far too inexperienced to get involved in the wing vs BC debate, but Fiona was right when she said that I have never been presented with all the options. I've never really even been told about wings and have only ever heard about them via conversations others have been having. I did think they were only for tech diving. One things for sure though - I'll ask my school to give me a demo so I can make an informed decision.

Thanks again everyone

Lynn x

[dry suit diver]

Originally Posted by lynnr54

Hi all,

Looking to all the girls out there for a bit of advice on this one.

I'm about to purchase my first BCD and was wondering what you all thought on the ones that are specifically made for women?

The one I'm most interested in is the Aqua Lung Diva LX. I like the bit about the sports bra design harness for us girls with the bigger boobs!

Has anyone any experience of these or can anyone recommend a better one?

Cheers

Lynn

Originally Posted by kath2407

There is often a lot of discussion about "lady BC's" I never had a lady BCD, I had a standard buddy jacket.

I recently moved onto a wing and was surprised how must restriction the BCD had. The change in my profile and comfort from BCD to wing when diving in a dry suit was amazing. I personally found the bits that wrap around the sides and the pockets to be extremely restricting and I don't know how much this had to do with my "lady bits"!

My advice is go to a shop and ask to try as many different styles on as you can. Make sure you can get a full range of movement (swing you arms around like a windmill) and ensure you are comfortable with air in your dry suit AND the BCD .


Alternatively, there are many "entry level" wings where the front of your body is much free-er from clutter that might be an alternative.

If you are a member of a club, borrow other peoples kit, if you aren't any reputable shop should allow you to try things in a pool if they have one available.

K XX

I think Kath answered this bit quite well

Originally Posted by Fiona

My loathing of the so-called female BC has been posted many times, the kit manufacturers have tried to invent something which just isn't needed.

Dare I mention a one piece harness, BP and wing which frankly will fit anyone.

My only recommendation is try a few different items on and see which you feel is most comfortable - I know which I would prefer.

Originally Posted by Buoyant Babe

Like a lot of people I am a harness/BP/wing convert, but the OP was asking about ladies BCs and a particular model, so that's what I commented on.

You may loathe the ladies BCs Fiona, but many people on here are happy with theirs, as was I with mine (before I tried a harness/BP/wing ).

Hxxx

but she specifically asked if there was a better one, this does not define BCD so suggesting a wing for a single tank was a valid suggestion

Originally Posted by Fiona

Lynn there are smaller wings designed for single tank divng

thanks Fiona not often I agree with you wholeheartedly but I think your right on this one

there was a bit about ample bosoms and having dived with Kath a few times I can confirm that the wing works better than the Buddy BCD did.


we always recommend trying different stuff before buying what you want wheres the difference here??



sorry long day in work and I hate seeing ladies arguing

[Buoyant Babe]

What an incredibly patronising post!

[dry suit diver]

Originally Posted by Buoyant Babe

What an incredibly patronising post!

why? because as a man i stepped back and looked at the problem objectivley?

or cos I dont like to see ladies arguing?

to make an informed decision you neded to have all the options.

I dive a single tank on a wing as I just dont like the BCD I once loved and would never part with. Because I tried a wing, and not for tecky twin stuff just to see if it worked for me.

[Buoyant Babe]

Originally Posted by dry suit diver

why? because as a man i stepped back and looked at the problem objectivley?

or cos I dont like to see ladies arguing?

to make an informed decision you neded to have all the options.

I dive a single tank on a wing as I just dont like the BCD I once loved and would never part with. Because I tried a wing, and not for tecky twin stuff just to see if it worked for me.

No actualy, it was because I felt you sounded incredibly patronising. As several people pointed out, nobody was arguing. If you haven't dived a ladies BC yourself how can you give an informed opinion of them?

[dry suit diver]

Originally Posted by Buoyant Babe

No actualy, it was because I felt you sounded incredibly patronising. As several people pointed out, nobody was arguing. If you haven't dived a ladies BC yourself how can you give an informed opinion of them?

from watching my wife struggle with one, and boy does she have an ample bosom.

from watching Kath in the water in one, i am not going to mention ample bosom either.

I don't have breasts but that doesn't mean I cant have an opinion on them.

[purple vonny]

This is not meant to be argumentative, it is just meant to be fair and balanced.ok?

Of all the ladies who have posted an opinion on the Diva or their ladies BCDs, all of the above have liked them. That's what the OP asked.

An alternative is a wing, which is also fine. It will give you plenty of lift and you can "progress to a twinset" with it. I have seen many divers, friends, students, of ample all over propotions who find a BCD retrictive. They often prefer a wing which will fit just about anyone, once adjusted. Whether you are 8 stone or 18 stone.

However, if you WANT a BCD (and lots of divers do) and you are lady shaped, with smaller shoulders than a man (and smaller body mass generally), the ladies BCDs are cut to fit a female better than a generic one.

You could also advise the OP by saying: "I've never had one" or "I have a loathing for them" but then you are not making an informed decsion based on experience.

There's an element of "cognitive dissonance" here in that we all think that what we have is the best. That's why we chose it and use it.

If I have a kit question, I search the forum for threads on the subject, I search google and dive mag reviews and I speak to people who have tried different things and then make an overall (hopefully) informed decsion.

I've bought a new drysuit using advice from YD and today I'm buying a new torch. I can't afford the best so I'm buying the best I can afford that will suit my diving needs.

So... if someone on here says "I'm thinking of getting a Diva" and asks if ayone else uses one and whether they like it, the answer by those who use them or have used them is yes. We do like them.

Maybe when my Diva dies I'll get a wing. I'll keep an open mind. Or maybe I'll just replace it with a new one. But i won't take advice form those who have never owned or tried the thing I am about to buy. Unless they are very knowledgable about a wide range of products.

[Buoyant Babe]

Thank you for that post Vonny. You have said so eloquently what I was unable to articulate myself

[John63]

Originally Posted by Buoyant Babe

Thank you for that post Vonny. You have said so eloquently what I was unable to articulate myself

Sand dancer !

Yeah I know, I am so dead, pointy boots .....

[hogen-deifar]

Originally Posted by John63

Sand dancer !

Yeah I know, I am so dead, pointy boots .....

You are playing with fire! Especially if Scubee persuades BB to come down when you're in Reading! Be afraid, be VERY afraid!!!!!!