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Buoyancy Compensators

Jacket/Vest style BC's are the most common among recreational divers. Back Inflation is very commonly used by divers that wish to streamline the front of the BC. BC's that are made specifically for women have three features that distinguish them from unisex or men's BC's BC Accessories is a wide category that encompasses all types of BC's. Technical BC's are built for long dives and long wear. See more ▾

The BC or buoyancy compensator is used to float the diver and equipment on the surface and allows for adjusting for neutral buoyancy at depth. Diving in cold water requires the use of thicker wetsuits. This requires ample weight to offset the buoyancy and the BC will need enough lift capacity to compensate for the loss of that buoyancy at depth. Common features for most BC’s include: a variety of shoulder and waist adjustments to help you custom fit the BC to your body. Quick releases on the shoulders make for easy removal. Trim weight pockets typically in the back of the BC, which allows the diver to balance the placement of weight. Trim weight pockets are usually NOT diver ditch-able and are used for trim only. Integrated weight systems where the weight is carried in pockets of BC and can be ditched by the diver in an emergency. Other models require the diver to wear a separate weight belt. Number of D-rings, easy access pockets, shoulder dump valves, lumbar support pad and adjustable cummerbunds are all features that make the BC’s more comfortable and easier to use. The Denier number designates how tough and heavy duty the material is on the BC. The average BC will have around 620 denier and can be as high as 1600.

Jacket Vest Style BC Jacket/Vest Style
Jacket/Vest style BC's are the most common among recreational divers and are the most often used for training new divers. These encompass an air-cell that wraps around the diver from back to front around the lower rib cage. This provides excellent vertical stability at the surface. There are usually large easy access pockets on the lower front of these BC's for inboard storage. The harness derives its stability from the cummerbund which usually Velcro's around the waist line. The quick releases on the front of the pockets and on the shoulder straps allow for quick donning and doffing. The lift capacities of these BC's are usually suitable for both warm and cold water environments.
Back Inflation BC Back Inflation
This style is very commonly used by divers that wish to streamline the front of the BC. The air-cell is situated behind the diver, freeing up the front for ease of movement. The harness derives its stability from the cummerbund or web strap which Velcro's or buckles around the waist line. Storage is usually accomplished by multiple D-Ring attachment points on the harness or by adding utility pockets to the various straps. Most BC's in this category have a high lift capacity for heavy loads although there are also many light-weight travel models available. Many newer models also have small and medium sized pockets for inboard storage up front without adding bulk. Most models are appropriate for both cold and warm water use.
Women BCD For Women
BC's that are made specifically for women have three features that distinguish them from unisex or men's BC's They are shorter in the length of the torso, the shoulder straps are not as wide, and they usually have a padded or velour lining for comfort. The shoulder straps are also designed to curve away from the chest and back toward the lumbar support. The overall pattern and fit takes a woman's body composition into great consideration for comfort and ease of use. Most models are appropriate for both cold and warm water use.
Technical BCD Technical
These BC's are built for long dives and long wear. They are built out of heavy material and have high lift capacities. They are built around the idea of being "modular." A harness may be quickly re-fit to encompass a back-plate, different air cell and multiple tanks. They can also be fit with light-weight air cells for travel. There are multiple attachment points on the harness for a wide array of equipment from light canisters and reels to surface marker buoys to multiple cylinders for long dives. Most models are appropriate for both cold and warm water use.
BC Accessories BC Accessories
This is a wide category that encompasses all types of BC's Here, the diver will find everything from underwater signaling devices to safety sausages to storage pockets. Larger air cells and attachment/storage pockets increase versatility. See less ▴

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Top Rated Buoyancy Compensators

Top 5 Jacket/Vest Style BC

ScubaPro Go Travel Light BC
ScubaPro Go Travel Light BC
Starting at $479.00
Sherwood Avid CQR3 BCD
Sherwood Avid CQR3 BCD
Starting at $499.95
Aqua Lung SeaQuest Axiom i3 BC
Aqua Lung SeaQuest Axiom i3 BC 
Starting at $675.00
TUSA Soverin BCJ-4000 Diving BC
TUSA Soverin BCJ-4000 Diving BC 
Starting at $469.99

View All Jacket/Vest Style BC

Top 5 Back Inflation BC

ScubaPro KnightHawk BC
ScubaPro KnightHawk BC 
Starting at $617.00
Zeagle Ranger LTD BC
Zeagle Ranger LTD BC 
Starting at $949.95
Zeagle Ranger BC
Zeagle Ranger BC 
Starting at $749.95
Zeagle Stiletto BC
Zeagle Stiletto BC 
Starting at $599.95
Oceanic Islander 2 BC
Oceanic Islander 2 BC 
Starting at $479.95

View All Back Inflation BC

Top 5 BC For Women

Aqua Lung SeaQuest Pearl Womens BC
Aqua Lung SeaQuest Pearl Womens BC 
Starting at $535.00
ScubaPro Ladyhawk BC
ScubaPro Ladyhawk BC 
Starting at $617.00
Mares Hybrid She Dives BC
Mares Hybrid She Dives BC 
Starting at $598.95

View All BC For Women

Top 5 BC Accessories

Atomic SS1 Octo
Atomic SS1 Octo 
Starting at $254.00
XS Scuba Airwave Plus Inline Octo
XS Scuba Airwave Plus Inline Octo 
Starting at $159.95

View All BC Accessories

Top 5 Technical BC

Zeagle Ranger LTD BC
Zeagle Ranger LTD BC 
Starting at $949.95
Zeagle Ranger BC
Zeagle Ranger BC 
Starting at $749.95
ScubaPro Form Tek Harness System BC
ScubaPro Form Tek Harness System BC 
Starting at $919.00
Zeagle Express Tech Pad Kit
Zeagle Express Tech Pad Kit 
Starting at $56.75
Hollis Solo Harness
Hollis Solo Harness 
Starting at $104.95

View All Technical BC

Buoyancy Compensator Reviews: Jacket/Vest Style BC Reviews, Back Inflation BC Reviews, BC For Women Reviews, BC Accessory Reviews, Technical BC Reviews

Aeris BCD Aqua Tec BCD Bare BCD Cressi BCD Deep Outdoors BCD Genesis BCD
Mares BCD
Oceanic BCD Seasoft BCD Sherwood BCD Tusa BCD XS Scuba BCD Zeagle BCD

Buoyancy Compensators Instructional Videos

Zeagle Ranger LTD Video Review Zeagle Ranger LTD Video Review
This demonstration video discusses and shows the features of Zeagle´s Ranger LTD Buoyancy Compensator Device (BCD). This BC features Zeagle´s...
Aqua Lung Pro QD Scuba BC Video Review Aqua Lung Pro QD Scuba BC Video Review
This video shows the features of the Aqua Lung Scuba BC. It has an Integrated Weight System - 30 lb capacity (20 lbs Diver releasable - 10 lbs...
Zeagle Ranger BC Video Review Zeagle Ranger BC Video Review
This instructional video discusses the features of the Zeagle Ranger BC. This back inflation buoyancy compensator has basic adjustments such as the...

View More Videos

Buoyancy Compensators Reviews:

TUSA Conquest BC BCJ-7000 Review TUSA Conquest BC BCJ-7000 Review   Conquest BC BCJ-7000
TUSA BCJ-7000 - first off, this bc is very comfortable. it has many steel d-rings to attach stuff, a nice sized down pocket, two retractor grommets, and the back cushion is... View Full Review
Zeagle Ranger BC Review Zeagle Ranger BC Review   Ranger BC
No longer renting - I recently pruchased a Zeagle Ranger BC from SCUBA.COM. I was very pleased with the service, including an attempt at price matching with a different online... View Full Review

View More Buoyancy Compensator Reviews


We are proud to offer buoyancy compensators from the following manufacturers:
Aeris, Apeks, Aqua Lung, Aquatec, Bare, Genesis, Hollis, Mares, Oceanic, Poseidon, ScubaPro, Seac, Seasoft, Seatec, Sherwood, SubGear, TUSA, XS Scuba, Zeagle and more...



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