Lisa 的个人资料Monotonous Thoughts照片日志列表更多  |  工具 帮助 |
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2月18日 Shopping for Scuba GearYesterday, Walt and I went shopping for scuba gear. The day consisted of two trips to dive shops, one in the morning and one later in the afternoon. From my perspective, I should have stayed at the first dive shop and spent a little more money there.
The whole adventure really started on Friday night when we stopped by International Scuba in Carrollton prior to going out for dinner. I wanted to stop by and see what they had to offer in BC's (buoyancy compensators - the flotation device for scuba). We met Brian and Patti, the owners, and they were great. Brian and I agreed that we would meet on Saturday morning, get in the pool, and try out the BC's. Since I have never had a rental BC that fit me right, it was essential for me to get into the pool and test them out.
When it comes to BC's, or most fitted scuba gear, I have issues getting stuff that fits me. It is a three part problem. First, I am 5'11" tall, which eliminates me from most female gear. Second, I am very busty, which becomes a problem with the men's gear. And finally, I am a size 18 (not alot of women's plus size gear).
Ok, so Saturday morning Walt and I head over to International Scuba www.internationalscuba.com with our swimsuits , fins, mask, and reg. Brian is ready with 4 BC's for me to try out in the pool.
BC #1 was the Sea Quest Balance back inflater for men www.aqualung.com/products/balance.html . This was my first time to try out a back inflated BC instead of a vest. I loved the fit!!! The straps did not cut into my chest and nothing was being smushed. Wow. Underwater the BC was great, once we got it weighted properly, I easily achieved neutral buoyancy in horizontal, vertical, and upside down positions. It was also comfortable to swim in. The one issue with back inflaters is on the surface they tend to push you forward. Brian told me to let a little air out and lean back with my legs up in front of me. That did the trick.
BC #2 sucked. Even weighted correctly, I did not feel that I could achieve neutral buoyancy. Also it did not fit right in the chest or shoulders. That BC (I can't remember the brand because I had it on so briefly) was just not the BC for me.
BC#3 was the Sea Quest Diva LX for women www.aqualung.com/products/diva_lx_pink.html . It did very well on neutral buoyancy in all positions, and the fit was pretty good. I liked the fact that it combined the attributes of a back inflater and vest styles. When underwater, the addition of air only goes to the back. When on the surface and fully inflating the air fills up the back first and then the sides. I liked that since I did not have to fully inflate to stay afloat and I did not get my ribs squeezed.
BC#4 was the Mares Icon for men, another back inflater www.mares.com/product_detail.php?id=280®ion=USA . The Icon's biggest plus is that it folds up very small for travel (amazingly small). Part of the Icon's construction is foam padding, which throws off your normal weight amounts. It took quite a bit of added weights to compensate for the foam. Once I was weighted correctly, I started my evaluation. In the horizontal position, I was unable to attain neutral buoyancy. I felt like I was rolling to the left, so I checked my weights to make sure nothing was shifting and it was not. I was fine in vertical and upside down, but not horizontal. Even though the BC was very comfortable, I decided not to buy it due to the horizontal issues. By this time Walt was in the pool and wanted to give the Icon a try. Walt loved it and got it. That just goes to show that what works for one person may not work for someone else.
So at this point I am down to two BC's. I decided to try them both one more time and make my decision. First I put on the Diva and then the Balance. In the end I purchased the Balance, because it fit me for my height (5'11"), size and chest. Nothing was smushed and it was comfortable both underwater and on the surface. I decided against the Diva for two reasons. The vest was short in comparison to the Balance and it smushed and pushed on my chest. The Diva needs to accommodate D-cup and bigger if it wants more buyers. In the end, I do not want my chest smushed.
After 2 hours in the pool we got changed and bought 2 BC's, weights, clippy things, and another sticker for my Escape. Brian and Patti were great with all their help. Brian also told me I could switch over from NAUI to PADI for my future certifications. I am going to do that. I highly recommend International Scuba for dive equipment in the Dallas area.
After a break for lunch and a banquet meeting, we went to another scuba shop in Carrollton with a big internet business (I am leaving out their name at this time). I wanted to go there since I knew they had good prices on wet suits. I was very displeased with the service I received from them. No one offered to help me. The wet suits I wanted were up high and I could not get any of the guys to help. So I tried on some skins. Walt managed to get someone to get a wet suit down for me, and then they disappeared. Because of my chest I was unable to get a good seal at my neck, and decided not to bother trying anything else on. I was annoyed that they couldn't be bothered with me. I will be going back to International Scuba to try on wet suits.
Anyway the day started off great and ended with a thud. I am very pleased that I found a BC that fits me.
- Lisa Lounsbery |
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