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How to Measure BCD?

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Are you struggling with how to measure your BCD?

Most of the divers hardly measure the BCD for themselves and finding the accurate weight underwater. In this post, you will learn how to measure BCD and how to make it easier on picking the BCD size that appropriately just for you.

A lot of people are engaged in Scuba diving, and scuba diving is the best way to see the underwater world. The most vital part of scuba diving is ensuring that you must have the right scuba gear and the precise buoyancy for your safety as well – which is the most significant viewpoint when it comes to scuba diving.

What is BCD?

A buoyancy compensator or so-called a buoyancy control device or BCD is a diving device with an inflatable bladder which used by divers to discover even buoyancy underwater and a well-balanced buoyancy on the surface of the water when the diver needed to go up.

Types of BCD:

  • BACK INFLATION SCUBA BCD
  • JACKET-STYLE BCD
  • HYBRID BCD
  • BACKPLATE AND WING BCD
  • SIDEMOUNT BCD
  • SNORKEL VEST

When it comes to measuring your BCD and calculating the amount of weight, your BCD should be equalled ideally for you to sink or float to obtain the highest satisfaction and protection during underwater diving.

What are the factors that can influence your buoyancy?

  • your body configuration
  • the device
  • and suit worn,
  • the quantity of air you’re breathing,
  • And the water you’ll dive into (freshwater versus saltwater), etc.

Combining volume to your weight the weight belt can supply a good impact on diving, and it makes your dives safer.

How to Measure BCD that Suits you?

While humans have different sizes and body shapes, here you will be able to know what BCD type that fits your body.

For a good dive, take a BCD that is suitable for your body shape and size.  If you are short and having a small waist, you’ll need a compact BCD with an underrated weighing system to ensure it fits well and stays in place during your dive.

Moreover, correct weighting and weight control are very vital if you want a great diving adventure.

However, there’s no instant plug that you can measure your precise weight so when getting the right measure, you need to have good knowledge and practice.

To help you, enlisted here some simple steps to follow with the aid of using a weight calculator.

Points on how to Calculate Your Dive Weight:

Know your Weight

To figure out easily, weigh yourself to any weighing scales available at your home or the diving center. Getting the right weight will direct you to find the exact percentage of weight you need.

Freshwater – you need 6-8% of body weight.

Saltwater – you need 8-10%

Contemplate Your Equipment

Almost beginners thinking that wearing many pieces of diving suits and taking gears can add buoyancy in the water. However, it’s not the right thing it can certainly make you stay afloat.

Also, contemplate the weight of the other scuba gear equipment— from your tank, and fins, to your dive flashlight, and others. Small devices can add to your buoyancy.

The weight of your BCD

BCD is very vital but, wait, you need to know the weight of BCD as it greatly contributes to your buoyancy underwater.

To discern the buoyancy of your BCD, submerge it in water and free any air inside. Be sure all the exhaust valves are open, and squeeze all the padded parts.

Know the amount of weight required to make it buoyant.

Utilize a Scuba Gear Weight Calculator

Using a scuba gear calculator is the simplest and most accurate way to get the exact gear weight.

How to do it?

You’ll be able to discover lots of calculators online. Simply fill-up the form online, and check, if the amount of weight whether it precisely matches for you.

Whatever the results, and be sure to test your weight before diving.

Examine and test your buoyancy

If there’s any problem during your dive, always take down the circumstances. If you couldn’t sink, or float, still record the amount of weight you gain underwater so that the next dive you can perfectly get the right weight. .

Test your weight

Lastly, this time you need to exercise and test it underwater. Practice a trial dive in a swimming pool where you are comfortable doing it.

Never forget to take your complete set of gear to test it underwater. You can try the different dive weights too – so that you will be able to identify the right weight underwater.

Don’t forget to note that if you are diving in salt water you need a little weight than in freshwater. You can find the estimated percentage of weight used above in this matter to guide you.

Conclusion:

Identifying your overall weight when diving is very important to ensure your safety. Getting the right BCD for you is also important, and the water also influence, whether its a salt water, or freshwater, as it influences the buoyancy.

Having complete scuba gear is also important and checking your gear whether it’s functioning well is very vital for your protection.

Scuba gear must also be measured its weight when taking it underwater.

Overall, how to measure BCD perfectly, relies on your own weight, the gear you take, the environment or the water you engage to dive in and the suits you used underwater.