Rear Inflation BCD vs. Jacket Style Inflation BCD | ADRENO Scuba Diving

In this video, Eckart from ADRENO Scuba Diving Melbourne talks through the differences between a rear inflation scuba diving BCD and a jacket style inflation BCD.
Rear inflation BCDS are explained in their name: all of the inflation is positioned on your back. What that's going to help you with is your trim: since all of your floatation is on your back which will put you nice and flat when you're diving.
On the other hand, a jacket style BCD inflates all the around your hips too. This will result in you sitting a little more upright while diving. You compensate for this by using trim weights so you can make sure that you get nice and flat and horizontal.
On the water surface, a jacket style BCD is more comfortable, as you're sitting a little bit more upright. In reality, though, you're buying a BCD to be underwater! Keep the above in mind when purchasing your fist inflation BCD or upgrading to something new.
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[@waldo2635]

Let's say the boat leaves you and your friend. Both have the rear inflation bcd's. Will they get so tired of trying to stay upright they'll tire out ending up face down?

[@atomic_wait]

If you're having trouble staying upright and you're going to be there for a while I imagine you could unclip from the bcd and adjust your position more dramatically. Would still be able to keep your regulator in while hanging onto the BCD like it's a float or laying belly down on top of it.

[@waldo2635]

@atomic_wait Appreciate your response. Just tried one at the dive shop.. they let me get in the pool. There's maybe a 5-10% difference in jacket vs back inflated as far as the pushing you forward goes. It's really barely noticeable. I bought one. Cheers mate! 🍻

[@atomic_wait]

@@waldo2635 Glad to hear it! Do you get a sense of if back inflation is easier to pack flat in luggage?

[@waldo2635]

@atomic_wait It will take up half the space my jacket took and probably weigh half as much. Once it's dry from diving in a pool today I'm curious to see the weight difference. It will dry faster than a jacket too.