Scuba BCD BREAKDOWN: Jacket, semi-wing and wing pros/cons

Let's check out the things to look for when shopping for your first (or next) scuba BCD. Save yourself the headache of a bad purchase!
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There are many scuba BCD brands to choose from, but before you make that decision, let's review the main styles that are out there! Buoyancy control Devices (Scuba BCDs) come in jacket style (most common), semi-wing (kinda weird) and wing style. Plus, there are some extras to look out for when making a scuba bcd purchase so make sure you know what you need out of your equipment. This is important because hopefully, it's going to be your BCD for a very long time!
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[@AzulUnlimited]

A solid, standard jacket style BCD: Scubapro Equalizer: amzn.to/2HXUPQO What's your favorite style?

[@ernestlcolemanjr]

I have only dove with a wing style BCD. I brought all my equipment before starting my OW course.

[@jaume1978]

I wouldn't change my wing for a jacket, simplicity, comfortable, practical, and I don't have more good adjectives because my english, not because all wings good things xD...and of course I don't want to hear anything about leaving away my xdeep stealth 2.0 tec xD

[@mikesbigadventures194]

My Zeagle Ranger is a better Wing-Jacket type than the one you had. And I’m looking now to get a backplate and wing and dry suit (yeah I dive Monterey).

[@gray_wolverine63]

@@mikesbigadventures194 I found my TUSA to be one of mine best ive own so far here's a video about it.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b32anmV_abSFgZo

[@mikesbigadventures194]

@@gray_wolverine63 Got my Halcyon Eclipse 30 BPW and loving it. Just waiting for my DUI CLX 450 to arrive.

[@mikkosport2300]

I started my diving carrier with jacket style bcd. After a few years I had an opportunity to try wing & backplate setup. I fell in love immediately. I have now been an instructor last two decades and always used my wing system. No problems. Even my open water students uses backplate +wing from the begin and learn to dive well.

[@AzulUnlimited]

We love back plate and wing, they are very good for trim position, maybe in the beginning a bit uncomfortable at the surface because they push you in a flat position but tbh.... who wants to be at the surface!! hehehe thanks for your comment tho.

[@bradallen5571]

I'm a backplate and wing kinda guy. I dove a jacket for like 15-20 dives before trying the the BP&W and I've been hooked ever since. The pitch forward issue has never really been an issue for me with this setup. However with integrated weights in a jacket it was murder. Granted I've only ever used one brand/ two different models but it threw me face first at the surface. Now I use trim weights on the upper or lower tank band and a weight belt with the BP&W and stay perfectly vertical on the surface and trim at depth is a breeze. Love the video as usual. Keep'm comin!!

[@AzulUnlimited]

Hi Brad!! Thanks for your comment!! I use to teach for a while with a wing and jejeje I´m gonna tell you a pro secret, to be able to stay vertical at the surface in the pool specially.... I fill it up half way with water jiijijii. As always thanks for your input!!

[@philclose86]

Always good to get the views of the professionals. Another good and informative video. Thanks

[@AzulUnlimited]

Our pleasure! Thanks for watching us. Dive safe!!

[@laminar0886]

Thank you for another very informative video. I completely agree with your take on having pockets to store all the accessories.

[@AzulUnlimited]

Glad it was helpful! I´m so use to carry stuffs on my pockets, like extra mask for my clients, DSMB, torch etc etc...

[@TritonsRealm]

Great overview! We get asked this question a lot. Love your point on hanging pockets (6:26) 👍

[@AzulUnlimited]

Glad it was helpful! those kinda of pockets end touching everything specially when you need to get close to the reef or sand looking for Macro or to play with the currents here in Komodo.

[@pedrojuliancereceda8301]

I,m a scuba diver from Spain, three *** Stars "FEDAS-CEMAS" and I,m really enjoying while watching your video podcast! Greetings from Sunny Spain! ¡Vamonos!

[@AzulUnlimited]

We appreciate you! Muchas gracias y feliz año nuevo!!!

[@cowboymcq6711]

Great informative video thanks a lot ✌🏼

[@AzulUnlimited]

Thanks!

[@muratsinanengin9773]

I used rental equipment while training. Then one day my instructor came with a brand new Cressi back jac. A wing style weight integrated bcd. I immediately understood that it was for me. Next thing, I bought that along with the rest of my gear. 🙂

[@AzulUnlimited]

That's awesome, I did the same, used rental gear for a few training courses and fun dives and try different models until I found something I like!

[@MartinianoJuanes]

I didn't know about the differents styles. Thanks :)

[@AzulUnlimited]

Glad you like them! Is many different options available on the market, and to be honest for me, if I´m not teaching recreational divers, I personally prefer a wing with backplate.

[@powerofeus]

As always amazing video!! in some days i ll start mu Advanced Open Water course! I'm so exited!!. BTW I use a light wing BCD, specifically Scubapro lighthawk and its awesome... but as you said I don't have pockets... so I tie all to the bcd. beside of that I felt very confortable wtih my bcd and also is easy to transport. Hope some day dive with you guys!! I'm on the path for Padi Instructor! that's my dream. Greetings to My friend Itor! Muchos saludos!

[@AzulUnlimited]

That's a very good BCD, maybe if one day you feel you need a place for your accessories , a diving pouch could solve the problem!

[@jonnieinbangkok]

Good vid Laura 👍

[@AzulUnlimited]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Oceanuglyman]

Like always I´m agree!!. Now I just bought a Hollis HD-200 semi technical BCD, and until now I know the concept of a huge bladder is not recommended. The bladder of this Hollis it´s small and think gonna be a disadvantage, but, like you said, it is not a problem!!!. I´m gonna brand new this BCD in Cozumel the next week!!!. yyyeeeeaaa

[@AzulUnlimited]

Congrats on your new BCD tho! an well Cozumel is not a bad place for a first dive with it, maybe Jardines de Palancar?? mmmm I miss Paso del Cedral LOL

[@jimcrowley1856]

Very informative! I'm not a diver, but over the last month "Take Scuba Lessons!" keeps running through my brain, so I'm watching a lot of yt vids. I especially like the "parody" videos you two make! And, respectfully, may I say you have great delts and biceps.......

[@AzulUnlimited]

haha thanks so much for watching, future diver! You should definitely listen to that little voice. Where are you located? If you're thinking about being in California any time soon, let's chat about getting you certified. [e-mail]. oh and thanks, i work out 😂💪

[@suhaibalbakri6691]

Your channel needs more recognition

[@AzulUnlimited]

Thanks!! Hahah that´s what we are trying LOL. But thanks for watching and helping us to grow. Regards from Indonesia

[@davidressler9316]

I remember when the octopus became sort of the standard. I learned to share air and buddy breathe. I also think a lot of divers nowadays look for the regulator with the yellow hose in emergencies. This could create issues with partners that use their inflator

[@AzulUnlimited]

Absolutely. The standards have changed, but all of those are good emergency options. as long as everyone gets to the surface safely, it's a win!

[@bullsharkreef]

I dive with a solid SS backplate and wing at home in cold water, and a soft backplate and wing setup(Diverite Transpac) when traveling in warm places. I much prefer the solid backplate setup, especially since I custom molded lead weight that bolt onto it, but it's too heavy for air traveling and too fiddly to trim properly. I occasionally rent regular BCD's, they're ok but they feel a bit weird to me.

[@AzulUnlimited]

Thanks for sharing! And I agree, when you are use to dive with backplate or soft backplate, going back to a jacket style bcd can be a bit weird.

[@timgosling6189]

How did I not see this one in November? I started off with a Scubapro jacket BCD like yours but it never really fitted and it was only when I tried a harness that I realised just how loose the tank had been on my back. And it also had far too much lift with all the difficulties you describe. With the wing (Apeks WTX-D30 PSD) I went from 44 lbs of lift down to 30 and it stays much more streamlined with no 'butterflying' around the tank. With a wetsuit I only need about 4kg of lead and I found if I put it either on a belt with the weights in the small of my back, or better in trim pouches on the cylinder bands, I could have stable trim in the water at any angle as the buoyancy and mass are so close together. It's so great! It's fine on the surface too and I've acted as victim and rescuer for courses and had no problem rolling over. I'll never go back!

[@AzulUnlimited]

That's awesome. Yeah, i'm going to make the switch too once I need a new BCD. I gotta say though, this one is built so tough that may not happen for many years!

[@timgosling6189]

@@AzulUnlimited By the way, so we've been introduced, this is me in holiday mode (kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJy7ZIyGmbatbbM), or at least it was when I started with the wing 4 years ago. I'm loving your output; I'm only now getting the hang of underwater video but it's getting there!

[@jeremiahperez8071]

Could you do a video on choosing a regulator... Is it necessary to upgrade if yours is older but works well? How to choose between all the models (I'm a Mares brand kids guy). The differences in the first stage and can you mix and match brands between first, second, and octo? Thanks 👍

[@AzulUnlimited]

Hi there! We do have a basic video abut Yoke and DIN regulators and the difference between them . If I have to go for a new regulator right now I will choose for sure a DIN reg with Over-balanced diaphragm design, environmentally sealed. (check out Apeks, I love them) You can mix first and second stages but sometimes they need some adjustments if the working pressure of the second stage is not the correct one for the middle pressure that the first stage provide. But to be honest, regulators is a big world full of different options, maybe find something solid in the market that you know for sure is an excellent option like the XTX 50 from Apeks or the MK25 from Scubapro. Let me know if you have more questions about first stages once you have a better idea of what can fit your expectations!

[@spinetingler-007]

The best style is the vest style - Scubapro Classic.

[@AzulUnlimited]

Glad it works for you!

[@johnblixt4740]

Hi Azul Unlimited- I am looking to get a new BCD and was considering the Aqualung Dimension or Rogue, I'm not sure what the difference is but, I was leaning toward the Dimension. Is this wing going to be difficult to deflate like the SP you referenced in the video? Thank you!

[@AzulUnlimited]

I haven't used that bcd before and it looks nice. One thing, if the clips on the side of the bladder break, I could definitely see that being a problem, but otherwise, it should be ok. Let us know if you get it and what you think about it. thanks for watching!

[@louis840]

Hi, Great video. Please comment/confirm : - A back inflated BCD does not seem to be the best for wall diving where a vertical position is recommended - In case of a strong downward current, the horizontal position given by back inflated bcd makes the situation harder. Thanks & regards

[@AzulUnlimited]

Hi. I´m sorry for the late reply!! So, back inflated BDC still a good choice because you can still be changing your position to vertical if you are drifting on a wall, they help to keep a good trim position but underwater is possible to adjust the position, at the surface is when they become more tricky. For downstream currents, a trim position will increase your resistance and could be more difficult to escape from the situation, but again if they are way too strong, inflating the BCD will take you to the surface or out of the current, and the position doesn't really matter because the primary goal is to get out of there.

[@louis840]

@@AzulUnlimited in case of a sidemount configuration, vertical position for wall diving is easily achievable as well or not ?

[@timgosling6189]

I dive a wing and backplate. In a wetsuit I've found that with weight in trim pockets on the cylinder bands I can get my mass and buoyancy centred in pretty much the same place so I can be stable in the water flat, vertical or even upside down. It also gives a great position on the surface.

[@akumabito2008]

I want to get DM certified in the near future and I'm looking for a new BCD. I was looking at the Scubapro Hydros Pro, but now I'm thinking I might be better off with the Hydros X. What are your thoughts?

[@AzulUnlimited]

Between the two, I would go with the hydros x because the pro doesn't look like it has pockets?? or if it does, probably not very big ones and I'm a big fan of easily accessible pockets as a DM or instructor.

[@teresa9188]

I’m a beginner and my instructor had a hard time fitting my rental bcd because my torso is short, and I’m short waisted. I want to buy a bcd so do you know of a brand that fits a shorter torso? I’ll probably get a jacket style.

[@AzulUnlimited]

I would look at any of the women's models since they are designed for smaller bodies. I haven't used these, but maybe something like the aqualung pearl or rogue would work for you. Let us know what you find!

[@logozgur]

If you can't stand upright in water, how will you share your air supply with the other person? How can this be safe?

[@AzulUnlimited]

It's not that you can't be upright. It's perfectly safe, just takes more effort to hold a different position

[@KB-gd6fc]

Backplates forevea!

[@AzulUnlimited]

Hahaha they are awesome, I love the new Xdeep ZEN ...

[@wojciech-kulik]

Great video! I always hear the argument that it is hard to stay vertical on the surface with wing BCD. However, I have never experienced that :D. I bought the same wing BCD that I was using on my AOWD, but with improved construction which also makes staying on the surface easier, looks very promising. I will be testing it this week for the first time ^^ Here is some video about this wing: kzbin.info/www/bejne/naHKmmVqn7qhm7s PS. I fell in love with wing BCD from the first try. I'm glad that my diving center offered me to try out one during my AOWD. The position in the water is amazing, I absolutely love it! And the plate on the back that lets you take 2kg less weights (depends on setup)!

[@AzulUnlimited]

Totally. Glad it works for you!

[@kg6497]

There are negatives to jacket BCs you didn't mention like BC squeeze and more inherent buoyancy compared to back inflate BCs. You also didn't mention using trim weights on back inflate BCs to better balance them, although I've found that raising my knees slightly the rare times I get tilted a little forward at surface pits me upright. That "face down" description discouraged me for awhile. But first using the Scubapro with Air 2, I was hooked especially since I'm a warm water diver. I'm a small driver, as is my buddy and had trouble finding XS and XXS rental jacket BCDs so the back inflate fit better than the jackets. Btw, in the Philippines ALL dive masters use the back inflates. I LOVE the trim and buoyancy control of the back inflates!

[@AzulUnlimited]

Cool. Thanks for sharing🙏

[@troop1026]

Hollis, Sherwood, Oceanic Atomic Aquatics

[@AzulUnlimited]

Right on right on 🤙 lots of good options