The Different Styles of Buoyancy Compensators

Different kinds of diving can require different styles of BCDs. The traditional jacket style is great for recreational diving. Some jacket style BCDs are gender-specific, and others can be made of lighter material for easier traveling. They can also have integrated weights, allowing you to add them to the BCD itself. The backplate/wing style BCDs can be used for technical diving as well and tend to be more durable and minimalistic.

Your comfort is paramount for your diving gear — BCDs included. Divers can enjoy a custom fit by adjusting the webbing to fit their size. Backplates can come in aluminum, carbon fiber, or stainless steel and provide you with the support you need. We also offer a variety of wing styles, including shape and color. Side mount diving combines a wing and harness system that allows divers to attach scuba tanks to their sides. Explore our different side mount options for a variety of webbing and plates. With brands such as Aqualung and Scubapro, you can find buoyancy compensator vests to easily fit your preferred style.

How Does a Buoyancy Compensator Work?

There are three specific stages where your buoyancy compensator plays a significant role in your diving experience — the descent, bottom time, and ascent. You need to maintain a negative buoyancy for the descent stage to reach the desired depths. Your BCD device helps and allows you to sink to the ocean’s depths in a controlled manner.

Every diver is different and starts each dive with a unique starting buoyancy. Your buoyancy compensator vest allows you to add air to your system and compensate enough for a controlled descent.

When you reach the ocean floor and begin your bottom time, you require neutral buoyancy to maintain your current depth. Your BCD device allows you to remain the same buoyancy as the water around you. Subtle changes to your depth require additional adjustments to compensate and stay at your neutral buoyancy — positive buoyancy is required at the surface.

Turn to Scubadelphia for Your BCD Needs!

In addition to finding BCDs from the top brands on the market, we provide our customers with access to the best in drysuits, masks, fins, snorkels, and expert parts and repairs. Browse our inventory to find your new favorite BCD today!