With all the gear manufacturers and all the different models on the market, selecting the ideal BCD can be a daunting task. The choices are seemingly endless, with different styles, different features, and an array of attractive color schemes, but how do you know which one is right for you? And, after the choice is made, what do you do if you were wrong? Do you sell your BCD at a garage sale and buy another one; or do you keep it and have more than one to use on different types of dives? Many divers have struggled with this and have ended up losing money selling gear or having unused gear taking up space in their dive locker. For most divers there is a versatile alternative to the problem called Technical Gear. The term Technical Gear will likely have half the readers moving on to the next article but, stick with it and read on. You may just find out those technical divers are on to something.
Assorted Hardware Photo Courtesy of Dive Rite
Consider the features and attributes a diver should look for in the ideal BCD. Some descriptive words may be: safe, convenient, practical, flexible, robust, comfortable, compact, easy to use, full-featured, efficient, and streamlined. Now think about all the BCDs you’ve seen and select the one that meets those criteria and is suitable for any type of diving you choose to do. That would be a tough choice because it really doesn’t exist. Some are better than others and many are great if you dive in the same places with the same equipment all the time. The truth is that if you want the ideal BCD for all circumstances you need a system that is flexible and can change to meet your needs. Tech Gear offers that. The technical BCD or “Backplate and Wing” provides infinite flexibility and truly is the ideal BCD for all types of diving.
The technical diving BCD evolved from lessons learned by some of the pioneering divers at the cutting edge of extreme diving. They needed equipment that was streamlined, efficient, and robust. They needed it to be flexible so it could be configured for different situations, and most of all, it had to be safe and easy to use. Sound familiar? Isn’t that what we all want from our gear?
Some of the convenient accessories. Photo courtesy of Dive Rite
The Tech BCD is a modular system made up of very simple and robust components that can be configured in an infinite number of ways. The main components are a hard backplate, a harness, and an air bladder or “wing.” D-Rings, clips, retainers, buckles, pockets, and a variety of accessories can be added in almost any number and position to create the ideal and fully functional BCD. Wings come in all shapes and sizes from small low volume for single aluminum tank diving to high volume, dual bladder models to provide redundancy and lift for deep technical dives. A diver can invest in one backplate and harness system and accessorize it in an unlimited number of ways. With the correct wing the rig can be used for a deep technical cave dive with doubles and decompression tanks one day then can quickly be reconfigured to dive a shallow reef with an aluminum 80 the next. A technical BCD system can be adjusted for comfort and convenience and can be quickly changed to allow a diver to safely dive in a wide variety of environments, offering features no ordinary BCD can match.
The initial cost of a technical BCD is typically a little more than a standard recreational style BCD but, overall will provide significant savings to the buyer. Technical dive gear is designed for diving in harsh demanding environments and is generally more robust and well-made. It will usually last longer and require less frequent replacement. Resale value tends to be higher for technical gear so when you decide to change or upgrade gear you can get a larger portion of your investment returned. The versatility provides big savings. Recreational style BCDS have all the D-rings, attachment points, pockets, integrated weights, and air bladders sewn in and unmovable but, with tech gear, all this is infinitely changeable and adjustable. Your gear can be configured and customized for your comfort, convenience, and safety, and changed as your needs change without buying an entire new BCD. A basic backplate harness and wing will last for many years and can evolve as your diving skills grow. It’s an economical as well as a safe and functional configuration.
A Deluxe Transpac from Dive Rite
Technical BCDS, like today’s recreational BCDs, have evolved and most manufacturers offer a complete line from the most basic rig to deluxe harness systems with padding and additional comfort features. They all share similar attributes and provide a robust and versatile piece of equipment that can meet a wide variety of needs. The diver can choose the configuration that is best for him or her and then, unlike standard recreational BCDs, can customize it to fit their needs. By allowing the diver to create a system based upon individual needs the BCD becomes more efficient, more comfortable, and most importantly, safer.
Technical gear, it’s not for everybody. Or is it? If you want to be a safer and more comfortable diver consider technical dive gear. If you want to save money and be more efficient consider technical dive gear. And if you want to be a better diver, by all means, consider technical gear. It’s streamlined, comfortable, flexible, and cost effective. It’s not just for deep and extreme diving. It’s functional and can be ideal for any type of diving. There’s a reason the best divers in the world use Tech Gear. Why shouldn’t you?