A well fitting dive BCD does far more than keeping you afloat at the surface: it allows you to maintain precise neutral buoyancy underwater; maintain a good trim; reduce air consumption and  move effortlessly on your dive. For underwater photographers- the type of BCD you use can be a complete game changer for your your shooting! Dive BCDs can be attached to scuba tanks in two different ways (backmount or sidemount). There are many variations of the name including BCD, BC, BCV, or BV depending on the manufacturer and country of origin, but in this article, let's stick with BCD and dive into helping you choose the right Scuba BCD for your comfort, safety, and needs.

With so many different styles of BCDS to choose from, such as jacket-style; back-inflation; and backplate and wing BCDs, choosing the perfect BCD for your needs can be overwhelming. So our team of dive professionals accepted the challenge, packed our gear, and headed out diving to test today's leading BCDs in order to seperate the truely great from the meerly good. As we tested each of the BCDs in our line, we evaluated each model on their comfort, buoyancy control, durability, travel friendliness, and overall performance. (I must admit- this was an enjoyable test to do!). Once our tests were completed- we compared notes and favorites to create this guide. Whether you are looking to buy your first ever personal BCD, the best travel BCD available, or you are looking for a worthwhile upgrade, I hope that this guide will help you find the right BCD for your diving style, budget and level. 

Advanced recreational divers, technical divers, and underwater photographers looking for a BCD with precise buoyancy control, and a design that can develop with their diving.

Beginners who are looking for an intuitive, simple jacket-style set-up, or travellers looking for lightweight gear.

We tested the Halcyon Infinity during one of our dive trips to the Galápagos. One of the first things that impressed our team was the range of lift capacities available. Once underwater, however, the standout feature was stability and how easy it was to achieve perfect trim. Although this BCD appears to be minimalistic, the padding on the backplate and harness made it surprisingly comfortable.

Trim weights are small pockets that you leave on either side of the back-mounted tank. Additional tank trim weights are small weights that are usually attached near the base of an aluminum cylinder. They keep the cylinder from tipping over when it's side-mounted and the gas is being consumed.

Taking into account the usual rule of thumb of 10% of body weight, this is what the theoretical lifting capacity of your BCD should be, right? In terms of lifting capacity, which is usually expressed in N (Netwon). One N is 0.225 lbf (pound force) so to get the math right consider the following:

• Amount of lead weight used (10% rule)
• Weight of dive gear (BCD, Regulator, Wetsuit, Fins, Mask)
• Weight of tanks

When using steel tanks in twin packs, the lift limit can be reached pretty easily. Also, XS or even smaller BCDs don't have much lift, just because the bladder is smaller. My wife, who is an SSI Instructor Trainer and has been a professional diver for over 15 years, has struggled with the buoyancy limits of her XS BCD for most of her career. She ended up using a larger size when guiding or teaching to be able to carry extra weights for stints or as backup for her dive group.

Understanding the used material can help you make the best choice when finding the right BCD. Denier is a measurement of thread thickness in the material used for BCDs. Threads with a high denier rating, like 1200, are super resistant to scratches and rubbing. Think bumping against a sharp edge on a wreck or rubbing against rough surfaces in caves or caverns. They're not quite as resistant to punctures, though, like when you press a pointed object against them. On the other hand, low denier, like 420, is more resistant to punctures but more susceptible to scratches.

A lower denier makes the BCD lighter, which is great for travel, but a higher denier adds durability but makes it heavier. These days, many BCD manufacturers combine different denier panels to get the best of both worlds.

BCD pockets have come a long way in the last few years. Typical jacket-style BCDs have more room for pockets thanks to the front bouncy bladder design. When the first back inflation or hybrid BCDs came out, roll-up technology made it possible to have pockets in the most minimalistic BCD. It's a great way to store all the gadgets you need, from DSMBs, reels, cameras, pointer sticks, and more, to avoid dangling gear. Or even better, you can use it to store the rubbish you might find on your next dive adventure.

It's also handy to have special attachment mounts for dive knives, torches, or action-cam pole sticks.   

With a degree in Ichthyology (fish) and Zoology, she has a strong passion for the underwater environment and marine conservation. She is equally passionate about sharing her love for diving, and dive gear, with fellow SCUBA enthusiasts.

With much experience in handling and upkeeping SCUBA gear, Jamie has a strong understanding of dive equipment functionality, individual diver necessities, and the latest trends in the diving industry. She is eager to share her insights with you!