lessphp fatal error: load error: failed to find /home4/undersea/public_html/blog/wp-content/themes/Underseas/style.less{"id":92,"date":"2015-07-10T08:48:23","date_gmt":"2015-07-10T13:48:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/underseas.com\/blog\/?p=92"},"modified":"2015-07-10T09:02:03","modified_gmt":"2015-07-10T14:02:03","slug":"the-types-of-buoyancy-compensators-and-how-they-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.underseas.com\/blog\/the-types-of-buoyancy-compensators-and-how-they-work\/","title":{"rendered":"The Types of Buoyancy Compensators and How They Work"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Aqua<\/a><\/p>\n

In the early days of diving, there were no Buoyancy Compensator Devices (BCD\u2019s). The diver just used a back plate and harness system to keep they tank secured to their back. For this reason, all scuba divers in the years prior to the invention of the BCD had to be good watermen, having to control their buoyancy solely on their breath control underwater, and swimming ability at the surface. The first recreational BCD was produced in 1970 and has continued to develop since then into an integral piece of diving equipment. \u00a0They come in two main\u00a0types and offer many\u00a0different features.<\/p>\n

How Your BC Works<\/h2>\n

Before we list the main types of BCD\u2019s available on the market today, let\u2019s first explore how your BC works in the first place. There are three main purposes for using a BC. The first is to be able to float (maintain positive buoyancy) at the surface before and after your dive. The second is to allow you to fine tune your buoyancy underwater during your dive. The third, and most overlooked purpose to using a BC is to secure your tank to your body.<\/p>\n

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3 Main Functions of Your BCD:<\/h3>\n

Float at the surface<\/em>
\n Create neutral buoyancy underwater<\/em>
\n To hold your tank<\/em><\/p>\n

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Features\u00a0of Every BCD<\/h2>\n

Your tank is attached to the BCD by strong nylon straps and a backpack-style tank mount. Your regulator attached to your tank is then attached to your power inflator via a low-pressure inflator hose<\/strong>. This is how you inflate your BCD \u201cbladder\u201d with air. The inside of your BCD contains the air bladder<\/strong>, which is what holds the air in the BC. Your BC will come with a built in pressure release valve<\/strong>, protecting the air bladder from over inflating. It automatically dumps air once the bladder fills to it\u2019s maximum capacity. Most BC\u2019s will have multiple dump valves<\/strong> as well, allowing you, the diver, to let air out of your BC quickly by pulling on a cord to open the valve. Lastly, most modern BC\u2019s come with integrated weight systems<\/strong>. These are pockets on either side of the BC made to hold the diver\u2019s weights so they do not have to wear a weight belt. These pockets are made with quick release features to quickly dump the air in an emergency.<\/p>\n

Types of BCD's<\/h1>\n

Listed above\u00a0are all of the basic features of modern Buoyancy Compensators. These features will be found on almost all BCD\u2019s you see in your local dive store. There are however, two styles of BC\u2019s you will have to choose from: Jacket Style BC\u2019s and Back-Inflate BC\u2019s.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0 Jacket Style BC\"AquaLung<\/a><\/h2>\n