Confused by the different brands?
All of the modular backplate and wing systems we sell are modular, and will work when mixing between component brands.
Just because you have a particular brand of backplate doesn't mean you need to buy the same manufacture harness and wing.
Different manufacturers each have their own features and selling points, and like everything there are pros and cons which matter differently to different divers.
We usually hear this from divers who have always worn a jacket style BC, and we'd like to point out that it's irrelevant. It's true, that boating regulations require an approved wearable Personal Floatation Device (PFD) to float the unconscious victim face up in the water. But a Buoyancy Control Device (BCD) for scuba divers is not designed to be a PFD for an unconscious boating accident victim, regardless if the BC is jacket or back inflation.
We offer back inflation style options because experienced divers have learned the back inflation BCD is better than a jacket BCD, offering very precise control of buoyancy and trim as well as offering a more streamlined profile. An improperly fitted back inflation BCD might cause you to tip forward, but a properly fitted back inflation BCD, worn with a crotch strap, will allow you to assume and hold any position under the water, or on the surface.
When on the surface, divers new to back inflation will need to break the habit of holding down the power inflator until they feel squeeze (there won't be any), or hear the OPV release. With an over inflated air cell they will have a huge amount of buoyancy on their back, causing them to float too high in the water and tip forward. Instead, they should add only enough gas until their head is just above the water.
Finally, a very common error when selecting a back inflation BCD is to choose an buoyancy aircell (called a 'wing') that is much too big, causing a 'taco effect' that makes managing buoyancy considerably more difficult. The cylinder size, type and configuration, not lift capacity, is the best guide to selecting the correct wing. While many doubles wing designs can be adjusted for occasional use with singles, keep in mind they are not designed to be used primarily as singles wings and they are not optimal with singles. Unless you are diving one of the very large steel cylinders, a 30 lb (14 kg) is about the maximum lift you need for single tank sport diving.
Dive gear is incredibly dependable, but it is life support equipment, engineered to take you where humans aren't designed to go. Each piece of scuba gear has a specialised purposed and the aspects surrounding product education, fit, function and service may be as important to you personally as is the equipment itself. It's all part of the value equation, and why it is important to get your dive gear serviced regularly by an acknowledged expert scuba repair and service centre.
The Scuba Doctor offers full sport, recreational, technical and commercial dive equipment servicing and repairs. This includes servicing for ALL makes of regulators, cylinder testing, O2 Cleaning, shot blasting and dry suit repairs, to name just a few.
We have trained scuba technicians ensuring that there is someone qualified to provide assistance and advice on diving equipment maintenance matters.
Scuba equipment servicing can be done overnight if really necessary, however, we generally ask for more time to sort it out and do it right. The chances are that we will have it done quicker than almost anywhere else, but if you are on a tight schedule please let us know and we will do what we can for you.
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As well as selling scuba gear from many of the world's best manufacturers of diving equipment, The Scuba Doctor can also Service and Repair every line of commercial, technical and recreational scuba diving equipment we carry. This includes:
Our scuba servicing technicians have undertaken dive manufacturer's approved technicians courses for most of the major brands of scuba dive gear and diving equipment on the market. Plus, there is not much that we can't do with other brands with the years of scuba service and repair experience behind us, including:
You can rest assured that your dive equipment is in good hands.
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Our prices are fair and reflect the time spent servicing your scuba equipment. It is worth pointing out, that we do not cut corners when it comes to servicing. We only use manufacturers approved service kits and always replace every part recommended by the manufacturer. This may not make our scuba servicing charges the cheapest around, but at least it gives you the peace of mind that your life support equipment is being maintained correctly.
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tel. +61 3 5985 1700 :: email. diveshop@scubadoctor.com.au :: Web site by it'sTechnical 2022