BCD lift what is it???

[Trever]

:confused: OK here is a question that I need answered. When I research information on BCD's each model I viewed had a certain amount of "Lift". Typicaly for a size large BCD the lift is around 50 pounds give or take 10 pounds. I am not sure what "Lift" is. I am assuming that it means that if I am 45 pounds negative bouyant at depth then I should have enough "lift" to get to the surface, if my BCD has 50 pounds of lift, but we all know what assuming does right? I have never had this term explained to me, not in class, and not in my class literature, and not even by my LDS. Perhaps thats why I bought my BCD on the internet. (Sorry LDS owners but this particular time my LDS owner did not earn his money).

[Atlaua]

:confused: OK here is a question that I need answered. When I research information on BCD's each model I viewed had a certain amount of "Lift". Typicaly for a size large BCD the lift is around 50 pounds give or take 10 pounds. I am not sure what "Lift" is. I am assuming that it means that if I am 45 pounds negative bouyant at depth then I should have enough "lift" to get to the surface, if my BCD has 50 pounds of lift, but we all know what assuming does right? I have never had this term explained to me, not in class, and not in my class literature, and not even by my LDS. Perhaps thats why I bought my BCD on the internet. (Sorry LDS owners but this particular time my LDS owner did not earn his money).

You pretty much assumed right. "Lift" is the positive bouyancy of the BCD when it's full. A pitfall to avoid, however, is assuming more lift is better. Ideally you will have just enough lift for what you need. 50lbs is entirely too much for a rec diver.

The more lift you have the "bigger" the air cell is. That bigger air cell will cause more drag, etc.

If you are diving in a wetsuit, you only need enough lift to compensate for wetsuit squeeze. If you are diving in a drysuit you'll need enough to lift you should the drysuit flood. Generally somewhere around 30lbs is a good figure for a rec diver.

Now if you're technical diving and have 2 steel tanks strapped to your back, 2 deco tanks hanging on your side, etc, etc, etc. Then you will need more lift, but you would ideally be using a doubles wing just for this setup and a smaller wing/bc for rec diving.

James

[Trever]

If you are diving in a wetsuit, you only need enough lift to compensate for wetsuit squeeze. If you are diving in a drysuit you'll need enough to lift you should the drysuit flood. Generally somewhere around 30lbs is a good figure for a rec diver.




Thanks for the answer and the additional information. I wish I would have asked this before I purchased my BCD. I may have purchased "to much lift". We will see how it works on the 7th at Cerulean.

[juls64]

Too much lift? I don't think so. Just carry more stuff. You know....like lights, knives, lift bags, compasses, cameras, pony bottles, etc.

Your LDS will be happy to sell you more gear so that your lift is "just right"!


;)Julie

[Atlaua]

If you are diving in a wetsuit, you only need enough lift to compensate for wetsuit squeeze. If you are diving in a drysuit you'll need enough to lift you should the drysuit flood. Generally somewhere around 30lbs is a good figure for a rec diver.




Thanks for the answer and the additional information. I wish I would have asked this before I purchased my BCD. I may have purchased "to much lift". We will see how it works on the 7th at Cerulean.

I was speaking of ideal. Ideally you want "just enough" to be more streamlined. If you got a BC with 50lbs of lift it will still dive just fine.

James

[Trever]

Too much lift? I don't think so. Just carry more stuff. You know....like lights, knives, lift bags, compasses, cameras, pony bottles, etc.

Your LDS will be happy to sell you more gear so that your lift is "just right"!


;)Julie

Yeah yeah yeah, so I get heavier and my wallet gets lighter. Actualy I did a great job over the winter stocking up on "needed items". I still need a good Camera though.

[DeepDiverBob]

Perhaps thats why I bought my BCD on the internet. (Sorry LDS owners but this particular time my LDS owner did not earn his money).

Sounds like it is time for a new LDS.