I just wanted to share my experience with this issue, warn others of this potential problem, and start a discussion getting input from more experienced divers. I had no problem with wrap-around BCD’s in certification, the one provided fit relatively well and I did not encounter significant currents or wave action during my certification dives. During my first dive trip to the BVI, on 2 of the 14 dives, I found myself on the surface in significant current (without enough air to dive and swim below the current) and in significant wind and wave action. I found myself getting exhausted at the surface due to these issues but in still in control. We are all taught when at the surface to inflate our BCD’s for good buoyancy, particularly if having trouble. However, with the wrap around BCD I had rented this produced some serious chest squeeze and restricted my breathing (I have to say it was almost like being wrapped up by a python with each successive breath being more restricted…for me it was a real phenomenon… I had sore ribs up to a week and a half after the trip). I was not too proud to tell my buddy I was having problems before I got into real trouble and he was kind enough to give me a tow to the boat for the last 30 to 40 yard (I still had trouble breathing during the tow due to the (over)inflation of the BCD). The second time I found myself in this situation I simply got out of the BCD, flipped it and swam on top of it without further problems. However, the more experienced divers in our group had never heard of the chest squeeze being a problem. After the experience of renting poor fitting gear and having problems with chest squeeze on the wrap around BCD, I bought my own gear, back flotation only, an Aqualung/Seaquest Balance, it fits well, and with back flotation only, no chest squeeze whatsoever. Problem solved for me. I reflect on this experience and wonder what percentage of divers having problems at the surface might be experiencing this particular problem. I have not taken a rescue diver course but know from my open water certification to make sure a distressed or panicked diver has a fully inflated BCD….but what if the chest squeeze is actually creating the problem in the first place????? I wanted to warn others of this potential problem, and get feedback if possible, from more experienced divers and/or instructors on the issue. |