BC size question

I have a question about the size of BC I should buy. Judging from the size
charts I've seen, I either need a medium or large, but I'm not sure which.
I am 6'1" tall, 175 lbs, chest 41", waist 35", hips 38". In most respects
this puts me in the Large column, except for my waist, which is Medium.
I'm concerned that if I get a large BC, it might be too loose around my
waist and thus not be secure when I dive.

If I've found a BC that fits me in the chest but is a little loose around
my waist, is that a better choice than a smaller size of the same model
which fits snuggly around the waist but is at or near the far end of
adjustment in the chest?

Is my height really all that important when considering a BC that doesn't
have a crotch strap?

All other things being equal, if my choice is a BC that might be slightly
too big vs. a BC that might be slightly too small, which should I choose?
I'm guessing, get the larger one and cinch it down to fit.

Thanks,
Steve

"Schlosrat" <schlosrat@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:Xns9490A8B204E10schlosrat@68.6.19.6...
> I have a question about the size of BC I should buy. Judging from the
size
> charts I've seen, I either need a medium or large, but I'm not sure which.
> I am 6'1" tall, 175 lbs, chest 41", waist 35", hips 38". In most respects
> this puts me in the Large column, except for my waist, which is Medium.
> I'm concerned that if I get a large BC, it might be too loose around my
> waist and thus not be secure when I dive.
>
> If I've found a BC that fits me in the chest but is a little loose around
> my waist, is that a better choice than a smaller size of the same model
> which fits snuggly around the waist but is at or near the far end of
> adjustment in the chest?
>
> Is my height really all that important when considering a BC that doesn't
> have a crotch strap?
>
> All other things being equal, if my choice is a BC that might be slightly
> too big vs. a BC that might be slightly too small, which should I choose?
> I'm guessing, get the larger one and cinch it down to fit.
>
> Thanks,
> Steve

Get one that fits the chest and have the shop fit a cummerbund band that
fits your waist. Most are just velcroed in anyway so it's simple to switch
them for another size.

rhys

> I have a question about the size of BC I should buy. Judging from the
size
> charts I've seen, I either need a medium or large, but I'm not sure which.
> I am 6'1" tall, 175 lbs, chest 41", waist 35", hips 38". In most respects
> this puts me in the Large column, except for my waist, which is Medium.
> I'm concerned that if I get a large BC, it might be too loose around my
> waist and thus not be secure when I dive.

Try it on and see. That's the only way to be sure.
I'm about your size from the waist up, but not as tall. When I was wearing
a jacket style BCD, I wore a medium large, but there are no guarantees
except, of course, if you go to a plate and wing set which are pretty much
guaranteed to fit everybody.

> If I've found a BC that fits me in the chest but is a little loose around
> my waist, is that a better choice than a smaller size of the same model
> which fits snuggly around the waist but is at or near the far end of
> adjustment in the chest?

Cumberbund type BCDs tend to have quite a bit of room for adjustment. Belt
and buckle BCDs tend to have even more. Check out the manual to see if
there's a size adjustment for the Cumberbund. There was on mine.
Hopefully, you know that the jacket itself should not be particularly snug.
It needs room to expand.

> > Is my height really all that important when considering a BC that
doesn't
> > have a crotch strap?

It's not that important when considering one that does either. Crotch
straps are adjustable.

> > All other things being equal, if my choice is a BC that might be
slightly
> > too big vs. a BC that might be slightly too small, which should I
choose?

Neither. Get one that fits.

Lee

Yer a medium.

I'm 6'4", weight 200 lbs, and have a 34" waist. I'm a large. Next question?

Schlosrat left this mess on Sun, 15 Feb 2004 23:32:50 GMT for The Way to clean
up:
>
>I have a question about the size of BC I should buy. Judging from the size
>charts I've seen, I either need a medium or large, but I'm not sure which.
>I am 6'1" tall, 175 lbs, chest 41", waist 35", hips 38". In most respects
>this puts me in the Large column, except for my waist, which is Medium.
>I'm concerned that if I get a large BC, it might be too loose around my
>waist and thus not be secure when I dive.
>
>If I've found a BC that fits me in the chest but is a little loose around
>my waist, is that a better choice than a smaller size of the same model
>which fits snuggly around the waist but is at or near the far end of
>adjustment in the chest?
>
>Is my height really all that important when considering a BC that doesn't
>have a crotch strap?
>
>All other things being equal, if my choice is a BC that might be slightly
>too big vs. a BC that might be slightly too small, which should I choose?
>I'm guessing, get the larger one and cinch it down to fit.
>
>Thanks,
>Steve

Tao te Carl
"It takes a village to have an idiot." - Carl (c) 2003

(Kudos to Cap'n Jim Wyatt for this link) BEFORE you ask a dumb-ass question
here...http://www.speakeasy.org/~neilco/bart.gif

Schlosrat <schlosrat@hotmail.com> wrote:

>I have a question about the size of BC I should buy. Judging from the size
>charts I've seen, I either need a medium or large, but I'm not sure which.
>I am 6'1" tall, 175 lbs, chest 41", waist 35", hips 38". In most respects
>this puts me in the Large column, except for my waist, which is Medium.
>I'm concerned that if I get a large BC, it might be too loose around my
>waist and thus not be secure when I dive.

You'll have to try them on. I would start with a large.

I'm 6'0" 190 lbs, 43 inch chest and a 33-34 inch waist. I wear a large
Scubapro Knighthawk with no problem. The cumberbunds have a fairly
wide range of accomodation.



>
>If I've found a BC that fits me in the chest but is a little loose around
>my waist, is that a better choice than a smaller size of the same model
>which fits snuggly around the waist but is at or near the far end of
>adjustment in the chest?
>
>Is my height really all that important when considering a BC that doesn't
>have a crotch strap?
>
>All other things being equal, if my choice is a BC that might be slightly
>too big vs. a BC that might be slightly too small, which should I choose?
>I'm guessing, get the larger one and cinch it down to fit.

Well, that makes sense. You can always adjust down but it's hard to
add material....

In article <Xns9490A8B204E10schlosrat@68.6.19.6>,
Schlosrat <schlosrat@hotmail.com> writes:

>I have a question about the size of BC I should buy. Judging from the size
>charts I've seen, I either need a medium or large, but I'm not sure which.
>I am 6'1" tall, 175 lbs, chest 41", waist 35", hips 38". ...

Have you considered a backplate/harness/wings setup?

You are well within the range that a standard harness/backplate will
adjust to fit well. (_VERY_ few divers are outside that range.)
The good, comfortable fit that a backplate/harness/wings setup is a
major advantage. Other advantages have been well discussed here --
see the archives.

In any case, *DO* find a BC that fits well/comfortably. One that fits
poorly will seriously diminish the pleasure you derive from SCUBA diving.

--
Charlie Hammond -- Hewlett-Packard Company -- Ft Lauderdale FL USA
(hammond@not@peek.ssr.hp.com -- remove "@not" when replying)
All opinions expressed are my own and not necessarily my employer's.