I recently got a new BC (Buoyancy Compensator for the non-divers). I first learned to dive using a Subgear Drift. The time came for me to make my first diving road trip down to Key West. I wanted to have some of my own gear so I picked up a used ScubaPro Knighthawk. It was a back inflate design which most of my diver friends seemed to prefer. I quickly learned it was not for me. I wasn’t used to the way it would push me forward in the water. As a result, I got smashed in the face trying to board the dive boat in Key West. The waves had kicked up and I took the ladder right in the mask. Surprised it didn’t knock me out. I went home from Key West looking like I’d been in a bar fight. So I dropped that one off for a consignment sale. After that, I ordered a Drift.
First, I loved the simplicity of the Drift. It had drop-thru weight pockets, so no worrying about losing separate pockets. I dove with that BC for several years. But when I became an instructor, I decided that it was time for an upgrade. As I was instructing for a shop that sold Mares, I went with the Mares Dragon. It was a nice, comfy rig with lots of nice features. Except one…and that was the SLS weight pockets. They are kinda tricky to get locked in correctly. I dove with it at the lake, Grand Cayman and Curacao without much issue. I had changed the tank band to a double end which made swapping tanks much easier.
Then came this year’s trip to Cozumel. Dive with Martin usually sets up your gear if you are on their smaller boats. Of course it’s you own responsibility to make sure it’s done right. Early in the week, one giant stride and there went a weight pocket in about 60ft of water. One diver who saw it go past him picked it up and brought it to the divemaster who was about halfway down. He brought it back to me on the surface. So, saved that dive but then I was paranoid all week.
Thing is, I had already packed up a brand new Drift BCD, which I was going to make my travel gear. This one had my Air2 on it and had never been wet. I had taken the octo of my regulator already. But then I unpacked it and put in the dragon, which is aptly named when it comes to packing. Had to reconfigure my regulator too. And I regretted it all week.
If I could ever learn to get out of my own way, no telling what I could accomplish.
The Red Fins 