Buying a BCD, Sherwood AVID

A BCD (buoyancy control/compensator device) is a necessity. There are a few big ticket items you absolutely need when scuba diving and they can vary from person to person but a BCD, tank, regulators, and gauges/computer are the main four that come to mind.

Just like any sport there are many products/services offered through numerous companies all dedicated to providing goods to you but which one do you choose? My decision was to purchase the bulk of my gear through Sherwood and AKONA in part because the dive shop I was most associated with was a retailer of these brands.

When I first decided to purchase my own personal diving equipment I had little idea of what I would need but one thing was certain I would be investing in a BCD. The Sherwood AVID was my first large investment towards my scuba diving hobby. One way to ease the issue of picking out that perfect fit for you is by talking with various dive shops and asking fellow divers of their opinions on gear. When I was researching and prospecting for gear I ended up hopping from one dive shop to the next, probably checking out half a dozen before I finally decided.

What I've noticed is that in the three years that I've owned a Sherwood AVID it has been reliable and a worthwhile purchase. In the fifty plus dives that I've used this BCD I never had a problem with the system and with regular annual maintenance I hope that that BCD will last me ten more years.

Geared Up for a Good Time

In order to really gage whether or not one enjoys scuba diving they must be comfortable in the water, for that they may have to be willing to purchase their own equipment. Buying equipment is a big commitment to the sport and it may be daunting especially if you are second guessing the decision to pursue the certification but I noticed immediately after buying a Buoyancy Compensator Device (BCD) that I could relax and enjoy my time underwater.

Generally, the equipment that is rented out by the dive shops is not top of the line equipment, by any means. The BCDs, regulators, and wet-suits have all seen better days. For these reasons I choose to buy my own gear and by far I have no regret. Whenever I’m diving I want to feel safe and be able to trust that my gear won’t malfunction. By owning my gear and taking proper care of it (the annual inspections) I know that if an accident were to really occur it would be because of personal error not someone else. Preferably I feel more comfortable maintaining my gear, similar to setting gear up I’d rather do it myself (just so I know I did it correctly).

What I would recommend for those looking for their own equipment is to spend time researching. Diving is very individualized, not everyone uses the same equipment. There is a lot of variation and people need to be aware of what they are buying.