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Scuba Diving BCs: Behind-The-Scenes Photos of ScubaLab's Gear Review Part 2

By Robby Myers | Published On July 5, 2016
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Scuba Diving BCs: Behind-The-Scenes Photos of ScubaLab's Gear Review Part 2

Scubalab 2016 bc gear test at Blue Grotto

Scubalab 2016 bc gear test at Blue Grotto

John Michael Bullock

So Many BCs, So Little Time
When we contacted gear manufacturers to get their newest BCs, we received a whopping 18 models.

ScubaLab spent two days in April scuba diving at Blue Grotto in Williston, Florida. Why, you ask? To test out the latest BCs for our 2016 gear review, of course! We're inviting you behind the curtain and under the water with a behind-the-scenes look at how we evaluate BCs during our in-water testing. You can check out the first part of this behind-the-scenes gallery here.

SEE ALL OF SCUBALAB'S GEAR TESTS

Scubalab 2016 bc test at Blue Grotto

Scubalab 2016 bc two days test at Blue Grotto

John Michael Bullock

Round 2
We had so many BCs to test that we broke the test into two days. Day 1 was jacket-style and women's BCs, Day 2 was back-inflate and travel bcs.

Scuba diver Blue Grotto BC gear test

Robby Myers swims all types of orientation to test the stability

John Michael Bullock

Roll Over
Assistant Editor Robby Myers swims upside down, sideways, and any other orientation he can think of to test the stability of the tank support.

Scuba diver Blue Grotto BC gear test

Mary Frances Emmons makes some notes on her underwater slate

John Michael Bullock

Deep Thoughts
Deputy Editor Mary Frances Emmons makes some notes about one of the BCs on her underwater slate.

Scubalab 2016 bc test at Blue Grotto

Test divers evaluated BCs

John Michael Bullock

Making The Grade
Test divers evaluated BCs on a number of criteria including their comfort and adjustability, cargo pockets, valve operation, and weight systems.

ScubaLab BC test Blue Grotto

Tom Wuest prepares the next set of underwater scoring sheets

John Michael Bullock

Surface Interval
Test Supervisor, Tom Wuest, prepares the next set of underwater scoring sheets while the test divers swap over to a new BC.

Scubalab 2016 bc test at Blue Grotto

It's important to keep track of who's tested what

John Michael Bullock

Keeping Score
With 18 BCs (each in multiple sizes) and half as many test divers it's important to keep track of who's tested what.

Scubalab 2016 bc test at Blue Grotto

Its important to set up the BC and attach it to the tank.

John Michael Bullock

Some Assembly Required
An important part of the test criteria was how easy it was to set up the BC and attach it to the tank.

Scubalab 2016 bc test at Blue Grotto

Patricia Wuest enters Blue Grotto

John Michael Bullock

Enter The Fray
Editor-In-Chief Patricia Wuest enters Blue Grotto to test out the newest BCs on the market.

Scubalab 2016 bc test at Blue Grotto

Test diver familiarizes himself with a BC

John Michael Bullock

Switching It Up
A test diver familiarizes himself with a BC before getting into the water.

OUR REVIEW IS NOW ONLINE! CHECK OUT SCUBALAB'S 2016 BC TEST.