The BCD, or buoyancy compensation/control device is a very important part of scuba gear since it gives the diver complete control over how buoyant they. At their most basic, a BCD is not really anything more than an inflatable vest or fancy life jacket that you will most commonly see used by lifeguards and swim instructors. A scuba BCD, and especially the Cressi Start BCD, however is much, much more than that. The Cressi Start BCD is the latest offering in the Cressi BCD range and is designed to stand up to the demanding conditions of dive training as well as rental facilities. The Cressi Start BCD when taken care of properly will give you years of use and will be one of your most dependable pieces of scuba gear.
If you want to know more about BCD’s please read our ‘What is a BCD‘ article for a full lowdown.
Specifications
- Material: 500 and 1000 denier Cordura
- Available in five different sizes: X Small, Small, Medium, Large, X Large
- Adjustable sternum strap
- 2 large accessory pockets with Velcro closures
- Ventral strap that is separate from the bag
- Rigid, padded back support panel
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Pros and Cons of the Cressi Start BCD
The Cressi Start BCD is another quality Cressi BCD offering. It is incredibly strong and durable, almost to the point where you could mistakenly think you are wearing a bulletproof jacket instead of a Cressi BCD. The Cressi Start BCD features three over-pressure dump valves. Two of them are positioned on both the left and the right shoulders, and the third one is lower on the rear right. There are two pull cords and a power inflator mechanism that allow you to manually dump all three valves.
Cressi BCD hasn’t forgotten about your accessories and instruments, either. They have included two large pockets for accessories that Velcro shut as well as two snap hooks and two plastic rings that make sure you will have room for all of your additional equipment. The Cressi Smart BCD might not be the fanciest BCD out there, but it is one of the most durable. Even if you end up sliding over rocks it will hardly show any signs of wear. Thanks to the intuitive placement of the dump valves, you should never have any problems with any left or right buoyancy issues. The Cressi Start BCD is a great option for new as well as veteran divers.
This Cressi BCD doesn’t have any integrated weights tin it, which while a detraction for some has benefits since some divers prefer to be able to dump a belt if necessary. Veteran divers may prefer more bells and whistles that the other Cressi BCD models may have to offer, but for beginner divers this is a great, affordable, and super durable BCD.
Extreme Sports Final Thoughts
The Cressi Start BCD provides excellent quality and value. It is simple to use so it makes a great BCD for those that are new to scuba diving. If you are just starting out, the Cressi Start BCD is a great choice and whilst you may at one point eventually think about upgrading once you become more advanced, the Cressi BCD is so durable that you could easily resell it if you so choose. Currently priced at between $194.95 and $279.99 depending on the size you choose, this is one of the more affordable BCDs on the market.
