California divers are self-reliant<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThis is reflected by the majority of them owning all of their gear and being knowledgeable about that gear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It also tends to mean there is an understanding of the terrain and conditions often found at their favorite dive sites, and purchasing gear for themselves that works best to dive there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
California diving can also include spearfishing, wreck diving, beach diving, lobster diving, night dives, and some other specialties or hunting that each require specific equipment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many divers have tried some or all of these, and have at one point owned gear for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In other words, I am surrounded by rugged divers with equally rugged gear, and have owned a few iterations of dive gear, myself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the most part, my core dive kit (which hasn\u2019t changed in 5 years) matches this California ruggedness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
My Biolite BCD is small and lightweight, though \u2013 so how has it held up so long in such a rugged environment? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nIf I had only been considering the Biolite BCD as an avid California diver, I may have gone with another option. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, when I purchased this BCD, I was new to California diving and often traveled to warmer climates for my scuba adventures (still do).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I loved that this BCD was small (it only weighs 5.5 pounds) and that it folded up compactly to shove into a suitcase or backpack because it lacks a stiff backplate structure (this is honestly the feature that sold me on it!).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n