Posted by Eins on December 10, 2000 at 22:33:10:
In Reply to: Re: My 2c posted by AADIVER on December 10, 2000 at 21:59:00:
would be hard to measure for a diver who can only dive with either or. It would take some kind of test machine to really measure the difference.
That being said, I do notice an incredible acceleration between finning along with my arms crossed before my chest and quickly opening the arms and holding them along the body, streamlined. The increase in speed is very noticeable, and I can imagine that a full pair of BC pockets has a drag coefficient similar to crossed arms.
Your problem of needed storage is a very valid point, though. I solved that for myself by using the two zippered pockets on my drysuit. They hold as much and are easier to access than my old BC but are located within the slipstream of my shoulders and therefore create less drag.
Such pockets can be added to any dry- or wetsuit.
Eins