Aqualung BCDs

Aqualung BCDs — Designed to Keep You in the Water Longer

Aqualung has been engineering buoyancy compensators since the early days of recreational diving. Their BCD range reflects decades of iteration, feedback from divers worldwide, and a handful of genuinely innovative technologies that have moved the industry forward. The most notable is i3 — Aqualung's patented inflation and deflation system that replaces the traditional power inflator hose with a simple side lever. It's exclusive to Aqualung and is one of the most intuitive buoyancy control systems available in recreational diving.

At DiveCatalog.com, we carry the full current Aqualung BCD lineup: jacket-style BCDs for recreational divers, back-inflate designs for more technical-minded divers, women's-specific cuts with shorter torso lengths and scalloped hip panels, the Rogue modular system, and a complete range of accessories including the SureLock II weight system and Modlock trim pockets. DiveCatalog.com is an authorized Aqualung dealer — every BCD sold carries the full manufacturer warranty.

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Aqualung's Core BCD Technologies

i3 / i3+ Inflation System (Exclusive to Aqualung)

The i3 system replaces the traditional inflator hose at the shoulder with a side-mounted lever at the hip. Pulling up inflates the bladder — in small taps or long holds for larger bursts. Pushing down simultaneously opens all exhaust valves at once, venting air without requiring the diver to change body position or reach overhead. It's a genuinely different control mechanism that many divers find more intuitive once they've adapted to it, particularly for buoyancy fine-tuning at depth. The i3+ adds enhanced low-pressure inflation sensitivity over the original i3 design.

Wrapture Harness System

The Wrapture is an ultra-thin inner harness that uses swiveling shoulder buckles and a proprietary mini-backpack design to hold the BCD snug against the body. It prevents the jacket from riding up at the surface — a common complaint with traditional jacket BCDs — and repositions the cylinder closer to the diver's center of gravity. The practical result is that you can stand upright on land with a full cylinder without leaning forward, and the harness distributes weight across your hips rather than pulling on your shoulders. Auto-adjusting swiveling buckles conform to your torso as you tighten webbing.

SureLock II Weight Release System

Aqualung's integrated weight pockets snap in with an audible click — divers know their weights are seated correctly without checking visually. A single smooth pull releases the weights in an emergency. The ditchable weight capacity varies by BCD and size, typically 20–30 lbs in the Axiom series. Non-ditchable pockets provide additional capacity for trim weights.

GripLock Tank Band

The GripLock system uses macro presets and a finger-saving mechanism to make attaching and detaching the cylinder straightforward and consistent. No complex web threading, and no pinched fingers during tank changes.

Bladder Retraction System

When the bladder deflates, a retraction system pulls the sides inward rather than leaving the bladder to flap loosely. This keeps the diver streamlined and reduces drag — particularly noticeable when swimming against current or making horizontal approaches to dive sites.

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The Aqualung BCD Range

Axiom i3+ — Flagship Jacket BCD (Men's & Women's)

The Axiom is Aqualung's top-of-the-line jacket BCD and the most feature-rich expression of the i3+ system. Men's and women's versions are both available — the women's Axiom uses a shortened harness design with scalloped sides to reduce hip pressure and accommodate shorter torsos. Built from 420 Denier Nylon, with a full bladder retraction system, swiveling buckles, SureLock II weight integration, GripLock tank band, and five stainless steel D-rings. Available in multiple colorways.

Pro HD — Jacket & Back Inflate (Men's & Women's)

The Pro HD is Aqualung's mid-range BCD, available in both jacket and back-inflate configurations and in men's and women's cuts. The jacket version uses the Wrapture harness system without i3, offering a traditional power inflator for divers who prefer the standard setup. The Pro HD Compact is a back-inflate design specifically built for travel — ultra-light, weight-integrated, and sized to pack efficiently. Available in compact sizing pairs (2XS/XS, S/M, ML, XL/2XL).

Dimension — Back Inflate BCD

The Dimension uses the Wrapture harness in a back-inflate configuration, delivering the harness comfort benefits of the Wrapture system in a streamlined back-inflate format. Available in standard and ML sizing for both genders. A good choice for divers moving from jacket to back-inflate for the first time who want the familiar Aqualung harness comfort.

Lotus — Women's Back Inflate BCD

The Lotus is the women's-specific back-inflate version in the Aqualung lineup, with the Wrapture harness system in a women's-cut design. Provides 35–40 lbs of lift with 20 lbs ditchable and 10 lbs non-ditchable weight capacity.

Wave — Entry Jacket BCD

The Wave is Aqualung's entry-level jacket BCD, built with fade-resistant Resistex fabric and available in extended sizing down to 3XS. A reliable, straightforward choice for new divers or rental operations. Available in multiple colorways including Black/Yellow and Black/Hot Lime.

Rogue — Modular Back-Inflate BCD

The Rogue is a modular back-inflate system whose harness components (shoulder assembly, back assembly, waistband) can be purchased and replaced independently. This makes it a cost-effective long-term option for divers who grow through different harness sizes, or who want to mix-and-match components. The main BCD is available in Small, Medium, and Large; harness assemblies are sold separately.

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Who Are Aqualung BCDs For?

Diver Type	Recommended BCD	Key Features
New & recreational divers	Wave, Pro HD Jacket	Traditional power inflator, weight-integrated, straightforward to learn
Advanced recreational with buoyancy focus	Axiom i3+	i3+ side lever, Wrapture harness, bladder retraction — most intuitive buoyancy control
Travel divers	Pro HD Compact	Ultra-lightweight back-inflate, compact sizing, packs efficiently
Women divers	Axiom i3+ Women's, Lotus, Pro HD Women's	Women's-specific cuts: shorter torso, scalloped hips, lighter materials
Divers wanting back-inflate trim	Dimension, Lotus, Rogue	Back-inflate with Wrapture harness comfort; better horizontal trim than jacket
Budget-conscious divers	Wave	Reliable Aqualung quality at entry price; available in full size run

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Why Buy Aqualung BCDs from DiveCatalog.com?

• Authorized Aqualung dealer — full manufacturer warranty on all BCDs
• Expert fitting advice — BCD fit is critical; our team can help you size correctly
• Men's, women's, and travel options available — we carry the full range
• Fast shipping — in-stock items ship within one business day
• Financing available — spread the cost of a premium Axiom or Dimension
• Rewards program — earn points on every purchase
• Easy returns — if sizing isn't right, we make exchanges straightforward

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Frequently Asked Questions — Aqualung BCDs

What is the i3 system and how is it different from a standard inflator?

A standard BCD uses a power inflator hose at the left shoulder — you press a button to add air and a button to release it. The i3 replaces this with a side lever at the hip: pull up to inflate, push down to dump all exhaust valves simultaneously. You don't need to reach overhead or change body position to deflate. Divers who adapt to it often find it more natural, especially for fine buoyancy adjustments at depth.

Is the i3 system hard to learn?

For new divers, no — they have no habits to un-learn. Experienced divers sometimes need a few dives to re-route muscle memory away from reaching for the shoulder inflator. Most find the adaptation straightforward after 2–3 dives.

What does the Wrapture harness do?

The Wrapture is Aqualung's proprietary inner harness that holds the BCD snug against your body using swiveling shoulder buckles and a mini-backpack design. It prevents the jacket from riding up at the surface, moves the cylinder closer to your center of gravity (so you can stand upright on land), and distributes tank weight more evenly across your torso and hips.

What's the difference between a jacket-style and back-inflate BCD?

A jacket BCD wraps buoyancy around your sides and back, which provides natural surface stability but can affect horizontal trim underwater. A back-inflate BCD concentrates buoyancy behind you, which promotes horizontal trim underwater but can push your face forward on the surface. Back-inflate suits divers who prioritize underwater positioning; jacket suits those who want stability on the surface or are newer to diving.

What is the SureLock II and how much weight does it hold?

SureLock II is Aqualung's integrated weight release system. Pockets snap in with an audible click and release with a single smooth pull. The Axiom series holds 20 lbs ditchable (XS–ML sizes) or 30 lbs ditchable (L–2XL) plus 10 lbs non-ditchable. Specific capacities vary by model — contact us if you need exact figures for a particular BCD.

Can I use a standard power inflator hose with the i3 BCD?

No. The i3 system replaces the traditional inflator entirely. The BCD includes a low-pressure inflator hose that connects to the BC's i3 mechanism. An oral inflation tube is also included for backup inflation without the LP hose.

What is the Pro HD Compact and who is it for?

The Pro HD Compact is a back-inflate BCD specifically designed for travel. It's ultra-lightweight, weight-integrated, and available in four broad size pairings (2XS/XS through XL/2XL) rather than individual sizes — the broader size ranges let it accommodate more body types without needing a full size inventory. It's a practical choice for divers who fly frequently and want to keep gear weight and bulk manageable.

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Whether you're looking for your first BCD or upgrading to Aqualung's flagship Axiom i3+ system, DiveCatalog.com has the right model for you. Browse the full collection above and reach out if you'd like help matching a BCD to your diving style and body type.