TUSA Platina Evolution BC Review

TUSA Platina Evolution BC

To weight integrate or not? Weight belt? Or do you want your lead installed into your buoyancy compensator? I have tried both and although I dived with some great weight integrated BCs, I have remained a staunch user of the weight belt. But I may have found the weight integrated BC that will cause me to cross over the line.

The TUSA Platina Evolution is the culprit. This BC is TUSA latest release into the BC market, introduced just last year. The Evolution came quickly on the heels of the Platina BC, originally designed specifically for women. My wife tested the Platina and loved it. I envied the features, but the BC was much too small for my use.

The Evolution is a full-sized, full-featured weight integrated BC. While the women’s Platina BC could hold a total of about 20 pounds of lead, the Evolution can hold at least 30 pounds, probably more. I easily loaded two 5-pound lead bricks into each side compartments (20 pounds total) and then and additional 10 pounds in the back pouches, two 5-pound bricks, one on each side of the tank (non-releasable). The front side pouches install easily but stay in solid. The dumping of the lead takes a firm motion as the velcro cuts loose in a single motion “rip-rip” action. I’d rather have it like this, solid, than something sloppy that bangs around or could inadvertently come loose. I liked where the side pouches set on my body, around the hips but not on my hips. They seemed snug but not tight or restrictive. And, most importantly, the weight of the lead and the tank was evenly and effectively distributed across my body with very little strain.

The way the full tank assembly rides easy on the body is thanks to a combination of unique and patented TUSA features. As with other successful TUSA BCs, the Evolution uses the patented Independent Harness System. With this the “Ultimate Stabilizing Harness” is separate from bladder assembly. The tank, stabilized in dual rails, is supported by a firm, steady and fully adjustable harness, not just a saggy bladder. Second, this BC uses TUSA’s Tank Suspension System (patent pending). Simply put, this is a strap at the upper back of the BC that holds it closer to your body in a stable fashion. With the Evolution, this strap has made the improvement of being fully adjustable by stainless steel ‘D’ rings on the front of the shoulder straps. And finally, the Waist Support System (patent pending) allows for custom fitting at where the shoulder straps meet the waist strap. There are two adjustment points here to get the fit just right.

That was one of the things I really liked about this BC—adjustability. In addition to the adjustable waist support system, the cummerbund has two adjustment points in the rear to accommodate large waist divers. With the numerous and well thought out adjustment points, the XL-XXL version of this BC will fit divers that are quite large. This extra large capability also makes this a good possible BC choice for dry suit divers.

Air control has also long been a strong point of TUSA BCs. The inflator is soft touch, allowing just a puff as needed, or a full blast. The inflator hose assembly integrates a large pull dump and Over Pressure Exhaust Valve (O.P.E.V.) that prevents over inflation of the BC. The assembly is easily removed for cleaning. A pull on the hose dumps air. Additional dumps are located on the right rear for dumping during pike dives and a bonus third dump on the left shoulder.

Attention to small but important details finish off this BC to make it an excellent piece of equipment. The zippered pockets are huge. A padded carrying handle makes moving about the tank assembly easier. The buckle on the tank strap (which accommodates a variety of tank sizes) has numbered holes and arrows that tell you exactly how to thread the strap. The inflator hose secure strap is safety reflective. There are two large stainless steel accessory ‘D’ rings, one on each shoulder, and four smaller ones, two at the top of each side bladder, two at the bottom. You’ll also find a unique quick release accessory holder and hose clip.

For more information on the Platina Evolution buoyancy compensator, visit a dealer near you. California dealers are indicated in the Dive Store Directory section of this publication. For dealers elsewhere, call TUSA at (562) 498-3708 or visit their web site at http://www.tusa.com.

Dale Sheckler is Editor and Publisher of California Diving News, Producer of the annual SCUBA Show expo (each June in Long Beach, CA), and co-author of the book newly released A Diver's Guide to Southern California's Best Beach Dives, 3rd Edition.