Meltron's Stratus BC

FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT,
COMFORT AND BACK FLOTATION

by Jim Walker
Photo by Bonnie J. Cardone

Traditional BC designs place the air chambers around the torso, which suits many divers perfectly. However, some divers prefer more freedom in an open design, with the flotation chambers at the back, beside the scuba tank. While such back flotation units have been around for a long time, few can achieve the level of comfort provided by Meltron's Stratus. Combining tremendous freedom of movement with tank stabilization, full adjustability and a rugged, low profile design, the Stratus fits like an old friend; the kind who knows how to stay out of your way. And, this comfort remains the same, with the air chamber empty or inflated to the full 50 pounds of lift!

The backmounted, horseshoe shaped air chamber can offer such tremendous lift and remain low profile because of its advanced engineering. As the inner, polyurethane bladder inflates in its zipper-accessed envelope, it expands backward, around the tank, by stretching elastic mesh. The front half of the envelope doesn't expand, as it is made of tough, 420 denier nylon (as is the rest of the BC). This material not only doesn't stretch, it protects the front, 'business' side of the air bladder.

The tank is stabilized by a shroud of double layer nylon and secured by two nylon webbing tank bands with cam-action buckles and touch-fastener closures. This stable tank cradle (and its nylon carry strap) is an integral part of the padded, flexible, saddle-like BC harness that encloses the diver's torso.

The harness system features several adjustments. First, it secures via a wide, padded, touch-fastener closing cummerbund (removable). Outside the cummerbund, the front panels of the harness are held in place by an adjustable nylon webbing strap with a quick-release buckle. The shoulder straps are also wide and padded. Not only are they adjustable, with quick-release buckles, they can be removed completely, via additional quick-release buckles at the back of the harness. If desired, the diver can secure the two shoulder straps across the chest with an adjustable webbing strap (removable). Because of the removable shoulder straps and cummerbund, any given BC size (M, L, XL) can be customized to suit an individual diver's torso length and circumference.

One of the best features of the Stratus is its integrated weight pockets. On each side of the BC, behind the large accessory pocket, there is a zipper accessed pocket, accommodating up to 15 pounds of weight (30 pounds total). These weight pockets can be instantly dumped by the diver or a rescuer by yanking down on the bright yellow webbing straps, which pull away touch-fastener tabs and open the bottoms of the pockets. By taking some or all of the weight off the weightbelt, the integrated system increases comfort, reduces back strain and adds stability because flotation and weight are in the same place.

The Stratus has a combination power/manual inflator attached to the left shoulder via a corrugated hose. (The hose secures to the left shoulder strap with a touch-fastener closure.) Air can be vented from the BC manually, by holding the inflator over the head and pressing the end button. It can also be vented by pulling down on the hose, which opens an overpressure/dump valve where the hose attaches to the shoulder. A second overpressure valve is on the back, bottom right of the air chamber. The attached pull cord allows it to be used as a manual dump when the diver is in a head-down position.

In addition to the large, touch-fastener closing accessory pockets, the Stratus offers other extras. There are two large, stainless steel D-rings and four Delrin D-rings for attaching accessories. Using the D-ring above the right pocket, a clip-on hose fastener (supplied) secures the octopus second stage. The D-ring inside the right pocket can be used as an attachment point for keys.

Providing all the extras in a rugged, open design, the Stratus BC definitely lets you put discomfort behind you. It is available in all black or black with blue trim, as shown here and has a suggested retail price of $350. For more information or the name of your nearest Meltron dealer, call Dura Pro Systems at (800) 345-6634.