When purchasing a BC for scuba diving, consider the three features that become critical during an emergency underwater — buoyant lift that’s adequate for your weighting needs, easy-to-use exhaust valves and inflator hose, and easy-to-ditch integrated weights. Here are three new BCs that check off the list.

For more information on how to handle safe ascents while diving, check out our in-depth training column.

Seac Trip

With easy-release weight pockets and an efficient valve system for pinpoint buoyancy control, the lightweight Trip is a full-featured jacket-style BC with a wraparound bladder that offers plenty of stability underwater.
$549; seacusa.com

Genesis Scuba Gemini Drift

The jacket-style Drift includes a cummerbund that self-adjusts at depth, plus a rapid exhaust valve for efficient buoyancy control. The weight system uses top-loading weight pock- ets that release with a pull of the knob hanging below. $415; genesisscuba.com

Cressi Ultralight

This back-inflation BC is feather-light — a size medium weighs only 4.4 pounds yet provides 20 to 33.7 pounds of lift. The integrated weights are a snap to load and release, and the buttons on the ergonomic inflator are easy to locate. $419.95; cressiusa.com