Abstract: The invention comprises a buoyancy compensator for supporting an air cylinder to the back of a scuba diver. The buoyancy compensator comprises a vest to be worn about the diver's torso and an inflatable air bladder assembly interconnected to the vest by tank straps which rigidly secure the air cylinder of the vest in a backpack configuration. The inflatable bladder assembly comprises a horseshoe-shaped configuration positioned over the cylinder with the sides of the air bladder assembly being positioned along the opposing sides of the air cylinder so at to not obstruct the diver's view or freedom of movement. The vest of the buoyancy compensator comprises a back section, an adjustable torso section, adjustable shoulder strap sections connected to the adjustable torso section and adjustable left and right waistband sections. The vertical adjustment of the torso section relative to the vest allows the height of the buoyancy compensator to be easily adjusted.

Abstract: A vest assembly for supporting an air cylinder to the back of a scuba diver, comprising a vest to be worn about the person's torso including a back section for supporting the air cylinder, a waist band section having left and right side portions for removably affixing about the person's waist, and a detachable shoulder section for positioning over the person's shoulders. The detachable shoulder section may be replaced by another shoulder section of a different torso length so as to provide a comfortable fit of the vest to the height of the person's torso.