There is a free-floating overstrap on the waistband. Although the Sub Gear catalog indicates that the Sub Pro is well suited for female divers, the female test diver scores were poorer than the male test diver scores. The Cousteau is a sound BC that has been refined and distributed by U.S. Divers for a number of years. Progress by other BC manufacturers has tended to pass the Cousteau up, yet it still rates with this group of best BCs. The pockets are simple and easy to open.
Ascent control is hampered by valve flow rates and air trapping.
The secondary remote exhaust is located on the left rear bottom rather than the right rear bottom as is true of all the other outstanding BCs in this group. The Cousteau has hard plastic wings on the backpack that are at waist level, covered and well padded. They do not improve fit, comfort or stability and make it harder to handle the BC and tank out of the water. Top Jon Hardy is the director of RSD's ScubaLab.