Proper Weighting

[Carribeandiver]

As I have typed on here numerous times, somewhere around 90% or more of my dives have been in the friendly warm waters of the Carribean. I almost always use my .5 mil full suit because it provides skin cover and enough warmth to make me feel comfortable in that chilly 88F water.
But now, I have scheduled a dive trip for Roatan in January and I fear the water will be downright cold,, in the low 70's even maybe. I will have to resort to one of those real heavy suits, a 3 mil.
Now my question, I have discovered that 16 pounds is perfect for me with that .5 mil suit. A lot of weight, I think, but it is perfect for when my AL80 is empty and I want to remain neutral for that all important safety stop. Before that AL80 is empty, I just put a little air in my BCD.
But, do I now need to carry extra weight if I wear a 3 mil full suit? If so, how much, 2 pounds more? More than 2?
And geez, except for those rear trim pockets, most BCD's only allow for 20 pounds. If I need a bunch more, I sure do not want to wear a weightbelt in addition to the weights carried in my weight intergrated BCD. And I dont like weight in my trim pockets because it makes it harder for me to maintain proper horizental diving control. (Yea, I know that is my unique problem)
What do other people do? Surely other people need more weight than I do, dont they? Isnt 18 pounds an awful lot? (that's the 16 I usually don plus 2 extra for the bigger exposure suit) I might have to go to the gym to get stronger so I can make it to the exit while wearing that BCD with the extra weights.
Anyway, can anyone shed some light on this?

 

[TeddyDiver]

Now my question, I have discovered that 16 pounds is perfect for me with that .5 mil suit. A lot of weight, I think, but it is perfect for when my AL80 is empty and I want to remain neutral for that all important safety stop. Before that AL80 is empty, I just put a little air in my BCD.
But, do I now need to carry extra weight if I wear a 3 mil full suit? If so, how much, 2 pounds more? More than 2?
And geez, except for those rear trim pockets, most BCD's only allow for 20 pounds. If I need a bunch more, I sure do not want to wear a weightbelt in addition to the weights carried in my weight intergrated BCD. And I dont like weight in my trim pockets because it makes it harder for me to maintain proper horizental diving control. (Yea, I know that is my unique problem)
What do other people do? Surely other people need more weight than I do, dont they? Isnt 18 pounds an awful lot? (that's the 16 I usually don plus 2 extra for the bigger exposure suit) I might have to go to the gym to get stronger so I can make it to the exit while wearing that BCD with the extra weights.
Anyway, can anyone shed some light on this?

You are allready wearing a awful lot of weight. I don't need any weights with the same config.Chancing to 3 mil suit you'd take about 2,6kg/5lbs more weights.
As a raw rule I use it's 1kg/2lbs for each mil neoprene (full suit) or 1,5kg/3lbs with 2 piece suits.

 

[TheHobster]

with an alum 80 and a 3mm, I wear 6 lbs - and I am 50 lbs over my "playing" weight - you may need to spend some time in a pool, or locally and work out those issues - that just seems to be too much lead for such a thin suit

 

[harleythedog]

I dive mostly warm water as well, I think the coldest I have ever done was 70degrees... brrr...

with a skin or 1mm I use 6lbs with an AL80 and a BC, with a 3mm I use 12lbs. I am working my way down a bit as I know I could loose a little of the weight. Maybe lowering your needed weight from 16lbs to something less before you go, then you could use 16 with the 3mm. When I was doing my OW I was oveweighted and had 16lbs.

 

[boulderjohn]

I fully agree that you are packing way too much lead in the first place.

Different people need different weights, and more experienced divers usually need less because they are more relaxed and don't carry as much air in their lungs. You propbably cannot dive comfortably with the same weight as the previous posters at this time, but you should be a lot closer to that level than you are now.

Your stated concern is the end of a dive with an empty aluminum 80. See if you can get a chance to go into a pool with a nearly empty aluminum 80 and do a weight check. Add a little weight to that because of the difference between fresh and salt water.

If you can't do that, when you are in Roatan ask immediately for a chance to do a weight check. I have never seen a dive operator who would not be happy to help you work this out. The time spent doing this will be well worth it to you. Diving with proper weighting is much, much more enjoyable than dealing with all that extra lead and the extra air in the BCD needed to compensate for it.

 

[Ron Brandt]

Switch to a Back Plate / Wing configuration and shed some weight. With a SS BP you should not require much more than 3-8 lbs additional weight...in attached weight pockets.

Other wise switch to A Zeagle Ranger that will carry 32lbs of weight in the pockets.

Ron

 

[bfisher]

For what it's worth I dove Roatan this past January and water temperature was a constant 81 degrees. For that I wore my Microprene suit.

I'll not get into the amount of lead you may need. That's a personal issue. Best thing to do down there is jump in the water and find out what works. I used to lose sleep worrying about things like this. I've found there is no substitute for finding out what works by jumping into the water and see first hand.

 

[shakeybrainsurgeon]

But now, I have scheduled a dive trip for Roatan in January and I fear the water will be downright cold,, in the low 70's even maybe. I will have to resort to one of those real heavy suits, a 3 mil.

Obviously you don't do too much northern diving --- we consider 3 mil "thin"

 

[marcienko]

In NYC area 7 mm is standard.

Regards

Marcin

 

[Captain CaveMan]

http://dive.scubadiving.com/html/200105buoyancycalc_chart.html