KLJ
Registered
Hi all,
I just did my PADI OW Certification this weekend and to be perfectly honest, I am absolutely hooked. I love it. I can't wait for more. In fact, if the conditions look good I'll be at Breakwater this weekend.
Before I get to my questions - first and foremost, I want to say thank you! I have been amazed at the inclusive and supportive environment fostered here on scuba board and by all the divers I have met on the beach and in my classes. I am truly beginning to feel like a member of the diving community and I appreciate it immensely.
So since I'm new and extremely excited, I realize I am going to need to go buy some gear instead of spending the same amount on rentals.
I own a 7mm Bare Wetsuit and 5mm Moreno Hooded Vest. This weekend, I wore 30lbs of weight (16 on a weight belt, 10 as integrated ripcords, and 4 in trim weights) with my rental BC. When I was returning my rentals at the shop, the Zeagle Express Tech BC caught my eye. My dive buddy and boyfriend uses a wing and plate system and I really like it. I am thinking this might be the way to go, but wanted to ask around first.
I read the scubaboard posts by NetDoc and mm2613, which were very helpful... but neither are diving Monterey so I was hoping to get some thoughts from divers who routinely dive those areas.
My biggest concern is if the 24lbs of lift will be enough. From class, my understanding is that a large part of the weight I need is simply to compensate for the bouyancy of the wetsuit and the padding in the BCD. If I was perfectly weighted, the only other weight I'd need other than that would be to compensate for the weight of the air that I lose while breathing so that I can remain neutrally bouyant at the end of the dive with an almost empty tank- an aluminum 80 in my case. My feeling is that, if I get my weighting almost perfect then 24lbs should be enough. Am I on the right track? Any help you can provide would truly be appreciated.
Thank you again!
-Katie
I just did my PADI OW Certification this weekend and to be perfectly honest, I am absolutely hooked. I love it. I can't wait for more. In fact, if the conditions look good I'll be at Breakwater this weekend.
Before I get to my questions - first and foremost, I want to say thank you! I have been amazed at the inclusive and supportive environment fostered here on scuba board and by all the divers I have met on the beach and in my classes. I am truly beginning to feel like a member of the diving community and I appreciate it immensely.
So since I'm new and extremely excited, I realize I am going to need to go buy some gear instead of spending the same amount on rentals.
I own a 7mm Bare Wetsuit and 5mm Moreno Hooded Vest. This weekend, I wore 30lbs of weight (16 on a weight belt, 10 as integrated ripcords, and 4 in trim weights) with my rental BC. When I was returning my rentals at the shop, the Zeagle Express Tech BC caught my eye. My dive buddy and boyfriend uses a wing and plate system and I really like it. I am thinking this might be the way to go, but wanted to ask around first.
I read the scubaboard posts by NetDoc and mm2613, which were very helpful... but neither are diving Monterey so I was hoping to get some thoughts from divers who routinely dive those areas.
My biggest concern is if the 24lbs of lift will be enough. From class, my understanding is that a large part of the weight I need is simply to compensate for the bouyancy of the wetsuit and the padding in the BCD. If I was perfectly weighted, the only other weight I'd need other than that would be to compensate for the weight of the air that I lose while breathing so that I can remain neutrally bouyant at the end of the dive with an almost empty tank- an aluminum 80 in my case. My feeling is that, if I get my weighting almost perfect then 24lbs should be enough. Am I on the right track? Any help you can provide would truly be appreciated.
Thank you again!
-Katie