CAPTAIN SINBAD
Contributor
This is a question for seasoned drysuit users.
After my drysuit class I just purchased my first drysuit. Before I head out to try it on boats, I want to know what is the best procedure for determining the ideal weight when using a drysuit? For Wetsuits I knew that if I am diving a 3mm suit in salt water with AL 80s, I have to use X pounds on the belt. That number would never change.
For a Drysuit it could vary because your undergarments change season to season. I got my drysuit certification during peak winters and had to dive in the snow using a lot of thermal protection. These dives will be different and so would be the lead.
So what exactly is the best procedure for weighting yourself before a dive? I am thinking I could load up the lead on my belt using a wild guess. Then jump in the water from a dive boat, hang on to the ladder and have the DM pass weight to me until I feel I can sink with just releasing my breath.
Second way of doing it could be ... weight myself in a sweet water pond with exactly the same undergarment that I plan on using in the boat. Then add 15% more weight during my real dive to compensate for salt water.
Makes sense? or no.
After my drysuit class I just purchased my first drysuit. Before I head out to try it on boats, I want to know what is the best procedure for determining the ideal weight when using a drysuit? For Wetsuits I knew that if I am diving a 3mm suit in salt water with AL 80s, I have to use X pounds on the belt. That number would never change.
For a Drysuit it could vary because your undergarments change season to season. I got my drysuit certification during peak winters and had to dive in the snow using a lot of thermal protection. These dives will be different and so would be the lead.
So what exactly is the best procedure for weighting yourself before a dive? I am thinking I could load up the lead on my belt using a wild guess. Then jump in the water from a dive boat, hang on to the ladder and have the DM pass weight to me until I feel I can sink with just releasing my breath.
Second way of doing it could be ... weight myself in a sweet water pond with exactly the same undergarment that I plan on using in the boat. Then add 15% more weight during my real dive to compensate for salt water.
Makes sense? or no.