Michael.52
Registered
I've just got back from my second dive with my new gear configuration, and would be glad to hear your advice, opinions, feedback, and anything else useful that is relevant or related...
Background:
I got a 25lbs lift bladder, with a SS 5.5lbs plate. I weigh 60kg, and compared to divers around me, I usually find the water a bit colder than them.
Most my diving is as an assistant instructor in the dive-season in the Red sea - quite stable water temperatures. I also dive with friends from college a bit in the Mediterranean - which has a vaster temperature range.
I Own a 3mm and 7mm full wetsuit, and also a 3mm chicken vest with hood, which gives me enough options to switch around etc. to have a comfortable temperature in whichever season I am diving (except winter Mediterranean).
Yesterday's dive: Med sea, 3mm suit, 4 pounds on belt, 12L aluminum tank.
I Knew in advanced I would be over weight, but I intended to test my gear with the extra weight since next week I'll be in the Red Sea where if I am at work, I might have to use a weight belt when working and demonstrating drills to other divers.
I also noticed my inflator controls were relatively short to my previous BC. They only just reach about an inch ABOVE my nipple's height.
Today's dive: Med sea, 3mm suit, no belt, 7L aluminum tank.
On the surface I did the weight check (empty BC, full lungs, exhale)...with full lungs I sunk at a moderate pace.
After the ascent at the end of the dive, I chose to orally inflate my BC. Since one's mouth and lungs aren't a power inflator, the bladder wouldn't achieve it's best capacity, but was inflated enough to give me positive buoyancy, but when feeling it with my hand, it was still quite soft...I wonder what would happen if I would have to use it to support a distressed diver in rougher conditions...
Some of the points to discuss:
Did I purchase the wrong backplate or too small a bladder?
How critical is it being over weighted, considering that most the weight is near my centre of buoyancy, instead of on my hips?
Is there a reason I am unaware of that they make such short corrugated hoses for certain inflators?
Background:
I got a 25lbs lift bladder, with a SS 5.5lbs plate. I weigh 60kg, and compared to divers around me, I usually find the water a bit colder than them.
Most my diving is as an assistant instructor in the dive-season in the Red sea - quite stable water temperatures. I also dive with friends from college a bit in the Mediterranean - which has a vaster temperature range.
I Own a 3mm and 7mm full wetsuit, and also a 3mm chicken vest with hood, which gives me enough options to switch around etc. to have a comfortable temperature in whichever season I am diving (except winter Mediterranean).
Yesterday's dive: Med sea, 3mm suit, 4 pounds on belt, 12L aluminum tank.
I Knew in advanced I would be over weight, but I intended to test my gear with the extra weight since next week I'll be in the Red Sea where if I am at work, I might have to use a weight belt when working and demonstrating drills to other divers.
I also noticed my inflator controls were relatively short to my previous BC. They only just reach about an inch ABOVE my nipple's height.
Today's dive: Med sea, 3mm suit, no belt, 7L aluminum tank.
On the surface I did the weight check (empty BC, full lungs, exhale)...with full lungs I sunk at a moderate pace.
After the ascent at the end of the dive, I chose to orally inflate my BC. Since one's mouth and lungs aren't a power inflator, the bladder wouldn't achieve it's best capacity, but was inflated enough to give me positive buoyancy, but when feeling it with my hand, it was still quite soft...I wonder what would happen if I would have to use it to support a distressed diver in rougher conditions...
Some of the points to discuss:
Did I purchase the wrong backplate or too small a bladder?
How critical is it being over weighted, considering that most the weight is near my centre of buoyancy, instead of on my hips?
Is there a reason I am unaware of that they make such short corrugated hoses for certain inflators?