Beating a Dead Horse: BP/W Lift for Deep, Cold, Wet Dives

[ams511]

Is that correct?

I remember something similar. I also remember him going on about divers compensating for this overweighting by using high-lift wings and double-bladders.

 

[decompression]

That's correct DD, as far as a balanced rig goes the wing is really only there for the gas (and float at surface). The equation for the balanced rig can help in selecting the wing size, which was the OP's original query. I'm not a big fan of deep dives and thick wetsuits for the very fact that the wetsuits buoyancy changes with depth and has some serious drawbacks for that kind of diving.

Ams511, splitting the weight in that case would be advantageous. I'm weary of the doffing at depth though,I think that's pretty unlikely. In fact if the suit is +25 and he's got -10 he's going to the surfaced uncontrolled.

I think that having some of your weight as "ditchable" is fine as long as it's part of the equation and not necessarily extra.


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[OkByMe]

28 lbs is a lot of lead. I don't use that much in my drysuit. I use a DiveRite Transpac and Rec XT wing (45lbs) and back mount steel double 85's, while side mounting 2 aluminum 80's with an aluminum 20. 18lbs total ... 10lbs. belted - 2lbs in a pocket on each 80 - 2lbs in a pocket high on the shoulder (x2) in a 3/5 wetsuit. I ride high fully inflated with full tanks on the surface and have a little air in the wing at 100 or so

 

[decompression]

One thing I always see is other view points from different areas of diving. Broadens my scope of understanding. In that, I'm thankful for these discussions.


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[halocline]

Ams511, splitting the weight in that case would be advantageous. I'm weary of the doffing at depth though,I think that's pretty unlikely. In fact if the suit is +25 and he's got -10 he's going to the surfaced uncontrolled.

I agree that it is not typical to need to remove the BC at depth, but it's not so unlikely either; after all, it's common enough to be part of the certification course as a skill. And remember that the thick wetsuit that's 25lbs positive is only so on the surface. At depth, it loses it's buoyancy so much less lead on the divers body would prevent a runaway ascent at depth.

It just makes sense to split up the weight between rig and diver in cold water with a thick wetsuit.

 

[ams511]

Ams511, splitting the weight in that case would be advantageous. I'm weary of the doffing at depth though,I think that's pretty unlikely. In fact if the suit is +25 and he's got -10 he's going to the surfaced uncontrolled.

The suit is plus 25 on the surface at depth it would lose most of its buoyancy so 10 lbs or so could offset the buoyancy of the suit and the diver. Sorry Halo already responded.

---------- Post added June 8th, 2014 at 12:40 PM ----------

28 lbs is a lot of lead. I don't use that much in my drysuit.

When diving in Pennsylvania in a 2-piece 7 mil wetsuit, a conventional BC, and an AL-80 I would wear that much. Certainly if I would do cold water diving I would invest in steel tanks.

 

[decompression]

A good video demonstrating wetsuit/depth....
NOWDIVE TV Balanced rig on film - Unified Team


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