Going from 7mm to 5mm: How much weight gets ditched?

[Dan]

You need to compare them at the same condition, i.e., soaking wet, as the thicker wetsuits tend to trap more air initially. I had to fin down to, say 5m depth and let out some of the trap air out to begin sinking. Otherwise I’ll be bobbing up like a cork at the surface.

I think most divers put too much dive weight and ended consuming more air. The proper weight to have is the weight went you are at neutrally buoyant at safety stop with no air in the BCD and 500 psig left in your tank.

 

[aviator8]

It may also depend on wetsuit style. my 3mm full suits I dive 6 fresh and bump to 8 salt. I have a 5mm two piece farmer john and a top so the torso gets double 5mm layer. I figured I could just add 4 lbs and be good to go. I couldn't get under al all. I ended up having to go all the way up to 14lbs on a fresh water dive.

 

[FreeFlyFreak]

Will you be diving a different tank type too? Steel to Aluminum?
If so your weighting may not change much.

Steel 80-100, cold wet 8/6/5, 7/5 hooded vest, boots gloves. Im around 10lbs + 5lb plate

Aluminum 80 warm wet 3mm
Im 7 lbs + 5lb plate

I imagine in a 5mm only with Alu 80 i'd be a similar weighting as my cold steel set up. Or at least I'd use that as a start point for me.
If I add a hooded vest it would need more.

 

[Eyegore]

Thank you, interesting question. I don't know what tanks KDC uses on their boat dives.

 

[FreeFlyFreak]

Thank you, interesting question. I don't know what tanks KDC uses on their boat dives.

When I dove Kona, different op, it was all Aluminum.

 

[Eyegore]

Let us know how it turns out!

Going from a 7mm suit with hooded vest to a 5mm suit and no vest I had to ditch six pounds. Au'au Crater was spectacular!

 

[rsingler]

Going from a 7mm suit with hooded vest to a 5mm suit and no vest I had to ditch six pounds. Au'au Crater was spectacular!

Thanks!
Optimal Buoyancy Computer is how I suggested 5-6#.