Overweight Newbie Gear Question

[Gideon03]

I’m just starting this new hobby and would love some advice for other divers who are overweight.

I’m currently 300 pounds and concerned about ability to rent equipment that will fit me. Especially since some of my diving will be done in remote areas of Asia and Latam. Given that I was wondering the following:

1) any reco on wetsuit manufacturers that fit our size. Most seem to tap out at high 200s. I did see that the Pinnacle Cruiser suits had King versions which seemed like they would be a good fit. Anyone have experience with those suits or could recommend another?

2) besides wetsuit, mask, fins, what other equipment would you recommend. From what I could read BCDs might be something because size might not be available everywhere plus the ability to be more planned and ready with weight placements. But I’m just not sure. And when I do the reading, many recommend the backplate. Thoughts/recos on BCDs or any other equipment I should consider buying

3) lastly, during my first lake dive, I noticed two things: 1) used up a lot of air quickly. I attributed it to nerves cause the lake was dark and this was a mew hobby. But I have been reading that overweight people use air faster. Is that a true statement and if so, any tips on how to improve or gear reco. Secondly, it was hard to dial in how much and where to place weights. I think my dive master was not as familiar with working with people my seize and I think I created a new challenge for him. Any advice here.

Thanks in advance for any advice/thoughts.

Rudy

 

[Tracy]

It is hard to answer, 300 pounds can be a lot of things. I weigh 320 and fit in a standard 2xl. I have friends that are 280 and are nearly two of me.
A backplate and harness would be the easiest as I can adjust it to fit almost any body shape.

Rental wetsuits aren't for anybody that isn't a standard off the shelf size.

 

[Marie13]

Bare wetsuits go up to pretty big sizes. I’ve seen 300lb guys wearing them just fine.

BP/W is probably going to be better for you. Much easier to adjust and get to fit comfortably. I speak from experience.

Just remember this: fat people are floaty people! I resemble that remark myself.

 

[ScubaSquatch]

I throw in my 2 psi. I'm a big guy, built with a big thick frame like an NFL lineman. I'm 6'4", currently about 350 and I have a really long torso. My rec BC is a 2X hydros pro and it's the best fitting BC I've every owned. It dives great and packs small for travel. I can fit the BC a reg set, my mask and my computer all in the backpack that comes with the hydros. You can also strap your fins to it and you're all set for travel. When I dive wet I have a 4X lavacore long sleeve top, a 6X 5mil henderson full wetsuit (Fits a little too big) and a 5X henderson 7mil full wetsuit (Fits perfect). When I dive dry I have a 4X scubapro evertec trilaminate drysuit. I also dive sidemount with an xdeep stealth tec wing and a custom harness I made. If the water is over 72F then I'm just diving shorts and probably the lavacore. Below 72 I'll choose between the 5 or 7 wet or just go dry.

 

[DeltaWardog]

My recommendation to people is always to buy as much of your own gear as you can afford, once you've done a few real (i.e. not swimming pool) dives and know you're going to stick with the hobby. It sounds like you've already done that. There's a lot to be said about using the same stuff every time, no matter where you are, when you're first starting out. And you will always know how well the gear you're using has been taken care of, which for me always brings great peace of mind.

Your air consumption will improve as you gain experience, comfort, and skill. I wouldn't worry about that too much right now. You can always ask for a bigger tank if it's really cutting into your dive time. When I was new I always asked for AL100's because I was an air hog for the first dozen dives.

 

[Gideon03]

Thanks everyone. I just tried a Henderson 3xl 5mil suit and i think it might work. I worry a 4x might be too big.

Love the advice on getting bcd. I tried on a Scubapro Knighthawk (XL) and it was fine. Not perfect but ok. Im going to see if I can find a xxl to try. Anyone have experience with it?

Better yet, what are your thoughts on back inflate BCD’s?

 

[Texas Joe]

My recommendation to people is always to buy as much of your own gear as you can afford, once you've done a few real (i.e. not swimming pool) dives and know you're going to stick with the hobby. It sounds like you've already done that. There's a lot to be said about using the same stuff every time, no matter where you are, when you're first starting out. And you will always know how well the gear you're using has been taken care of, which for me always brings great peace of mind.

Your air consumption will improve as you gain experience, comfort, and skill. I wouldn't worry about that too much right now. You can always ask for a bigger tank if it's really cutting into your dive time. When I was new I always asked for AL100's because I was an air hog for the first dozen dives.

you can get 100’s at many locations instead of 80’s. The cost is minimal. Sometimes free.

 

[DBPacific]

I have a few plus-sized and not-standard-shaped friends who went with the Aqualung Rogue and really like it, if you don't want to go the harness bp/w route. It's a back inflate bcd with modular straps - you can choose how long you want each part to be, and the straps are a soft, cushiony fabric where they meet the skin, which my friends really appreciated during pool drills where we weren't in full wetsuits

 

[DogDiver]

CUSTOM WETSUITS | AQUAFLITE The wetsuit you have been looking for
I used this company for over 10 years when I was bigger. Low cost custom fit wetsuits.

 

[ScubaSquatch]

I had xxL nighthawk. It was okay but the hydros is MUCH better