23 lb vs. 32 lb lift

[ams511]

I understand what you are saying and agree with you about the megalift wings or using a wing that is designed for doubles with a single tank.

However, when using a modern narrow wing the difference in width is not that much. You seem to be fond of DSS products so take a look at the size differences of the LCD wings. The difference between widths of the 20lb and the 30lb is negligible, between the 20lb and 40lb it appears to be an inch or maybe 2. I believe Oxycheq is about the same. I am not sure of what the size difference is for HOG wings because they do not list the dimensions of the wings on the site anymore but I would be surprised if the difference in width was more than two inches.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

WOW, I would definitely NOT choose the lowest volume wing. If you are a recreational warm water diver.. maybe, but a DM/Instructor might very well have to carry extra weight to give to a customer underwater, or maybe take off a customer.

Having the extra capacity to hand some extra weight would be a big plus to me. Plus, I would be more confident with a higher capacity BC, should an emergency arise, where I want to drag someone up fast and have the ability to have considerable buoyancy in an emergency on the surface.

Who knows, you might have to drag some guy off the bottom who is wearing a steel tank, steel plate and a zip tie pops off the hose of his BC. Not a rig you would dive, but don't under-estimate the potential for stupidity of some coldwater diver who comes to the tropics and has ZERO concept of how much ballast he needs..

For a professional, I think the minimal additional drag is a good trade off for have the capacity to more easily handle problems that are generated by the people you are responsible for.