Adjusting weight for new exposure gear.

[Casarez]

So as per my previous post I usually dive warm. I do not need much weight and with the rig I dive with (DSS BP/W) the BP is enough to make me neutral (if not a bit negative) at <500psi in an AL80 in 15ft of water when I am in rash guard and trunks. Works well for me. When I did dive wet in north Florida I only needed 8lbs for a 3mm full with 5/3 hooded vest (and AL80). I am not sure how much I want to use that number though since I was diving a Balance BCD at the time and not my DSS BP/W.

I recently picked up a Henderson Aqualock setup so I can do more local dives. Full 7mm suit with 5mm accessories (Boots, gloves, hood). I am just curious if anyone knows a formula to help me approximate what weight I might need. Last time I dove a 7mm was my OW and I was carrying waaaay too much weight.

I am going diving this Saturday to zero it in but am just curious how many of which weights to bring. An approximation will help with that. Thanks.

 

[freewillie]

10% body weight + 3-5 lbs ball park, and formal weight check to confirm.

I'm about 5' 5" and 136 lbs. I dive 20 lbs, occasional 22 lbs in 7mm, hood, gloves, booties.

 

[CT Sean]

I doubt you'd need more than 20. It sounds like you need a bit LESS weight that I do and with my AL backplate with stainless STA (together about the same weight as a full stainless plate) 7mm full suit/gloves/boots/hood, I use 18 lbs and, based on the first local dive of this year, I can likely drop at least 2 of them.

 

[redacted]

I always put new neoprene in a pool with a mesh bag attached that I fill with lead weights until it sinks. Then I adjust my weights accordingly with confidence.

 

[Casarez]

I always put new neoprene in a pool with a mesh bag attached that I fill with lead weights until it sinks. Then I adjust my weights accordingly with confidence.

Hmm, now that is an idea.

---------- Post added ----------

I doubt you'd need more than 20. It sounds like you need a bit LESS weight that I do and with my AL backplate with stainless STA (together about the same weight as a full stainless plate) 7mm full suit/gloves/boots/hood, I use 18 lbs and, based on the first local dive of this year, I can likely drop at least 2 of them.

I went and checked my dive log. When I dove with a dry suit for my AOW* I only needed 18lbs. Perhaps I should start a bit lower and start trimming.

*I did AOW immediately after OW so I was still a very new diver, and added in dry suit, and had a Balance BCD. 18lbs still worked for me. Perhaps I should start at 16lbs then and see if I can go down more at ~500psi.

 

[Vt diving]

I am 5"10 and 180 lbs, I also dive with the same rig and use a henderson single layer 7mm suit. I use 7lbs on my left side and 5lbs on my right side(I also have a 13 cubic foot pony on my right side)So i have 13 lbs of ditchable weight. I am also using apollo bio fins with spring straps (also slightly negative)

 

[Casarez]

OK, so an update: I managed to do two dives yesterday. First off, man I miss warm water diving. Anyways, I started with 18lbs and that was too much so I dropped to 16lbs. Even at 16lbs I was pretty negative requiring air in my wing at 15ft with a near empty tank. So next time I go I will once again drain my tank to ~500psi and try out 14lbs and see if I can keep neutral at 15ft with no air in my wing.