advice for diver changing to BPW

[tep]

OK, I did it. After decades in various regular jackets, I bought a DGX BPW - stainless steel BP and EXP 35 lb wing. It's assembled, (mostly) fitted, and I'm taking it diving this weekend. Boat diving the Ruby E wreck (80-90 ft at the bottom) in San Diego - expecting water temps of 55-60F at the bottom.

With a 7mm suit+hood and a steel 100 cf cylinder, etc I use between 18 and (lately because I GOT FAT) 20 lbs of weights in a ScubaPro NightHawk. As the weight comes off my flabby dad bod, I would expect to get back to 18 lbs or so.

With the BPW, that's 6-ish (5.5) lbs in the plate, so ... go with 14 lbs of lead in the weight pockets? At least for the first few dives, until I get a solid weight check? I hope that over time the overall lead need will go down, as the BPW should be less buoyant? And some weights may move to an STA or attach to the cam bands for trim?

Any other things anyone wants to warn me about, or tell me to watch out for, as I make this transition?

 

[BabyLitigator]

Don't second guess yourself and then add more weight at the last minute. I did that my first time diving open water in a BPW and was quite heavy on the dive. Normal weight minus weight of the steel. Don't feel the need to add more.

And Wreck Alley is much more comfortable in a drysuit. Just sayin'. Check out the Coronados - the sea lions are very cool this time of year.

 

[happy-diver]

Better to be overweight than under and be thankful you are not diving in an unnatural sack of your own juices

 

[paddydiver]

As above, consider the weight of the BP as the weight it is, no need to mess about. Also if you've done a lot of dives in a traditional BCD you won't have quite the same feeling of 'lift' on the surface. It's no problem, but just bear in mind your face will probably be closer to the water and you may have a feeling of being pushed forward (less so with a steel tank rather then aluminium).