Advice on best BP/W for flexibility

[Kevin Floyd]

No worries, the larger the diver generally the more exposure suit. The more exposure suit the more positive bouyancy. So, even if you were diving warm water in a 3mil suit, the suit is +4, the Al tank is +4 so the -6 lbs plate lets you require a couple of pounds on the belt. Easy peazy.......

This is a question for a different thread I’m sure....but while we are on the topic, how would you go about figuring out how much a particular suit adds? Aside from just jumping in and adding lead

 

[MichaelMc]

how would you go about figuring out how much a particular suit adds? Aside from just jumping in and adding lead

Sinking it in a tub or pool. Or this spread sheet makes attempts at estimating it.
Buoyancy, Balanced Rigs, Failures and Ditching – a comprehensive tool

There are crude rules of thumb, but it depends on square footage of diver, thickness, material, age of suit. Best is sink it in a pool to the depth you are concerned about. Then adjust for fresh vs salt water density.

 

[saxman242]

I was thinking the comfort harness because it looked like a good choice and I was thinking aluminum for weight savings on travel

The comfort harness isn't really necessary and a one piece harness packs up a lot nicer for traveling. I just pulled the comfort harness off my bp/w to put a one piece on specifically for traveling. A lot more manageable.

 

[Kevin Floyd]

The comfort harness isn't really necessary and a one piece harness packs up a lot nicer for traveling. I just pulled the comfort harness off my bp/w to put a one piece on specifically for traveling. A lot more manageable.

The main reason I was looking at a comfort harness is the adjustability. I like the idea of a simple 1 piece but sometimes I'm in 7mm and other times I'm in just a rash guard. I like the fact that with a harness is can tighten down my shoulder straps if im in thinner protection.

 

[saxman242]

The main reason I was looking at a comfort harness is the adjustability. I like the idea of a simple 1 piece but sometimes I'm in 7mm and other times I'm in just a rash guard. I like the fact that with a harness is can tighten down my shoulder straps if im in thinner protection.

I agree with your thought process, doing much of my diving either in southern California or in tropical locations. I found with my comfort harness, I was never adjusting the shoulders once I got it figure out. When I go from warm water diving to cold water diving, I end up putting weight pockets on harness, so I'm already making adjustments. Basically means just setting the harness appropriately for the diving I'll be doing. Is no more time involved if I do it while putting the pockets on or if I do it with the shoulder straps. Both ways work just as well.

I will say, for traveling, having a lot less material in the harness and no bulky shoulder pads makes packing things up a lot eaiser.

Another thing to consider is with some of the comfort harnesses, all you need to switch to a single harness is 15' of 2" webbing. You can reuse all the d rings and triglides.