Are Oxycheq wings DIR "approved"?

[UWSojourner]

Currently I'm diving with a SeaQuest Balance, 7mm farmer john/jacket and hood/gloves. Lately I've been diving steel 80's.

With this setup I've been using 28lbs in integrated weights and 8lbs in weight belt.

I'm trying to rework my configuration because 1) I'm too cold, 2) I'd like to take more training and have been thinking about the DIR-F course (probably next winter), and NITROX (maybe sooner).

I'm patient and am taking things slowly. I'd just like to get into a configuration that will allow the DIR-F course and potentially the TRIOX course if I want to do so further down the road.

 

[Scubaroo]

Okay, so say you're diving a LP80 - allow about 6 pounds negative. So 28 + 8 + 6 = 42lb of negative weight on your rig - naturally at the surface a lot of this is offset by your wetsuit, but at depth, the wetsuit compresses, and you need the wing to keep you neutral. You're going to need the 45lb wing - some of the weight you're currently using on your weightbelt/integrated is going to be going into the backplate, and you can probably drop another pound or two just by switching to a bp/wing instead of using a jacket BC, what with all of the extra padding and fluff you're getting rid of.

If you switch to a LP95, drop two to four pounds off your weightbelt depending on the tanks involved.

42lb of total weight sounds like a lot - I weigh 225lb or so, and when diving either a 7mm semi-dry, or a trilaminate drysuit, in Monterey, my weight integration, backplate, STA and tank added up to only 28 pounds negative weight.

 

[Doc Intrepid]

Sojourner,

Bouyancy and hence weighting is something that is tough to pin down with so few specifics.

For example, what drysuit you select impacts weight requirements: neoprene, trilam, or the rubber suits like Viking (which are excellent suits). All three will result in different weight requirements.

Undergarments impact weight. Weasels are popular in the PNW. They work great. 400 gram thinsulate is also popular, and some of it stretches to boot. Either will work fine for you, but they will cause different requirements.

If you switch from your BC to bp/wings, typically your weight requirement will drop from 6 to 10 lbs, depending on BC etc.

You note you'll be diving with single tanks. You'll benefit considerably in the PNW from going with steel single tanks.

Again, tough to say, but - IF you go trilam, IF you go polarfleece or weasel, IF you use a steel tank, your weight requirements will likely be somewhere around 18-22 lbs - sheer guesstimate.

Given an approximate weight requirement of 18-22 lbs, (again - with a steel tank) I would recommend you consider a heavy plate and a weighted STA. With a STA that weighs 6lbs + a 9 lb plate, that gives you 15 lbs and puts a weightbelt of either 4 or 6 lbs or so on you. With a 6 lb STA and a 12 lb plate you've 18 on your back, may need no weightbelt, or may need a 4-6 lb weightbelt. Regardless, a heavy plate and a weighted STA will take significant weight off your hips and put it flat against your back.

My .02 worth.

Doc

 

[UWSojourner]

Yes, I was surprised it took 36 lbs too. I had estimated 30lbs the first time I dove that setup. But I couldn't sink. I'm hoping that it will reduce when I get into the drysuit, but from what I understand it won't reduce much if any.

Doc, thanks for the input. So ... is the 45# Oxycheq the one to go with? Also, you seem to indicate that you can load all (or almost all) the weight onto the backplate. How do you set these things up so that you can get back to the surface if the wing fails? "Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean everything can't go wrong."

 

[Doc Intrepid]

If you keep all else equal, and switch your wetsuit for a drysuit, your required weight will decrease to some degree but not a substantial amount. Its losing the BC AND switching to the drysuit AND diving a heavy steel single - like a PST E8-130 or a 104 - that will cumulatively drop your required weight more significantly.

First, you're in a drysuit. If the wing fails, inflate the suit a bit more than normal and swim up.

Second, you carry a lift bag with you. If you're really bothered, blow the bag and come up it using your reel, or in gravest extreme, clip the bag to your crotch D-ring and use it as a BC. The Halcyon 80 is a good example of a surface marker bouy that can be used as such. No worries, mate.

And you don't want ALL the weight in the backplate. Its a combination of the tank weight, the STA weight, the bp weight, + (if you need it) whats on your weightbelt that cumulatively provides the negative bouyancy you require. BUT...weight flat against your back saves your hips and lower back from the effects of heavy, annoying weightbelts, plus adds stability.

 

[UWSojourner]

Thanks. I've got a long journey ahead.

I'm tentatively concluding that the 45# is too much. So I've got to decide: is 30# enough (not convinced) or is having too much in the Oxycheq a non-issue (which everyone here has said).

 

[Doc Intrepid]

One step at a time. You'll get there. There are lots of us in the PNW. Feel free to ask questions anytime. Oxycheq is good. Scott Koplin is up there, near Hoodsport, drive over and talk to him. Abyss is good, Halcyon is good. I've never really looked at Dive Rite, but some of my friends have OMS. I prefer Scott's stuff to that, but a lot of it is personal preference.

One word of caution. For now, don't ever buy anything sight unseen. (Look at something identical before buying off the internet. Saves heartache - at least at this stage of your development.) Take awhile to really compare and contrast. You'll still make mistakes. Contact Fred T on this board for the backplates.

Don't worry. Its supposed to be fun.

 

[Doc Intrepid]

Thanks. I've got a long journey ahead.

I'm tentatively concluding that the 45# is too much. So I've got to decide: is 30# enough (not convinced) or is having too much in the Oxycheq a non-issue (which everyone here has said).

Borrow stuff from other divers. Go dive it. Make notes on slates. Make sure you're wearing a drysuit to compare items effectively (if you're going to be diving a drysuit).

In particular, bleed your tanks down to around 400 psi or so, and see what effect that has on weight requirements at the end of the dive. Make sure you can hold a 10' safety stop effortlessly with nearly empty tanks. Always weight yourself so you're safe at the END of the dive. Not the beginning.

If you want to try different stuff out, call Mike at Hoodsport & Dive (360) 877-6818. He'll help set you up. Also, call Mark at Fifth D (425) 427-1282. He's got quite a bit of stuff also. Either one or both would be worthwhile talking to.

Dive stuff you before you buy stuff. At $500+ bucks a pop for nearly anything, time spent checking things out up front beats time spent E-baying stuff you bought that you decided later you don't want.

 

[UWSojourner]

Thanks again. I'll get there. Just time and patience and a lot of questions.

 

[kalvyn]

Thanks. I've got a long journey ahead.

I'm tentatively concluding that the 45# is too much. So I've got to decide: is 30# enough (not convinced) or is having too much in the Oxycheq a non-issue (which everyone here has said).

I also dive in the PNW. I have the Halcyon Pioneer 36# wing with a stainless steel BP and I've never had to inflate the wing all the way (not even close, to be honest). I dive a trilam drysuit, LP 95s (steel tanks) and a 12# weightbelt.

I would want to do a side-by-side compare of the Halcyon 36# and the OxyCheq 45#. If the Oxycheq is physically the same size or smaller, with minimal tank wrapping when deflated I would say you should be OK. What matters is that you don't want a bunch of extra wing flapping in the breeze and 'taco-ing' your tank. Also, 30# might be enough lift for you... like I said I've never used the full capacity lift of my 36# wing. I would definitely try it out in real life though, before making your final decision!

Jimmie