BP/W Selection

[bcolcla]

Hi, I'm planning to move to a BP/W setup and would appreciate some advice picking out a wing.

Background info: I'm 6'1 ~ 200 lb, I dive in the Pacific NW so I'm always in a dry suit typically with a weezle extreme plus a set of thermals. I typically use a steel LP95, carry a large canister light, and currently mount a 19cf Al pony, though with the BP/W setup I plan to sling an Al40 and I'll probably add an Argon bottle as well. I should mention I have a bad shoulder so I need a shoulder release.

I plan to continue diving singles for now. Given that I'll get some lift from my drysuit which wing do you think I need. The setup I was thinking of was:

1) Large Stainless Steel plate
2) Pro-Fit Harness
3) Torus 26, Full Circle Style Single Tank Wing or maybe the 35.

Regards,
Brian

 

[ae3753]

How much weight do you use? How do you plan on distributing the weight on the BP/W? And what are your contingency plan for drysuit flood?

 

[cool_hardware52]

Hi, I'm planning to move to a BP/W setup and would appreciate some advice picking out a wing.

Background info: I'm 6'1 ~ 200 lb, I dive in the Pacific NW so I'm always in a dry suit typically with a weezle extreme plus a set of thermals. I typically use a steel LP95, carry a large canister light, and currently mount a 19cf Al pony, though with the BP/W setup I plan to sling an Al40 and I'll probably add an Argon bottle as well. I should mention I have a bad shoulder so I need a shoulder release.

I plan to continue diving singles for now. Given that I'll get some lift from my drysuit which wing do you think I need. The setup I was thinking of was:

1) Large Stainless Steel plate
2) Pro-Fit Harness
3) Torus 26, Full Circle Style Single Tank Wing or maybe the 35.


Regards,
Brian

You should not plan on "lift" from your dry suit. The required wing size si a function f the buoyancy of your exposure suit with minimum gas in it.

I prefer real numbers, by that I mean I prefer you actually test your suit. I doubt that somebody 6'1 in a weezle could use a 26 lbs lift wing. Weezle are mighty floaty.

I suggest you test your suit. Put on your undies and suit and find some neck deep water. Take a big bag of lead.

With minimum gas in your suit determine how much lead you need to just get neutral. If you do this in fresh water you will need to add about 5 lbs of ballast to dive in salt water.

**This is just an example**

Lets assume we find with min gas your suit is +28 lbs.

A large plate and harness is about -7 lbs, a full lp 95 is about -10, your reg is -2, argon tankl etc. ~-3 That makes your rig about -21 with a full tank and about -13 with an empty tank. If your suit is +28 you will need 28-13=15 lbs of additional ballast. If you use the bolt on weight plates (8lbs) your rig will -29 lbs with a full tank and -21 with an empty tank. That leaves 6-8 lbs in a belt.

If your rig is -29 lbs and your Suit can loose 28 lbs you need at the absolute minimum a 30 lbs wing, and I'd recommend the T-35 based on your height, required weight belt and short LP95.

This is only and example.....

BTW you may want to consider a larger tank and leave the "pony" or 40 at home.


Tobin

 

[bcolcla]

Excellent point - I won't plan on lift from the drysuit. I'll be diving tomorrow, so I'll calculate how much lead is required to get neutral in just my suit.

Thanks!

 

[bcolcla]

Well...I ran out of lead today, but 32lbs plus two large rocks - each about the size of my palm (with minimal air in drysuit and half breath) finally got me neutral. My estimate is ~38 lbs. I wore my drysuit (with weezle/thermals) and 7mm gloves/hood. People have always been surprised by my buoyant personality.

 

[cool_hardware52]

Well...I ran out of lead today, but 32lbs plus two large rocks - each about the size of my palm (with minimal air in drysuit and half breath) finally got me neutral. My estimate is ~38 lbs. I wore my drysuit (with weezle/thermals) and 7mm gloves/hood. People have always been surprised by my buoyant personality.

If your suit is +38 lbs (wow!) You need a LCD 40 wing. We make LCD 40's for folks using very buoyant suits.

Recap:

Large SS plate
Hog Harness
LCD 40 wing
(cambands and wedge blocks included)

8.1 lbs bolt on weight plates.

Tobin