Cold Vs. Warm Water BC

[PugetDiver]

Either you are diving next to a nuclear power plant or my temperature gauge on my dive computer (and also my friend's) is inaccurate, because all my dives have been under 52 F! Have fun diving.

- Another-Novice-Pudget-Sound Diver

You may want to look into a new computer. LOL
http://www.weather.com/activities/recreation/boatandbeach/coastal/cstlwtrpac.html

Ok its in the 50's. Does that work for you?

 

[ChrisA]

Would you be comfortable using your 34# lift BC with a 7MM wet suit single tank?

I use a 7mm suit also, year round. It will work.

Think of it this way: The BC only has to replace buoyancy lost to suit compression. The suit only provides 12 to 15 pounds of buoyancy so in the worse possible case it can only loose 12 to 15 pounds of buoyancy due to compression.

The other thing to worry about is that if ever you need to take your gear off at the surface, say to get into a small boat it has to have enough "lift" to float the integrated weights. But I doubt you use 31 pounds of lead with your steel tank.

 

[TostitoBandito]

What really is the difference? As you can see I am new to diving. Hey we all have to start somewhere!

I purchased a Mares Jubilee BC Weight Integrated to 30# with Back inflation. I am not interested in hearing negative comments about Mares, however I am interested in knowing if this setup will be sufficient for Cold or Warm water diving? The water in my area stays around 55 degrees all year (Puget Sound) I also do a lot of warm water traveling (Virgin Islands next week! ). The BC has 34 # of lift and I will be diving with a 7mm Semi-Dry Wetsuit in my home area. My Regs are Genesis GS2000, Genesis SKO Octo and an Aeris Atmos computer. Thanks in advance for your advice/comments.

I dive a Zeagle Ranger in Puget Sound and tropical. It has a little more lift (44#) and weight capacity (56#, like you would ever need that much) than your BC which is nice for all the weight you need in cold water but you should be ok with 34# of lift for sure. It's a bit overkill for warm water since I typically only dive with 14-16# of lead there, but it still works great. Some people like smaller BC's for travel since they are easier to pack and you don't need all that lift, but I don't really mind.


-Eric

 

[ScubaJW]

Hey Pugetdivers,

This summer, I will be moving to Seattle (for my internship). I wanted to get to know the area and Puget Sounds. Anything I need to know and where are some good places to dive? Must be boat dive or could be shore access to dive?

Thanks,
wildmtn

 

[PugetDiver]

Hey Pugetdivers,

This summer, I will be moving to Seattle this summer (for my internship). I wanted to get to know the area and Puget Sounds. Anything I need to know and where are some good places to dive? Must be boat dive or could be shore access to dive?

Thanks,
wildmtn

You are moving to the right place! We have many dive spots in the Puget sound. Some great beach spots are Edmonds (Under water park), Mukilteo and Rodondo beach + many more. If you are used to warm water get ready for a really awesome new experience. We have great crabbing and spear fishing here if you are in to that. Make sure you buy a 7MM wet suit or use a dry suit. Happy Diving!

 

[PugetDiver]

I dive a Zeagle Ranger in Puget Sound and tropical. It has a little more lift (44#) and weight capacity (56#, like you would ever need that much) than your BC which is nice for all the weight you need in cold water but you should be ok with 34# of lift for sure. It's a bit overkill for warm water since I typically only dive with 14-16# of lead there, but it still works great. Some people like smaller BC's for travel since they are easier to pack and you don't need all that lift, but I don't really mind.


-Eric

That is a GREAT BC (My buddy dives it). A little too big for the traveler but I wouldn't mind getting that for my home dives. Maybe next year Happy Diving and nice Tourney run!

 

[Brian Gilpin]

Charlie & Brian,

Thanks for your comments.



1. I took my BC and filled the weight pockets with the maximum weight 30#. I blew the bladder up manually through the corrugated hose and placed it in my 500-gallon spa. It floated fine, just as I thought.

2. Added 5 pounds of additional weight (= regs, light etc), It still floated.

3. Next I added another 6 pounds (= tank), still floating.

4.Finally added another 2 pounds (just to see) and it sunk.


So it took 43 pounds of lead to sink my 34# lift (rated) BC in fresh water.
To me, it looks like I will be ok in Salt Water. Any reflections?

PugetDiver:

Sounds like you should be ok. I assume you will not be diving more than around 35 lbs of lead in salt water. If you are you have some more questions to ask. Twenty or so would be about average.

 

[Mandy3206]

Since I'm a warm water diver (ave. 80deg), I may be wrong.

I usually dive with a 3mm fullbody and single 80s, and only need 12# of weight, 6 ditchable and 6 nonditchable.

Seems to me that if you're using 30# of weight with a single cilynder, you may be overweighted.

I don't know how a 7mm would affect my bouyancy and how much weight would be needed to offset it, but maybe you would like to check if you're weighted correctly.

just my .02

 

[MSilvia]

I don't know how a 7mm would affect my bouyancy and how much weight would be needed to offset it, but maybe you would like to check if you're weighted correctly.

It can effect it quite a bit. I dive 10# in a 3mm with an AL80, but in my two piece 7mm suit, I use 32#.

 

[Mandy3206]

In that case,
It's fair to assume a 20# lift for the 7mm?

If so, when loosing about 10#lift at 100fsw from the wetsuit, the bc should have enogh lift to compensate that loss.

I'm I missing something?

What about a drysuit?

Would be needed more weight than the 7mm?

Just curious, have never used anything thicker than 3mm.