drysuit weighting vs wetsuit weights

[phishphood]

Just looking if anyone can help me out here. I've got the chance to go mess around in what I call the kiddy pool to try out my drysuit. Just wondering if anyone has any ideas about figuring required weight for the drysuit vs the wetsuit. With a standard jacket bcd and 7mm suit/booties I was using about 14lbs of weight. I'm basically starting over with my rig now and will be diving SS bp/w with a drysuit that fits me fairly well. Any suggestions for total weight so I don't have to bring my entire collection? Thanks.

 

[00wabbit]

When I changed from 7mm wetsuit to drysuit with light undergarments my weight stayed the same. I added a couple of pounds when I went to 200gm undergarments.
Fyi my drysuit is crushed neoprene so it has some insulation and buoyancy on its own.

I don't know how much the backplate will remove.

 

[PhASe]

It's really a crap shoot but if I had you as my student then I would probably throw about 8lbs on you for the pool with that SS BP. That being said, you would also not have an undergarment on in the pool cause it'd be to hot(80degree water). In the OW there are many variables, how much you wear underneath, how big a person you are, and your experience level in a dry suit. Since your in a 7mm wetsuit I would guess in the 24-36lb range for a newbie(in a drysuit that is) and you will drop weight as you get use to it. That is what I typically see, keep in mind I teach in Alaska so water is a little chilly. Nothing beats a weight check though. GL

 

[phishphood]

Thanks guys. That's basically all I was looking for. I know nothing beats a weight check but not lugging out enough weight to add on or lugging out way too much extra is never fun.

Since your in a 7mm wetsuit I would guess in the 24-36lb range for a newbie(in a drysuit that is)​

What does this part mean though?​

 

[Jim Lapenta]

When I changed from 7mm wetsuit to drysuit with light undergarments my weight stayed the same. I added a couple of pounds when I went to 200gm undergarments.
Fyi my drysuit is crushed neoprene so it has some insulation and buoyancy on its own.

I don't know how much the backplate will remove.

Std stainless steel plate will remove about 6lbs. On top of whatever the inherent buoyacy of the old bc was. Some jackets have upwards of 6-7 lbs positive buoyancy alone due to all that useless padding.
Now some of that will be about the same due to the bubble in the drysuit until one gets their optimum weight dialed in. I usually tell divers going to dry and a bpw at the same time to just drop.about four lbs to start. Then do careful weight checks over the next few series of dives. Even then change undies and you may need to do new checks.
Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2

 

[macado]

There is really no hard and fast rule; best way is to do a proper weight check with a near empty (500psi) tank.

Is your suit a trilam or neoprene, crushed neoprene? What kind of undergarments are you using? What kind of tank are you diving? AL or SS?

With a SS backplate, you can take ~6lbs off compared to your jacket BC. Plus your a BP/Wing is usually less buoyant than a traditional jacket BC.

Might make sense to start off with same amount of weight as you did with your jacket BCD.

You said you normally use 14lbs? Is that on a belt or in pockets? You could try diving 14lbs + your SS backplate about ~20lbs. Maybe put some weight in cam band pockets if you have them.

 

[fisheater]

I had to add 8-10 pounds going from 7mm FJ to a compressed neoprene DS.

YMMV.

 

[Peter_C]

If you offer up a little more info folks could probably help you get within a few pounds. Height/weight, tank type and size, under garments, base layer, fins, lights, and anything else you think might add or subtract for weighting? Also you say 14lbs is that salt or freshwater? Is the pool salt or freshwater? Are you trying to weight for salt or freshwater?

 

[phishphood]

sorry. Wasn't looking for this level of detail (Didn't think it was possible) but since you guys offered:

5'5" 170lbs (solid stocky)
AL80, trilam suit, undergarments: unsure exactly
Was working with a 1pc 7mm suit, diving 14lbs split between jacket pockets and weight belt.
Was/will be using jet fins
diving SW, weighting SW, pool is SW.

I know that jacket BC's have a variable natural buoyancy and expect that I will deal with that part on the dive. Otherwise, it's a standard 6lb SS bp/hollis wing.

And thanks to everyone for helping!

 

[fnfalman]

Start at 10% of body weight plus 6-lbs and then add or subtract until you get to where you need to be.