DSS Backplate Weights: Should I or Not?

[jim T.]

If I go with a DSS backplate with an Oxycheq 45lb.signature wing instead of the Rec Wing/Dive Rite Rig, I'm wondering whether or not the bolt on backplate weights would be a good way for me to go or not.

I currently dive : Drysuit with 10 lbs. in the back pockets (under the bladder) on Sherwood Tortuga back inflate b.c.

So the bolt on weight plates and b.p. would total 13.1 lbs. with the b.p. only about 3lbs. more than the 10 in the back inflate jacket b.c.


I carry 20 in the pull out weight pouches and a 2lb. ankle weight on each leg for a total of 34lbs.

If I purchase a DSS 5lb. S.S. backplate and the 8.1lb backplate bolt on weight will I be able to achieve neutral bouyancy and good trim?
Would my harness belt weight still remain about the same/minus 3lbs. or @ about 17lbs?

Is this too much non-ditchable weight? Would it be better to go with more flexible soft weights for the backplate so that I could try less weight first? More on the harness belt and just the 5lb. backplate?

I'm using steel 95 single tank. I'm concerned about purchasing a relatively spendy "accessory" and finding that it'll be too much negative/non ditchable weight. Would it be best to dive the b.p. and belt weights first and then decide? I'm not sure how I would arrive at a final conclusion without trying it both ways first.???

I am going to make that purchasing decision very soon and would greatly appreciate help concerning this issue.

I personally weigh 196 lbs. at present and am 5'11 and three quarter inches. (esentially 6').
I don't think it matters but I'm diving Puget Sound/Pacific N.W.
Average water temp. low 40's. Usual depth max. 50--60ft. but could go as deep as 130 next year on wrecks in British Columbia, Canada. At that point I'll most likely sling or tank mount a 30c.f. pony bail out bottle or dive independent twins so maybe let me know for all three scenarios if possible?

I'm still a newbie with about 20 dives.
I could certainly use assistance figuring this out so that I can order a rig in the next day or two...

Thank You! Jim

 

[Humuhumunukunukuapua'a]

A - I'd save yourself some bucks and get a DSS package. Buying the plate and wing seperately can be much more expensive. Just my $.02

B - I love the weight plates. They put weight in exactly the right place. Since you need 34, which is a lot more than 13, why not go for it? It puts 13 pounds in the best possible place for trim. Ditchable/non-ditchable doesn't worry me. The only time I can really see ditching is at the surface if your BC fails, but I, like you, have a drysuit for that case. I also carry a large SMB with a lot of lift.

Good luck! I think you'll really like the DSS rig.

 

[GreenDiverDown]

I agree with Gregg.

In fact, you might want to incorporate a few other things to get that weight belt down to something more reasonable... like 8 pounds or less.

 

[cool_hardware52]

If I go with a DSS backplate with an Oxycheq 45lb.signature wing instead of the Rec Wing/Dive Rite Rig, I'm wondering whether or not the boldt on backplate weights would be a good way for me to go or not.

I currently dive : Drysuit with 10 lbs. in the back pockets (under the bladder) on Sherwood Tortuga back inflate

So the bolt on weight plate would total 13.1 lbs. with the b.p. only about 3lbs. more than the 10 in the back inflate jacket b.c.


I carry 20 in the pull out weight pouches and a 2lb. ankle weight on each leg for a total of 34lbs.

If I purchase a DSS 5lb. S.S. backplate and the 8.1lb backplate bolt on weight will I be able to achieve neutral bouyancy and good trim?
Would my harness belt weight still remain about the same/minus 3lbs. or @ about 17lbs?

Is this too much non-ditchable weight? Would it be better to go with more flexible soft weights for the backplate so that I could try less weight first? More on the harness belt and just the 5lb. backplate?

I'm using steel 95 single tank. I'm concerned about purchasing a relatively spendy "accessory" and finding that it'll be too much negative/non ditchable weight.

I am going to make that purchasing decision very soon and would greatly appreciate help concerning this issue.

I don't think it matters but I'm diving Puget Sound/Pacific N.W.
Average water temp. low 40's. Usual depth max. 50--60ft. but could go as deep as 130 next year.

As a lot of you folks know, I'm still a newbie with about 20 dives.
I could certainly use assistance figuring this out so that I can order a rig in the next day or two...

Thank You! Jim

Jim,

Here's the the same advise I give everybody contemplating using a BP&W / and or our weight plates:

You have two weighting questions to answer, the first is total weighting. By total weighting I mean exactly that, how much ballast do you need.

The second question is trim, where does this weight need to be.

Here's the process I recommend, for single tanks and a "real" exposure suit. By real suit I mean a 5-7 mil wetsuit or DS with warm undergarment.

With a full single tank and no gas in your wing find out how much lead you need to get eyel evel at the surface. This is most easily done at the edge of the pool, or swimstep, or dock etc. You can have extra lead within easy reach.

Some will say you need to check at 15 ft and 500 psi in your tank. That works too, but in my experience it's much more difficult, there never seems to be an extra bag 'o' lead handy at 15ft, and of course you are trying to hold depth while you continue to breathe down your tank.

You will be lighter by the gas you consume at the end of the dive, typically 5-6 lbs, but at 15 ft your suit will have compressed and lost buoyancy, so holding your Safety Stop should not be a problem.

In any event first determine your total buoyancy, then start playing with weight distribution for trim. Everybody will be different. Here again it's helpful to have some spare lead, drop weights, ankle weights etc. Get in the pool, try having all the weight in a weight belt. If that works and you can maintain horizontal trim great! If you find that having a couple ankle weights around the tank valve helps then our weight plates may be a solution.


I'd love it if I could predict based on the tank used, and the current jacket BC, and the Exposure suit and undies, and # of weight currently carried, and number of dives and the phases of the moon exactly what is the best setup, but nobody can.

It takes some pool time. I'd much rather have you find all you need is a weight belt, that have you buy weight plates that stand you on your head.

If you do these tests in Fresh water you need to add 1 lbs for every ~ 40 lbs of diver and gear to have the correct weighting in Salt water.

Regards,


Tobin

 

[TSandM]

If you are worried about weight distribution, you can try moving weight around using the Trident camband weight pouches ($10 each). If putting seven pounds up on your back (in addition to the plate itself) is good for your trim, then you can buy the weight plates with some degree of assurance that they will work for you. This is what I've ended up doing, because I couldn't face the idea of spending $100 for a weighted STA and then finding out that it was too much weight, or in the wrong place.

 

[jim T.]

Hi Tobin and TSandM,
So, Tobin, if I'm understanding you properly, it would be best (in short) to do what TSandM is suggesting (which was my original plan, more or less) and only buy your weight plates later after doing bouyancy testing as you've suggested?

I've done the type of bouyancy testing you outlined with my current rental jacket/backflate b.c. so I assume I should do the same with the b.p. rig BEFORE deciding and testing with your weight plates.

Just wanted to be sure I'm understanding you completely.

P.S. Thanks for responding so quickly to my personal email a few days ago as well!

TSandM, Thank you very much for your response. I thoroughly enjoyed your online dive log/blog. You're a great humorous writer!
I assume I'll meet you and your husband eventually, once I'm more experienced and participate more outside of my LDS' shop club dives and get more spontaneous with Orca Bait-ers, etc.

As always. Thank you all.

Jim T.

 

[cool_hardware52]

Hi Tobin and TSandM,
So, Tobin, if I'm understanding you properly, it would be best (in short) to do what TSandM is suggesting (which was my original plan, more or less) and only buy your weight plates later after doing bouyancy testing as you've suggested?

That's my standard advise. In the end you might pay the UPS man twice, but you have what you really need, and the in pool tests are a worthwhile exercise.


Tobin

 

[GreenDiverDown]

Here's another good idea...

... shoot NWGratefuldiver a pm and ask to go diving. He would be a fantastic mentor and can help you figure out your weighting issues. Plus.. he has a DSS rig and weight plates!
The best way to figure this all out is with someone that really knows the deal... and Bob really knows the deal!

OTOH, you could just go for it. I'm pretty darn sure that your best combo will be a rig with some significant weight on your back. That means using Tobin's weight plates and possibly a few other things. Nobody wants... and very few people need... a huge weight belt.

 

[jim T.]

Thanks Tobin. I thought I was understanding you correctly.

Stephen, yes, thanks. I actually thought about contacting Bob, but I'm still renting drysuit, etc., scheduling all of that (Seattle's about 80 miles away) is a little complicated but I'll still think about it. I'm pretty sure I know what I want. It's just a matter of choosing between two rigs. One a "compromise" singles/doubles and the other a singles only rig for now.

I think at least, if I go with the DSS backplate, I'll try it without the additional plates for now and then contact Bob once I have had at least some minimal experience with a b.p. and have done some bouyancy testing. It IS a good thing to know that Bob has the weight plates. That would be a great help once I'm semi-dialed in and that would be a great time to get together with Bob if he's willing.

Thanks so much guys 'n' gals!

Jim

 

[Hoosier]

Here's another good idea...
The best way to figure this all out is with someone that really knows the deal... and Bob really knows the deal! .

Nope~~. The best way is to steal Bob's BP/W and dive before he calls the police

Seriously, ask Bob to try his rig. That is the best way....