For those of you 170 pound males using the DSS system with a 5 mm full suit in warm salt waters, are you findings the add on 8 lb plates useful? I realize this is a difficult questions to answer in view of the multiple variables, but I am trying to get a rough idea of the liklihood of wishing I had the add on plates. I know I can always get them later, but with my diving limited to vacations, I would prefer to dial in as well as possible prior to leaving for vacation in Jan .
DSS bp/w users
- Thread starter louis
- Start date
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cool_hardware52
Contributor
louis:
Louis,
I give you exactly the same advice I give anybody thinking about using the weight plates.
You have two weighting questions to answer. The first is total weight, the second is distribution for best trim.
There are way too many variables to make any blanket recommendations, body type, exposure suit, tank used etc.
To answer the first question, total weighting, you need to get in the water with easy access to addtional weight. I like a pool, and a bag 'o' lead, but you can do it most any where if you plan a head a little.
In a fairly thick wetsuit and single tank, I find that if I can get the diver neutral (eyelevel with no gas in the wing), with a full tank, they will be able to hold a 15' stop at the end of the dive, due to the compression of the wetsuit. Be sure to stop finning when testing.
Once you have determined your total weighting you can test for trim. Again some temporary weights, like ankle weights, clip weights help.
See where that weight needs to be for best trim. Some may find that a weight belt is all they need, some may find that having some of the weight higher on the body helps.
If you find that moving weight up (for example hanging a couple ankle weights on the tank valve) helps, the bolt on weight plates could be a very good solution.
On the other hand if you find the 5 lbs of the SS plate is all you need over your lungs, and all the balance of the weight could be carried in a weight belt, you will be dollars ahead just to buy lead and use a belt.
Trust me, there is no hard and fast way to know what is best without actually trying it out. Sorry but that's just the way it is.
I routinely suggest to people seeking to buy our rig with the weight plates that they need to answer the both weighting questions first.
Regards,
Tobin
StSomewhere
Contributor
Obviously Tobin is the expert. 
What I can tell you is that I have the 5 lb plates (not sure if these are still being made) and that is the perfect amount to ofset the extra buoyancy of a single AL80 vs. a single steel tank like an E7-100. I found this after the trial and error Tobin suggests. The weight plates definitely have a cool factor, but only if they are actually useful with your configuration, body composition (i.e. how you "trim" out), etc.
What I can tell you is that I have the 5 lb plates (not sure if these are still being made) and that is the perfect amount to ofset the extra buoyancy of a single AL80 vs. a single steel tank like an E7-100. I found this after the trial and error Tobin suggests. The weight plates definitely have a cool factor, but only if they are actually useful with your configuration, body composition (i.e. how you "trim" out), etc.
