First BC Purchase for Tech Diving

[CaveSloth]

I feel like I may eventually want one of the DiveRite Nomad LS, or XT or Hollis SMS 100, 75, or Katana. I say that because my goal is cave certification and I may decide to go sidemount.

For right now, though, I am just a rec diver learning to become a tech diver, and I am learning first on back mounted doubles. I plan to practice for my tech certification in a local scuba club's pool on the weekends.

The rig which is attractive to me at this stage is just to get one of those "hogarthian harnesses" or some other type of backplate with straps on it and add a wing to it. I like the simplicity to it and it is the kind of rig that my teacher gave me for my first doubles experience.

I plan to purchase 2 HP100 steel cylinders.

What is your advice internet?

 

[PfcAJ]

Steel backplate. For doubles, 40-45lb wing for 7" tanks, 55-60lb wing for 8" tanks. Singles, go with a 30b wing.

 

[michael-fisch]

Can't add to PfcAj - he got that exactly right.
Also loose Shoulder straps with tight waist and crotch strap - loose meaning that you can fit your fist under the shoulder straps while wearing the rig and it is easy to get out of after opening the waist buckle.
If you need additional weight try using a P-Weight before resigning yourself to a V-Weight. Moving the weight 5cm closer to your CG (center of gravity) makes a noticable difference.

Michael

 

[CaveSloth]

So when I tried a harness / plate / wing setup before, I was top heavy, and my teacher swears that I should learn good trim with practice rather than moving weights around.

I am plenty negatively bouyant with even one hp 100 steel tank so I don't technically need any additional weight.

 

[Caveeagle]

Steel backplate. For doubles, 40-45lb wing for 7" tanks, 55-60lb wing for 8" tanks. Singles, go with a 30b wing.

Depending on the Sloth’s BMI and diving wet/dry, he may be better off with an Alum backplate. Hose HP100s are heavy. And if your wet, you will probably need extra gas the wing to stay neutral. Which when diving in Ginnie or Little River can really increase drag in the water.

 

[Caveeagle]

So when I tried a harness / plate / wing setup before, I was top heavy, and my teacher swears that I should learn good trim with practice rather than moving weights around.

I am plenty negatively bouyant with even one hp 100 steel tank so I don't technically need any additional weight.

Did you have to upper bands as far up as they will go. And wing moved up.

LikeI said Aluminum plate for fresh water.

 

[divezonescuba]

Dont fight physics. That’s why all gear is adjustable.

 

[PfcAJ]

Depending on the Sloth’s BMI and diving wet/dry, he may be better off with an Alum backplate. Hose HP100s are heavy. And if your wet, you will probably need extra gas the wing to stay neutral. Which when diving in Ginnie or Little River can really increase drag in the water.

Diving steels when wet is bad news bears.

 

[CaveSloth]

Diving steels when wet is bad news bears.

Can you elaborate on this please?

 

[michael-fisch]

Does anybody still do cavediving in northern Florida using a wetsuit? 20-22°C water is damned cold on the 2nd or 3rd dive of the day even using a drysuit. I froze diving Little River at night on my 3rd dive of the day back in 1998 shortly after getting my Cave certification.
Michael