farmerstephen13
Registered
I am in the market for my first BCD; only problem is I need to be able pack a whole lot of weight (40-45 lbs) any suggestions
first bcd
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cool_hardware52
Contributor
Stephen,
45 lbs is a *LOT* of ballast. I'd suggest you determine the buoyancy of your exposure suit. You may find you are over weighted. You also may find your current BC is inherently buoyant due to foam padding. Some BC's are hard to fully vent too. This leads to even more ballast.
If you need some suggestions about how to determine the buoyancy of your suit let me know.
Tobin
DiveGear4Less
Guest
If you truly need that much lead and you want to go with a traditional style BC, you will have to split the weight between the weight pockets and a weight belt. Most BCs are designed to only hold about 24-26 lbs at the most (10 in the ditchable pouches and 4-6 in the trim pockets. Another option would be to purchase a back plate and wing system. The back plate will weigh 6-7 lbs. You can put another 20 lbs in ditchable pockets. You can also use channel weights to add more weight on your back. You will still probably have to use a weight belt, but with less material, you will need less weight.
Mayor
Contributor
That sounds like a lot of weight and before you spend money on some crazy single tank set up please do your self a favor and get a good weight check. As a new diver I never had anyone help me with this and had to learn on my own. It really took some time to zero things in and as you dive more you will find your weight needs changes but you need a good starting point. Any friends that are new divers I offer to help them with a weight check because I feel it's the most important thing I can do to help them improve as a diver.
Ask the LDS or instructor to help you with a good weight check. Pay for it if you have to. This will put you way ahead of most divers at your level. I hear so many times people just adding weight and not thinking about the effect it has on the dive (to much weight is just as bad as not enough weight). Just by having an extra 2lbs makes you add air into the wing. This causes drag and makes you use more air because your working harder then you have to.
The other issue is the air changes in the wing/BC at depth. So the more air you have in the wing the more changes you will have to make during the dive. The more changes you make the more air you use. Not to mention ditching 35lbs at depth and shooting to the surface.
Another thing is take a look at a BP/W so you know what options you have. It might not be the right set up for you but now you can make an informed purchase.
Ask the LDS or instructor to help you with a good weight check. Pay for it if you have to. This will put you way ahead of most divers at your level. I hear so many times people just adding weight and not thinking about the effect it has on the dive (to much weight is just as bad as not enough weight). Just by having an extra 2lbs makes you add air into the wing. This causes drag and makes you use more air because your working harder then you have to.
The other issue is the air changes in the wing/BC at depth. So the more air you have in the wing the more changes you will have to make during the dive. The more changes you make the more air you use. Not to mention ditching 35lbs at depth and shooting to the surface.
Another thing is take a look at a BP/W so you know what options you have. It might not be the right set up for you but now you can make an informed purchase.
Jorgy
Contributor
Assuming 45 lbs is the correct amount of ballast....
I would certainly look at a BP/W.....
A stainless steel plate with weighted single tank adapter, can replace 10 - 12 lbs of lead.....
There are special BP weights and heavier BP's that can add another 5-9 lbs....
The 2" webbing is infinitely adjustable for perfect fit........there are "comfort" harnesses that offer buckles and padding that may be more comfortable for you.....
A BP/W has minimal inherent buoyancy......some BCD's are up to 3 lbs buoyant..
You can split lead between a weight belt (or harness such as a DUI Weight and Trim) and the rig itself....I think that diving with a 10-16 lb belt is much better than a 40 lb belt......
BP/W offers more options to locating ballast...so trimming out should be easier......
Finally you can get a wing with the right amount of lift, independent of BCD size....
Food for thought.........
Hope this helps.......M
I would certainly look at a BP/W.....
A stainless steel plate with weighted single tank adapter, can replace 10 - 12 lbs of lead.....
There are special BP weights and heavier BP's that can add another 5-9 lbs....
The 2" webbing is infinitely adjustable for perfect fit........there are "comfort" harnesses that offer buckles and padding that may be more comfortable for you.....
A BP/W has minimal inherent buoyancy......some BCD's are up to 3 lbs buoyant..
You can split lead between a weight belt (or harness such as a DUI Weight and Trim) and the rig itself....I think that diving with a 10-16 lb belt is much better than a 40 lb belt......
BP/W offers more options to locating ballast...so trimming out should be easier......
Finally you can get a wing with the right amount of lift, independent of BCD size....
Food for thought.........
Hope this helps.......M
That is a fair amount of weight but in the range I needed with my Jacket BC, neoprene drysuit w/ a light garment in the ocean so it's not unbelievable. Everyone's point to do a weight check is well taken as it's good to periodically revisit that part of your configuration.
I would really consider getting a weight harness such as a DUI for that much lead. it will be easier on you and your BC. IMO the only weight that should be integrated is what you need on your upper body to achieve horizontal trim. When a weight belt is much over 20 pounds IMO it starts getting ugly.
If you go with a plate and wing you may shed 2-4 pounds of weight that is in the form of jacket buoyancy. On top of that the plate will represent something like 5 pounds of your required lead. Those 2 factors could get you down into the mid to low 30's for a weight load. If you find you are over weighted it could drop even more.
Pete
muddysquirrel
Registered
Another vote for a BP/W.
SS plate + weighted STA ~ 10 lbs
P-weight (channel weight) 13 lbs
Ankle weights 4 lbs
Tobin's bolt on plates 8-10 lbs
Added up you're down to 5-10 lbs on your belt.... a very manageable amount. Steel tanks also tend to help as well.
Most importantly, double check both the amount of weight you need (with an experienced buddy/instructor) and the distribution/trim of that weight. With that much weight, distributing it properly will make or break your ability to maintain good trim. The above set-up will distribute the majority of your ballast along your torso, you may find yourself needing to move your tank back, plate back, add ankle weights, or use a tail weight to counter the head-down attitude this gives you. Where you need the weight is just as important as how much weight you need.... proper trim will make all the difference in the world to your diving.
As usual, take the ideas that sound the least crazy from here, grab a good buddy, and spend some quality time in the water.
SS plate + weighted STA ~ 10 lbs
P-weight (channel weight) 13 lbs
Ankle weights 4 lbs
Tobin's bolt on plates 8-10 lbs
Added up you're down to 5-10 lbs on your belt.... a very manageable amount. Steel tanks also tend to help as well.
Most importantly, double check both the amount of weight you need (with an experienced buddy/instructor) and the distribution/trim of that weight. With that much weight, distributing it properly will make or break your ability to maintain good trim. The above set-up will distribute the majority of your ballast along your torso, you may find yourself needing to move your tank back, plate back, add ankle weights, or use a tail weight to counter the head-down attitude this gives you. Where you need the weight is just as important as how much weight you need.... proper trim will make all the difference in the world to your diving.
As usual, take the ideas that sound the least crazy from here, grab a good buddy, and spend some quality time in the water.
scubafanatic
Contributor
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Take Tobin up on his offer, he has a good reputation on this board, I've spoken to him on the phone, and he's quite intelligent and will give you invaluable advice, listen to him. Im curious as to why you say you need 40 - 45# ? As mentioned, that's quite a lot of weight, and if I had to schlep around all my scuba gear/tank AND 45# weight, diving would start to suck! You need a reality check, get with a local dive shop you trust, and get with an instructor/DM there to help you with your weighting in a pool/lake as it will be some of the best $/time you'll ever spend on scuba ! Being grossly overwighted has a domino effect which will cause you all sorts of problems in the future, as other posters have just listed here.
OP
farmerstephen13
Registered
Thank you all for the advice, I have found that like all you said I was way overweighted, by the third dive I was able to shed 12 pounds, and when I do buy a setup I am going to go with the BP/W setup.
rstofer
Contributor
Great! I had a suspicion the numbers were a little high!
Next step: try to start using steel tanks instead of aluminum 80s. That will take 6# off for no effort. It will also help with your trim by putting more weight on you back.
A BP/W will usually have a 6# stainless steel backplate. That takes more weight off your belt.
Now you're down to a little over 20# on your weightbelt. Personally, I use the DUI Weight & Trim Classic harness because I don't have hips. A weightbelt just doesn't work out.
You should be able to float on the surface wearing your weight harness without your BP/W. Your BP/W should be able to float on the surface with a fully inflated wing and a full tank. You don't want to put all of the weight on the BP/W because you will need a larger wing.
It should work out that you need a 30# wing for diving in cold water with a 7mm wetsuit and an HP100 tank. If at all possible, you would want to avoid going to a 40# wing for singles.
And be sure to put Deep Sea Supply on your shortlist of BP/W suppliers. I certainly like mine!
Richard
Next step: try to start using steel tanks instead of aluminum 80s. That will take 6# off for no effort. It will also help with your trim by putting more weight on you back.
A BP/W will usually have a 6# stainless steel backplate. That takes more weight off your belt.
Now you're down to a little over 20# on your weightbelt. Personally, I use the DUI Weight & Trim Classic harness because I don't have hips. A weightbelt just doesn't work out.
You should be able to float on the surface wearing your weight harness without your BP/W. Your BP/W should be able to float on the surface with a fully inflated wing and a full tank. You don't want to put all of the weight on the BP/W because you will need a larger wing.
It should work out that you need a 30# wing for diving in cold water with a 7mm wetsuit and an HP100 tank. If at all possible, you would want to avoid going to a 40# wing for singles.
And be sure to put Deep Sea Supply on your shortlist of BP/W suppliers. I certainly like mine!
Richard
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