How heavy is equip on land?
- Thread starter glenn69
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It depends on your configuration. You can expect up to 50 lbs, maybe more.
It really isn't that big an issue, most sites you are pretty close to the water or you are on a boat and just jump in (assuming you don't fall over first 
)
I recently started diving double 104's (a heavy as hell steel tank). The tanks alone (tanks, valves and gas) weight well over 100 lbs. I first thought it was going to kill me as I'm hiking up and down stairs to get to the water but I got used to it soon enough.
Now the only thing that its killing is the suspension on my car.
)I recently started diving double 104's (a heavy as hell steel tank). The tanks alone (tanks, valves and gas) weight well over 100 lbs. I first thought it was going to kill me as I'm hiking up and down stairs to get to the water but I got used to it soon enough.
Now the only thing that its killing is the suspension on my car.
Charlie99
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Figure about 60 pounds. A full AL80 tank is about 38 pounds. Add in 12 pounds of lead weight and you are up to 50 pounds. BC, wetsuit, regs and other stuff is 10 pounds more or less.glenn69:
If diving with a commercial dive boat, talk to the boat crew. They have probably dealt with this problem before and can help you sort out the best way to deal with it, such as taking off your gear in the water before getting back onboard. Just remember, remove WEIGHT BELT FIRST!
I find that the gear weight is most evident when trying to climb up the ladder at the end of the dive, while the boat is bouncing up and down.
Mrs.Prages
Contributor
Another thing to consider is how much the stuff weighs when not on. I find that lugging the gear box around can get very tiring. Pack it well and find a good strong box to lug it all around in.
BrianS
Contributor
Many of the dive gear bags have wheels on them.
cmalinowski
Contributor
Hmmm... My config is probably about 65+lbs dry. Add water in a wet suit and it gets heavier.
CameronMartz
Fitness Instructor
glenn69:
The weight isn't the only issue- there really isn't any 100% back-friendly way to pick up things like tanks. Yes, there are better ways and worse ways, but if your back is particularly sensitive, you must really pay attention to using the little tricks that will save you. For example, it's best to store or place your gear at a level between knee- and hip-height. This will help to reduce the sheer load on your lumbar spine when lifting and placing your gear.
Whenever possible, use carts to wheel your gear from your vehicle to your dive site or boat. Even better, get someone else to do it. <g>
Cameron
O2BBubbleFree
Contributor
Seems like I read on one of the side-mount web sites that one of the advantages of side-mounts was that it makes it easier to haul heavy tanks long distances over rough terrain...
Rather than carry one 80 on your back, what about side-mounting two 40's? Wouldn't that help take the load off of your back? Pretty unconventional, though...
And you would have all the normal gas management concerns of diving with independent doubles.
Rather than carry one 80 on your back, what about side-mounting two 40's? Wouldn't that help take the load off of your back? Pretty unconventional, though...
And you would have all the normal gas management concerns of diving with independent doubles.
Kestrell
Guest
glenn69:
It can really depend on the equipment you are using, which will definitely depend on where and when you are diving.
Most of the gear isn't too bad. Fins, mask and snorkle are pretty light. So is your wet suit (dry suits can be a bit heavier, but not too bad). Regs gauges and all of the other normal stuff are, by them selves fairly light as well. All told everything I've mentioned is between 10-20 lbs (just a guess).
The real issues are your tank and the weight you carry to keep you down. A single (full) tank can be 20+ to 30+ pounds or more, and depending where, when and how you dive, fresh water or salt, cold water or tropical, wet or dry, you could have to add 20+ additional pounds (hopefully less if you are weighted propperly) or you might not have to add any weight at all.
So any way, you could have anywhere from 30 to 70+ pounds of gear.
If you get into diving doubles and/or carrying decompression cylinders for more advanced diving, or if you specialize in some of the more technical aspects of diving this could drastically increase.
My best advise is to talk to you LDS and have them help you select the best gear for you. Remember though that it isn't always the lightest gear that will be the best choice. With a back problem it is just as important to get a BC or BP/W that hold the weight of your tank securely so it isn't flopping around. Also, you should be creative. Don't gear up and walk to your entry point if you can carry your gear to the entry point and then gear up and walk in. Boat dives are great since you can usually just gear up and fall over the side of the boat.
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