How much lift provided by BC?

[BLD_THRST]

Guys,

I realise that there are many types of BCs out there providing different levels of lift but how do I know how much lift that I need? So far, I only inflate my BC on the surface in 2 situations: 1) while waiting for the whole group to be ready before descending or 2) to rest on the surface while waiting for the boat to pick me up...

Underwater, I will just regulate my breathing to control my buoyancy on an empty BC...

 

[Packhorse]

You need enough lift to keep you neutrally bouyant with full tanks and to compensate for the crush of your wetsuit at depth.

 

[BLD_THRST]

How would i be able to know how much lift i actually need as the LDS would not be able to let me try out different BCs. The thing is, I am trying to minimise my lift, hence, the size of the bladder i.e. smaller BC for easy packing.... )

 

[ApexLongimanus]

It also depends on where and what kind of diving you want to do. Cold water requires more equipment / tech diving requires more equipment etc...
You want to be able to comfortably lift all the stuff back up.

 

[RikRaeder]

So does that mean that as long as bc lift > equipment weight (figuring that you and your suit will be positively buoyant) you are aok?

 

[Mike126]

I'm a novice so take my advice as such...

One thing you can do to determine your weight requirements is to suit up with your gear and in the deep end of a pool/lake/etc. add or subtract weight so that when you exhale all the way you sink slightly below the surface and when you inhale all the way your eyes are at the surface. Make sure there is no air in the BC.

That will give you the weight you need to dive with and your BC should be able to support that.

I dive with ~20#s in a 7mm wetsuit. My Zeagle has a 35# bladder. If you are diving singles then it is unlikely that you would need more than a 35# bladder.

Mike

 

[Splitlip]

So does that mean that as long as bc lift > equipment weight (figuring that you and your suit will be positively buoyant) you are aok?

Equipment (neg) buoyancy, not neccessarilly the weight. A 40# tank may only be 10 # negative in the water.
And a positively buoyant suit equals MORE weight you will carry to offset it's buoyancy at the surface. At depth the suit LOSES buoyancy. Do a search here, past threads will help