How much weight to add for Henderson Suit?

[jeffack1]

Hi all! I have just completed my confined water dives on my way to being certified. I am going to be doing my open water dives in the BVI's to complete my certification.

Here is my question. On my confined water dives, I was using 4 lbs without a wetsuit and that seemed to work very well in the pool. I hooked up with the guys and Scubatoys and they have set me up with a Zeagle Brigade and a Henderson Hyperstretch 3 mil wetsuit. How much additional weight should I start out with to compesate for the bouancy of the wetsuit?

If anybody can give me a good idea as to what amount to start with, I would appreciate it. Also, if anyone has any suggestons on using the rear weight trim pockets, that would be helpful.

Jeff

 

[scubatoys]

Hi all! I have just completed my confined water dives on my way to being certified. I am going to be doing my open water dives in the BVI's to complete my certification.

Here is my question. On my confined water dives, I was using 4 lbs without a wetsuit and that seemed to work very well in the pool. I hooked up with the guys and Scubatoys and they have set me up with a Zeagle Brigade and a Henderson Hyperstretch 3 mil wetsuit. How much additional weight should I start out with to compesate for the bouancy of the wetsuit?

If anybody can give me a good idea as to what amount to start with, I would appreciate it. Also, if anyone has any suggestons on using the rear weight trim pockets, that would be helpful.

Jeff

That suit should add about 3 lbs of lift... and of course, if diving in salt instead of the pool, you might have to add another 3 or so... So If me... I'd use about 8 in fresh, or 10 or so in salt. Of course you mileage may vary!

 

[Chad Carney]

Hi all! I have just completed my confined water dives on my way to being certified. I am going to be doing my open water dives in the BVI's to complete my certification.

Here is my question. On my confined water dives, I was using 4 lbs without a wetsuit and that seemed to work very well in the pool. I hooked up with the guys and Scubatoys and they have set me up with a Zeagle Brigade and a Henderson Hyperstretch 3 mil wetsuit. How much additional weight should I start out with to compesate for the bouancy of the wetsuit?

If anybody can give me a good idea as to what amount to start with, I would appreciate it. Also, if anyone has any suggestons on using the rear weight trim pockets, that would be helpful.

Jeff

JA1,

BVI OW dives, it's a tough life huh?

Great BC and wetsuit, but many variables also exist.

Your personal buoyancy level, fresh to salt water, aluminum tank vs. steel tank, full tank vs. 500 psi tank, your breathing volume, etc.

A recent student just dove the same scenario with me here in Tampa Bay.
With a steel HP100 cu ft tank in the pool at 500 psi, and with a 3mm Scubapro jumpsuit, 6 pounds was perfect in a buoyancy test.
The next day in salt water 10 miles offshore, with 10 pounds (and a little anxiety) he was ok, but we didn't get below 1000 pounds. I added two pounds for dive #2, and he did fine, probably didn't need them despite ending his dive with 500 psi in the boat. It's about relaxing and exhaling.

** A steel HP 100 is about 5 lbs more negative than an aluminum 80.**

Rear weight pockets are all about trim. Put 2 pounds in each if your tank is an alum. 80. Keep that weight in mind as a part of your total weighting.

Enjoy... it'll be hard not to!

Chad

 

[jeffack1]

Thanks for the info. I was using an al80 tank in the pool with 4 lbs of weight and no wetsuit and had no problems.

I was thinking of starting out with 6 lbs in the weight pockets and 4 lbs in the trim pockets. I figure that this should be about right for the increase in bouancy for the saltwater and the 3 mil suit.

Any thoughts on 8 lbs in the front and two in the trim pockets? or any other combinations?

Thanks again for the help,

Jeff

 

[halocline]

You'll have to account for positive buoyancy of the new BC as well. If you have a chance, when you arrive, see if the dive op will let you plunk in right off shore with a tank that has 500-700psi. (Of course, you only want to do this if there's a safe, confined area) This way you can fine tune your buoyancy; as you'll be surprised how variable you weight requirement is for a while. Don't be afraid to take an extra couple of pounds or you may end up finning upside down for your safety stops. As far as weight distribution, you'll be getting used to the new BC for a while anyway, wouldn't surprise me if you end up moving weight around a little until you find your best trim.

 

[redacted]

My wife's henderson 3mm gold core 1-piece size small adds 4 pounds of bouyancy to her rig. My seaquest 3mm 2-piece size XL added 8 pounds bouyancy to my rig. YMMV
I measured the bouyancy of all my neoprene in a pool. Makes configuring much easier.