I'm going to Florida, need help with weighting

[Empty V]

Hey everyone, I'm going to Florida next week and will be diving a 3mm full suit instead of my normal 8,7,6,5mm with integrated hood. My question is how much weight should I drop? My wetsuit is the only gear that will be different from my normal diving setup. So any help from those who normally dive in our cold water and have ventured to warmer waters in a 3mm full suit will be greatly appreciated. I normally dive an HP119 tank and will be renting a LP95 and those 2 tanks have almost identical weight properties so that wont complicate things.

Thanks!

Billy

 

[Rickster]

Billy,
How much do you dive with now?

Rick

 

[TeqP]

Get rid of the 3mm full suit and go with a 2 ro 3mm shorty. The water should be warm right now. I was in Ft. Lauderdale during Labor Day a few years ago and was fine with a 2mm shorty. Temps as I recall were in the 78-82 range and we did 4-5 dives a day. Enjoy the trip.

 

[xSandman3]

I do this switch a lot, using a 3mm to teach in the pool and a 7mm for OW. The weight difference for me is right around 20lbs. If I were diving using the tanks you mentioned, I'd probably have to carry about 4 lbs total with the 3mm.

If possible, get in a pool and do buoyancy checks with both suits.

 

[aowdan]

saturday the 14th, the water was 89 degrees (at looe key). i was in shorts and a longsleeve rashguard. after 3 dives, i would have used my 1mm full, but i was out of tanks by then

dano

 

[Empty V]

I need the full suit because of the jellyfish outbreak occuring right now. I'm also going to be hitting about 135fsw so I'm not sure what the temps will be at depth. I appreciate everyones responses but I'm just looking for a number from those that have done what I have described. Right now I'm diving with 10lbs and hope that it isn't more than a 6lbs swing.

And Phil, where the hell have ya been? Why haven't you been diving with us lately?

Thanks again!
Billy

 

[Leejnd]

Billy, when I did the Oriskany, I used a 3-mil sans hood & gloves, and I dropped exactly 6 pounds. Naturally, YMMV. Be sure to do a weight check on the surface before you descend, and have some extra weights on the boat in case you need them.

Also, I should point out that the waters off Pensacola can be colder than the waters at other Florida dive destinations, such as the Keys. When I did it in April, the temps were about 68 -- definitely worthy of a full 3-mil. And I do recall hitting a thermocline at some point (although I only went down to 109 - I stayed around the island and didn't hit the flight deck.) So I think you're wise to go with the full suit.

 

[Rickster]

Be sure to do a weight check on the surface before you descend, and have some extra weights on the boat in case you need them.

Answer of the day award!

Rick

 

[reeldreams]

I dive 8lb with a 3mi suit and lp95 tank

 

[robertarak]

In my 7 mil here in Cali., I have 5.3 pounds added to my plate and 8 pounds on my waist. Diving Coz with w/ 3 mil (no gloves or hood) I got rid of the 5.3 on my plate and had 6 pounds on my waist.