Ranger LTD component sizing

[bigsnowdog]

I read in these forums about the ability to choose bladder size. More specifically, choosing a smaller one than is standard equipment on the Ranger LTD or plain Ranger.

Some suggest there is advantage to that. How does one decide which bladder to get with one of these BCD's? How much flotation does a person need?

 

[mark00020]

Your BC should be able to float all your gear (regs, weights, tank, etc) at the surface with a couple extra pounds of lift. The ranger comes with a 44lb wing, so it depends on how much weight you wear and how heavy your tank is... all stuff you'd have to figure out. If you search around there is an excel chart for figuring out wing size somewhere on here.
A smaller wing will create less drag making you more efficient in the water.

For example, I wear 14 lbs. of weight and my tank is 14.5 lbs negative when full (faber MP100) so I need more than 28.5 lbs (little extra safety margin, plus lifting your head out of the water) so I would pick a 34 lb. wing if I was choosing one. I personally dive the ranger with the 44 lb. wing because that is what it came with, and the wings are expensive. It is there for me when I move to doubles and a dry suit (doubles are ~ 18 lbs negative, dry suit is very buoyant so I need 22 lb of weight... 40 lb. needed, 44lb is perfect.) You'll have to figure out the specifics on your own, AND TEST IT OUT SAFELY.

 

[ScottZeagle]

Mark summed it up pretty well, so I will just add one other thought:

Many of the people that post on these forums have lots and lots of dives under their belts. They feel as at home in the water as they do behind a keybord.

Those people, I believe, sometimes forget that when they were new and/or inexperienced divers they had different requirements than they do now, so they tell people what they have learned over the years or what they currently use.

It is not at all uncommon to see someone say "No one needs 44lbs of lift!!" without knowing what type of diving you are doing, what kind of exposure suit you are wearing, or how comfortable a person is in the water...which plays a pretty significant role is determining what is needed, imho.

Just something to keep in mind!!!

Scott

 

[bigsnowdog]

Mark summed it up pretty well, so I will just add one other thought:

Many of the people that post on these forums have lots and lots of dives under their belts. They feel as at home in the water as they do behind a keybord.

Those people, I believe, sometimes forget that when they were new and/or inexperienced divers they had different requirements than they do now, so they tell people what they have learned over the years or what they currently use.

It is not at all uncommon to see someone say "No one needs 44lbs of lift!!" without knowing what type of diving you are doing, what kind of exposure suit you are wearing, or how comfortable a person is in the water...which plays a pretty significant role is determining what is needed, imho.

Just something to keep in mind!!!

Scott

A first response to your remarks would be; single tank of the common aluminum size, mostly a 7mm wetsuit. I believe I am comfortable in the water, but admit to being unsure as to the significance of that.

 

[ScottZeagle]

As people get more comfortable in the water (which usually is relative to the number of dives they do, but not always) they breathe easier and relax more....which allows them to wear less weight then a person who is tense, nervous and will not fully exhale.

As for how much lift you need, we still don't know your body makeup. For example, I am 6'3" and 230lbs. In the summer, I wear a swim suit and tee shirt and dive a Stiletto BC with 24lbs of lift. I am using steel tanks and wear about 8 lbs of lead. However, if I were to wear a drysuit, I would need much more lead and would not use a 24lb lift bladder....

 

[bigsnowdog]

As people get more comfortable in the water (which usually is relative to the number of dives they do, but not always) they breathe easier and relax more....which allows them to wear less weight then a person who is tense, nervous and will not fully exhale.

As for how much lift you need, we still don't know your body makeup. For example, I am 6'3" and 230lbs. In the summer, I wear a swim suit and tee shirt and dive a Stiletto BC with 24lbs of lift. I am using steel tanks and wear about 8 lbs of lead. However, if I were to wear a drysuit, I would need much more lead and would not use a 24lb lift bladder....

I am 6' 1-1/2", 225 lb., and with a 7mm wetsuit, hood, and gloves, had 24 pounds of weight.

 

[bigsnowdog]

What do you suggest?

 

[ScottZeagle]

Are you doing the majority of your diving in your home territory, using the gear you mentioned, I would probably stick with the standard bladder on the Ranger or LTD.

However, you could get away with the 35lb bladder if you want to travel with the BC as well, or just want something a little less bulky.

It really comes down to what you prefer.

 

[bigsnowdog]

Are you doing the majority of your diving in your home territory, using the gear you mentioned, I would probably stick with the standard bladder on the Ranger or LTD.

However, you could get away with the 35lb bladder if you want to travel with the BC as well, or just want something a little less bulky.

It really comes down to what you prefer.

Thank you!