Sidemount Weight for AL80s

[DaveJo127]

For those of you that dive sidemount AL80s in a wetsuit, how much weight do you personally need per thickness of the wetsuit and water type? Should I add 3-4lbs to what I usually use for singles?

Got sidemount trained last year and only recently got a sidemount BC, so haven't had much practice yet. I know weighting's different for everyone, just trying to get an idea.

 

[bamafan]

Most people I know dive 4-6 lbs with 2 al80's and a 3-5 mil wetsuit. This is with a Razor or minimalist style rig. If you are diving something with a lot of padding it might be a little more.

 

[tbone1004]

depends on what rig it is, but adding about 4lbs over a single rig with an al80 should be close enough

 

[DaveJo127]

My rig is the new Nomad LS. I plan on switching to LP85s eventually when I can afford it since cold-ish water is the only affordable diving you can around here. Just learning how to work with the Aluminums in the meantime.

 

[tbone1004]

add 4lbs to what you were using with a stab jacket and a single AL80 and go from there. There is no magic rule to lead per mm thickness of neoprene

 

[kafkaland]

For those of you that dive sidemount AL80s in a wetsuit, how much weight do you personally need per thickness of the wetsuit and water type? Should I add 3-4lbs to what I usually use for singles?

Got sidemount trained last year and only recently got a sidemount BC, so haven't had much practice yet. I know weighting's different for everyone, just trying to get an idea.

I dive a pair of AL80s with a Razor harness, 5mil wetsuit and canister light, and use zero weight in freshwater (Mexican caves).

 

[DaveJo127]

add 4lbs to what you were using with a stab jacket and a single AL80 and go from there. There is no magic rule to lead per mm thickness of neoprene

Yeah that was my hypothesis. Thanks!

 

[DaveJo127]

You guys in the Razor harnesses must be some sinkers lol. It takes me about 6-10lbs plus a steel backplate to stay down in a thick wetsuit with an AL80.

 

[tbone1004]

You guys in the Razor harnesses must be some sinkers lol. It takes me about 6-10lbs plus a steel backplate to stay down in a thick wetsuit with an AL80.

then you must be very floaty... I'm neutral with an AL80 and a SS plate in a 5mm, I'm skeptical of the twin 80's with no weight in a 5mm if the tanks were truly empty, but it is what it is.

 

[bamafan]

You guys in the Razor harnesses must be some sinkers lol. It takes me about 6-10lbs plus a steel backplate to stay down in a thick wetsuit with an AL80.

I use a Razor in the Mexican caves and I have used up to 7 Al80's + a 30 cft bottle for deco. I didn't have any problems staying down coming out with 1k in each tank and I was in a 5mil with 6 pounds. I definitely use less weight that I did with my backplate and wing. I am definitely not skinny at 6'4 / 250 lbs.