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weighting for drysuit diving
- Thread starter Uncle Pug
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I was interested in methods to determine correct weighting. I learned from OW instructor that you should float neutral with empty wing eyes level with the surface. A few years and a climate/exposure suit change later another dive pro suggested playing with weight at the safety stop depth, with <500 psi, seated on the bottom I began handing over weight in 2lb increments to a buddy until lifting ever so slightly then taking 2lbs back. This method (and more comfort with the gear) helped me shed 12lbs.
Then I started looking at drysuits, dove a couple (tri-lam,5mm,2.5mm) and bought a 2.5mm one, this has thrown my weighting out of whack with the buoyancy of the suit and my novice abilities with it. Today I read on this board that the seated at 15fsw method wasn't necesarily the best (for reasons other than sitting on the bottom), so I'd be interested in preferred methods from the gallery.
Then I started looking at drysuits, dove a couple (tri-lam,5mm,2.5mm) and bought a 2.5mm one, this has thrown my weighting out of whack with the buoyancy of the suit and my novice abilities with it. Today I read on this board that the seated at 15fsw method wasn't necesarily the best (for reasons other than sitting on the bottom), so I'd be interested in preferred methods from the gallery.
OP
A primary goal in proper weighting is to be able to control your ascent during the last most critical phase of the dive: from safety stop to the surface.
Now a lot folks consider their dive over after the safety stop and just blow to the surface. This is unwise. A very slow ascent is much preferred. There are times I will take several minutes to do the last five feet.
Therefore... IMO you should be weighted so as to allow this kind of final control in your ascent. I don't know if you can accomplish this with weighting yourself neutral at 15' with 500psi in the tank.
Since you are not diving a trilaminate drysuit you will gain bouyancy in the last 15' not only from suit gas expansion but also from the material itself.
I would suggest going through the same proceedure you describe (handing off small weights) but do it in very shallow water (~5') with only a couple hundred psi in your tank. Find the weight where a full inhalation will cause you to rise and a full exhalation will cause you to sink.
Ultimately you should be able to control your final ascent from 5' just using breathing at a 5fpm rate.
Now a lot folks consider their dive over after the safety stop and just blow to the surface. This is unwise. A very slow ascent is much preferred. There are times I will take several minutes to do the last five feet.
Therefore... IMO you should be weighted so as to allow this kind of final control in your ascent. I don't know if you can accomplish this with weighting yourself neutral at 15' with 500psi in the tank.
Since you are not diving a trilaminate drysuit you will gain bouyancy in the last 15' not only from suit gas expansion but also from the material itself.
I would suggest going through the same proceedure you describe (handing off small weights) but do it in very shallow water (~5') with only a couple hundred psi in your tank. Find the weight where a full inhalation will cause you to rise and a full exhalation will cause you to sink.
Ultimately you should be able to control your final ascent from 5' just using breathing at a 5fpm rate.
I am glad to see that I am not the only one who does not use the 15' with 500psi rule for weight.
I always wondered how those people would do a slow rise the the surface from the safety stop. I guess they usually don't.
I always wondered how those people would do a slow rise the the surface from the safety stop. I guess they usually don't.
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