Weighting for Freshwater,Drysuit, Al 80 Dive Questions

[jim T.]

I'm planning on diving the Bonne Terre Mine in Mo. in a couple of weeks. I'm a salt water drysuit diver, primarily, with one recent fresh water dive under my belt.

I'd like a reality check on my weighting for the mine dives.

Super 80 tanks are provided at the mine. I may only be able to test dive a standard AL 80 before I leave for MO. I usually dive Steel LP 95s singles.

In my one fresh water dive, at 10' I trimmed out well and held my safety stop using 32 lbs. with my 200 gram undersuit and an LP 95.

For an AL 80 I figured I should add 4-5lbs. for 36-37lbs. of lead and backplate total weight which would bring me to my usual amount of weight in salt water with the steel tank(s). I can get away with 34-35lbs. but usually weight a little heavier in my area due to having to stay on the bottom in currents to "claw" my way back to shore at places like Keystone Jetty, etc. or descend quickly on drift/boat dives. Let's consider 36lbs. my "usual" amount of lead/backplate weight for singles here...

I have no access to a Super 80 to try. Any advice would be appreciated as I have never dove one.
Lastly, there is a possibility that AL 100s may be provided at the Mine, as well.
Any advice for weighting with that tank would also be appreciated, just in case.

I'm 5'11&3/4" and weight 205 if that helps with advice trimming out the possible AL 100.

Am I on track thinking that my usual salt water weighting will be about right?
I'd love to bring my own steel tanks but there's an 80' vertical climb up and down steps at the mine so I'll be renting theirs.

Thanks very much.

 

[SparticleBrane]

My first question: What is a "super 80" ?
32lbs of weight with a drysuit, plus an LP95? You sound pretty overweighted to me. I'm essentially your size and I don't use anything close to that. :11:

 

[jim T.]

Hi SB,
I've not been able to stay down or at least hold my safety stops with less than 34lbs.
after about 86 dives using LP 95s and slinging a 30cf pony. I realize this is generally considered to be overweighted, but that's the minimum that consistently works for me.
32 trimmed out perfectly in one lake dive at 15' and 10', so for now, anyway, that seems to be right for me and my undersuit in fresh water. I may be able to drop some lead some day/eventually but for now, that's the reality.

What amount of weight do you use? Similar undersuit? LP 95s?

Super 80s are 8" dia. squat 22" length tanks that hold true 80cf as opposed to standard 80's 77cf. If you go to the Bonne Terre Mine site, there are pics.