Weird weight problem

[netwurk13]

I'm a warm water diver that usually uses from 4 to 6 pounds of lead with a 3mm wetsuit down in Miami (full or shorty). Mostly all salt water dives. Here's my setup:

AL Dive Rite BP
30LB Oxycheq wing
SS Cam Straps w/small sta
AL 80 Tanks
Dive Rite Transplate Harness

I've never really put on thick exposure protection until recently. I went down to the cenotes of mexico two weeks ago and it was somewhat cold. I layered a 3 mm full and a 3 mm shorty. I used 6 pounds of weight and I was good, maybe even a little over-weighted. Also, the cenotes are planned as fresh water dives. I just bought a neosport 7mm/5mm and used it yesterday, for the first time, in a fresh water lake. I had to use 12 lbs to get down and I still felt I could have used 2 more. No other configuration changes besides the wetsuit. Any ideas why I needed so much weight?

 

[Jax]

I'm a warm water diver that usually uses from 4 to 6 pounds of lead with a 3mm wetsuit down in Miami (full or shorty). Mostly all salt water dives. Here's my setup:

AL Dive Rite BP
30LB Oxycheq wing
SS Cam Straps w/small sta
AL 80 Tanks
Dive Rite Transplate Harness

I've never really put on thick exposure protection until recently. I went down to the cenotes of mexico two weeks ago and it was somewhat cold. I layered a 3 mm full and a 3 mm shorty. I used 6 pounds of weight and I was good, maybe even a little over-weighted. Also, the cenotes are planned as fresh water dives. I just bought a neosport 7mm/5mm and used it yesterday, for the first time, in a fresh water lake. I had to use 12 lbs to get down and I still felt I could have used 2 more. No other configuration changes besides the wetsuit. Any ideas why I needed so much weight?

How old are your 3mm's? Is it possible they are compressed, and you are comparing that to brand new neoprene?

 

[Karibelle]

That would be my guess as well; new wetsuit.

I normally dive in a 5mm with a 5 mm hooded vest. When I switch to a new 5 mm for the under layer, I normally need at least 4 extra pound until the suit has 40 or so dives on it.

 

[Lead_carrier]

Along with what Jax was saying, you also are putting on more neoprene. With a 3 mil and a 3mil shorty you can figure you had a 6/3. With a 7/5 you have 1 extra mil on your core and 2 extra mils on your extremities. And as Jax said, the 3 mil is probably compressed. Keep wearing the 7/5 and it will compress over time and you'll be able to start dropping weight again.

 

[netwurk13]

Good point concerning the age of the wetsuit. When I was in Mexico wearing the 3mm full and 3mm shorty, the full was a rental, I'm sure that one's been used and abused. The shorty was mine and it's about a year old.

 

[netwurk13]

Could these differences really require double the weight??

 

[Karibelle]

Sure they could. A new 7 mm is quite a buoyant suit.

 

[boulderjohn]

I fully agree with those who do not find the amount of weight you need to be surprising. I put students in 7 mm suits often, and I try to keep them as close to properly weighted as possible. What you describe is not at all surprising.

 

[nsylver]

Agree with all the above, on a side note, did you rent tanks when in Mexico (logical choice)? or did you bring your own? If so, did they use aluminum or steel? Just another angle to view this from.

 

[netwurk13]

Thanks for the help everyone! nsylver, they used aluminum.