what size wing?

[lmurtha1]

Another question regarding my bp/w setup. I'm using a halcyon bp/w single setup and I'm going to be using a 130 cu steel tank. I'm 6'7" 330 lbs and sink like a rock so I'm def neg. Bouyant. The question is should I use a 30lb wing or 40lb wing? I've made a phone calls to a few instructors but are awaiting their call. The owner of the dive shop I purchased it from who is a tech 2 instructor said that's what I need but just wondering ur thoughts? I know that a lot of times people have too big of wings which causes an array of problems with trim and bouyancy. Do you think that's the correct wing setup?

 

[fisheater]

A lot depends upon the your exposure protection. What'll you be wearing and how buoyant is it?

BTW, Tobin of Deep Sea Supply (Cool_Hardware52) is the guru for such matters and you owe it to yourself to look into his products, too.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

As fisheater mentioned, we'll have to know the buoyancy of your exposure protection (thickest wetsuit or drysuit + heaviest undergarment). You also need to let us know the composition of your backplate (SS or AL), how much lead you are wearing, and where that weight is positioned (on you in the form of a weight belt/harness OR attached to the rig in the form of Halcyon ACB pockets and tank camband weight pockets).

Did the owner/Tech 2 instructor tell you how to determine minimum lift for the wing?

Your wing needs to have enough lift to do the greater of the following:

• Enough lift to float your rig (with full tank) at the surface without you in it, or
• Enough lift to compensate for complete loss of buoyancy of your exposure protection.

 

[dbulmer]

Imurtha,


Bubbletrubble has indicated what you have to consider but I'd go for a 40lb wing. There's very little difference between (30 and 40 underwater) but if you end up in rough seas you'll find that extra bit of lift more comfortable in the water on the surface.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

Another question regarding my bp/w setup. I'm using a halcyon bp/w single setup and I'm going to be using a 130 cu steel tank. I'm 6'7" 330 lbs and sink like a rock so I'm def neg. Bouyant. The question is should I use a 30lb wing or 40lb wing? I've made a phone calls to a few instructors but are awaiting their call. The owner of the dive shop I purchased it from who is a tech 2 instructor said that's what I need but just wondering ur thoughts? I know that a lot of times people have too big of wings which causes an array of problems with trim and bouyancy. Do you think that's the correct wing setup?

Hi Imurtha1,

Some of the info you need to gather, if you have it:

1.) Type, thickness and size of your thickest exposure suit.
2.) Tank type and size (you said steel 130)
3.) Current amount of ballast weight you use with #1 and #2 above (assuming correct weighting!!) and current BC used.

With that info, someone knowledgable about setting up BP/W's can give you a recommendation for wing size and backplate material. The more info you can provide, the more accurate the estimate of wing lift requirements.


Tobin at Deep Sea Supply is the expert at this.

As already mentioned, a BC needs to be able to support you and your rig at the surface, your rig alone at the surface, and compensate for lost exposure suit buoyancy at depth.

Best wishes.

 

[cool_hardware52]

Another question regarding my bp/w setup. I'm using a halcyon bp/w single setup and I'm going to be using a 130 cu steel tank. I'm 6'7" 330 lbs and sink like a rock so I'm def neg. Bouyant. The question is should I use a 30lb wing or 40lb wing? I've made a phone calls to a few instructors but are awaiting their call. The owner of the dive shop I purchased it from who is a tech 2 instructor said that's what I need but just wondering ur thoughts? I know that a lot of times people have too big of wings which causes an array of problems with trim and bouyancy. Do you think that's the correct wing setup?

A couple quick points:

Your "personal buoyancy" will impact your total weighting, but it should not impact the required wing lift. BC or Buoyancy Compensators are sued to compensate for things that loose buoyancy as we descend, your body does not change.

What does change with depth? Your exposure suit. Wing sizing starts with knowing how buoyant your suit is. The most your suit can loose is what it starts with at the surface. Thicker suits = bigger wings.

This is also useful for determining your ballast requirements.

If you are a "sinker" and you add negative tank and Steel plate you may end up over weighted, depending on your suit. Remember a larger wing is not the solution to being over weighted.

Tobin

 

[Garrobo]

In nature it is: Little bird, little wing. Big bird, big wing. Probably the same for humans.

 

[elmer fudd]

If you do a lot of surface swimming, I would opt for the larger wing. An extra 10 lbs of lift makes it that much easier to keep your head above water on a 1/4 mile swim.

 

[kathydee]

If you are a "sinker" and you add negative tank and Steel plate you may end up over weighted, depending on your suit. Remember a larger wing is not the solution to being over weighted. Tobin

This guy is a rock sold athlete who will be diving a 3mm. He has a steel plate (which he can certainly swap out at this point). He picked up a 40lb wing based on his LDS recommendation, (which I am concerned might be too large for diving a single cylinder). But I'm out of my league giving advice to a guy this size.

I've cautioned against HP130 steel & 3mm so he's put the tank purchase on pause till after class. I would assume that cylinder selection will be covered by his OW instructor who he says is trained through GUE T1.

 

[elmer fudd]

He can always add buoyancy with the aid of Styrofoam, but someone who's 6'7"/330 is going to need a lot of air.