Will I Die With A 100lb Wing?

[vodolaz]

Vodolaz -

I don't know if you've ever tried to use your drysuit as a sole means of bouyancy, but most drysuits (especially well-fitted ones) don't have enough lift to do it, when faced with doubles and stage bottles. Try it out some time - empty your wings and see if your drysuit will keep you on the surface. From what i've seen when I and other people have done this, it may not. Even if it will, it's pretty tough to move in an overinflated drysuit (imagine being in the narrow confines of a wreck and having to inflate that much? good way to get your suit ripped.) I don't know what the official DIR line is on this, but most training agencies recommend either redundant bladders in your wings, or at the least a lift bag as a means of controlled bouyancy for ascent.

GUE emphatically does not recommend redundant bladders because of the possibility of runaway inflation, etc. Lift bags are carried in open water, but the emphasis is on diving a properly weighted rig in the first place. Please check out Cast55's excellent summary of proper weighting in this thread.

 

[J1M1]

That might work for double AL80s with no stages - maybe one of the Tech guys can confirm this - but if you're planning on double 130s or similar and stages, a 55lb wing seems to be the preferred choice.

As for the 100lb wing, my philosophy is "if you don't need it, don't take it".

55 to 60 pounds should sufice. it may not if you prefer steel for travel mix or a stage. J.D.

 

[vodolaz]

55 to 60 pounds should sufice. it may not if you prefer steel for travel mix or a stage.

I agree on the lift capacity.

With the exception of steel 02 bottles to be dropped almost immediately in caves, DIR advocates only aluminum stage/deco bottles because of the potential overweighting issue.

 

[J1M1]

I agree on the lift capacity.

With the exception of steel 02 bottles to be dropped almost immediately in caves, DIR advocates only aluminum stage/deco bottles because of the potential overweighting issue.

yes but i have seen some who drop the steel O2 bottle in caves and when they transfer to an ocean dive leave them on the harness. this may cause them to be extremely overweighted.

 

[vodolaz]

yes but i have seen some who drop the steel O2 bottle in caves and when they transfer to an ocean dive leave them on the harness. this may cause them to be extremely overweighted.

Adding this to one of your earlier posts, are you saying these guys are buying larger than 55lb wings to compensate for using the wrong stages? And they say they're DIR?

 

[J1M1]

no i am saying that if you are going to carry a steel O2 bottle throughout the dive than the lift from the 55# wing may be compromised. I agree that all sling tanks carried to the bottom and throughout the dive should be aluminum. I have just seen and heard of people being extremely overweighted when they go from say caving to wrecks where they may not drop their steel )2 bottle shallower. If a reg were to freeflow on the way to the botom on top of the wing not providing enough lift, this may lead to panic. I strongly DO reccomend that all sling bottles should be aluminum unless you are going to drop them. I do have a 72 steel O2 bottle but the dives i carry it on it is dropped. if you planned on carrying the steel O2 bottle throughout the dive than i would recommend more lift.

 

[Snowbear]

The duplicate threads have been merged - enjoy

 

[vodolaz]

The duplicate threads have been merged - enjoy

To clarify, this thread was originally in the DIR forum and my responses were only within that context.

 

[Snowbear]

To clarify, this thread was originally in the DIR forum and my responses were only within that context.

Actually, the thread in the BC forum had a start time ~ 1/2 hour before the one in the DIR forum (Original post for that thread is post #5 here), which is why I chose to merge them here. Obviously, DIR view answers are still welcome, I'm sure.

 

[vodolaz]

Actually, the thread in the BC forum had a start time ~ 1/2 hour before the one in the DIR forum (Original post for that thread is post #5 here), which is why I chose to merge them here. Obviously, DIR view answers are still welcome, I'm sure.

Oh, I wasn't criticizing your placement, but rather explaining to newcomers why the DIR focus was there. Some people here are sensitive about that sort of thing, if I recall correctly.