Wing Lift Required for SS BP and STA

[Vercingetorix]

I've just rigged a Hog harness on a HammerHead SS BP and STA. I'm looking at wings (OxyCheq Mach V #30 lift, Golem Gear #35 lift). The BP and STA weight 10.5 pounds.

Given the scenario where I'm 100 fsw, 7mm neoprene wetsuit compressed due to depth, 175 pound diver with medium build (me), full AL80 single tank.

Is a 30-pound lift sufficient to get me off the bottom? Do I need a 35 pound lift? Or, am I concerned about nothing; that is, I'll still have to add weight to keep me down? I'v been diving Zeagle Brigade BC in fresh water and required 10 to 12 pound of lead to achieve neutral bouyancy.

Thoughts?

 

[ams511]

The BP and STA will negate the 12lbs you have on the belt. It may be a good idea to switch to the HH 2 pc STA so you have some ditchable weight.

Given the weight suit compression, I would think you would be ok with a 30lb lift. The Mach V also comes in a 40lb.
version. I have used a Eclipse 30 in cold water with more weight and did not have a problem.

Ideally you would want to borrow a wing first to test it out. See if you could swim up an empty wing from 100ft.

 

[Captain CaveMan]

when I first started with a bp/w i had DR venture wing with 27lb lift.
with 2pice 7mm and al80 i need 25lbs to sink. but at 70ft the 7mm crush and lots it boyance so I was 25lbs heavy at 70ft I had to inflate my wing almost full to keep trim. so I sold it and went to a Halcyon 40lb wing

 

[Splitlip]

Another thought. The Zeagle probably has a couple #'s of inherent buoyancy the BPW won't have. (that means less lead still)

 

[Vercingetorix]

Based on ams511 and caveman's experience, I think the 40# Mach V may be the way to go. That 10.5 pounds of steel on my back feels mighty heavy. And yes, given that the Zeagle BC has inherent bouyancy, that should mean less weight. I'm just concerned that the BP and STA may be too much weight. Caveman's experience at 70 feet demonstrates my concerns may be valid. I may add the HH aluminum BP to my arsenal ($45) and extra harness ($35) for those times when I want to go a bit lighter, such as warm water with 3mm suit.

 

[kidsdream]

I use SS BP (Dive Rite or Hammerhead) and STA (OMS or Hammerhead) with either a Dive Rite Venture or Oxycheq 30 Mach V all the time. These are my two basic Warm Water rigs. I do use a Alu BP for traveling (I just picked up a DSS Kydex plate to check out).

Even when I dive with a Steel 95 and a skin I have no issues (although with the Steel tanks I don't have any ditchable weight).

 

[captndale]

You should be neutral at the surface with your tanks empty. At that point you need 10 to 12 buoyancy in your wings to support you in case of an emergency. To that you need to add enough to support the weight of gas in your full tanks and the compression of your suit. Add it all up and that is what you need for buoyancy.

 

[rawls]

Thirty lbs of lift with an al 80 with a 7mm at your weight will have no problem lifting you at all. I use a 45 lb OMS bungee. I have absolutely no problem with it handling double steel 80's or a single steel 100. I'm about 200 lbs and use no weight in a 7mm suit with either the dbl 80s or the single 100. I used an al 100 recently and was a tad buoyant closer to the surface, so I could have used about 6 extra lbs., but once I was at depth I was fine.

 

[jdelprete]

Hello all. I have a zeagle ranger and will be moving to a backplate system. From what I have heard in here 45-55 pounds of lift for doubles should suffice. In looking at a BP system from Zeagle, I just love their equipment I am curious if anyone has used the 55lb manta wing at all? I don't think I need a little Bertha BC. Advice?

Jim

 

[prthd9]

Something to consider is not just the weight of the BP and any additional weights you use to descend, but also any other gear you might carry. Items such as regs, reels, lights, etc. will add additional weight, so you want to account for those items.