Yet another BP/Wing Thread

[Bowzer]

After many years away from diving, I started again last year. Looking at my SAC (not to mention the photos with the beached walrus skin folds) I decided a little dieting and training were in order... The downside, my Zeagle BC doesn't fit anymore (not one of the adjustable models). So I am considering the BP/Wing route. My local LDS carries Zeagle, OMS, and possibly Oxycheck. I will be doing single tank diving, lp 95 and 85 tanks. I am in northern NY and will often be using 7mm wetsuits. I would like to dive with a minimum amount of Pb. From all the research I have done, my guess is that a 30-45 lb. bladder, and either an Al plate with a single tank adapter, or an SS plate is the way to go. Doubles are not in my immediate future. Can anyone comment on this arrangement? I am a little unclear about required lift size. Years ago I dove with a horse collar with 5 to 10 lbs. of lift, but equipment and practices have changed and most small BCs have more than 30 lbs. of lift. Is a 30lb wing a little small given my size, 6'3"" 190 lbs. and gear?
Any comments on the above appreciated.

 

[dbg40]

I am 5'10'' and weigh 205 lbs. I dive a Halcyon BPW with a stainless plate, and use the 30 lb. wing, Plenty of lift, and I can't imagine you needing any more than this.
When diving wet, I wear a 7mm suit and gloves, 5mm boots and hood. In SW, I wear 8 lbs of lead, in FW, I use 4 lbs. When Dry, in a CLX 450 and 300 polartec undies, I use 20 lbs of lead. This is using steel 100's

 

[cool_hardware52]

I am a little unclear about required lift size. Years ago I dove with a horse collar with 5 to 10 lbs. of lift, but equipment and practices have changed and most small BCs have more than 30 lbs. of lift. Is a 30lb wing a little small given my size, 6'3"" 190 lbs. and gear?
Any comments on the above appreciated.

Bowser,

The lift required is a function of your exposure suit. Any BC needs to do two things; float your rig at the surface, and compensate for the loss of buoyancy of your exposure suit.

Even with a steel tank and a SS backplate, your rig is unlikely to be more than 30 lbs negative.

That leaves your wetsuit. Roll it up throw it in the pool and add lead 'till it just sinks. This amount of weight represents the max your suit can loose as you descend. I'll take an educated guess that a suit for a guy your size in 7mm will take about 20-24 lbs to sink. It varies a bit because not all neoprene is created equal, but I'm probably pretty close.

In short a 30 lbs wing should be fine. We sell more 30 lbs wings than any other size.


Regards,


Tobin

 

[UTdiver]

Personally, if I were diving in those conditions with a 7mm suit I would go with the s/s backplate. Alone it will weigh about 6 lbs. So that means you have less weight that you need to wear around your waist. Also it gets some weight up a little higher abouve your lungs and should help with your trim. I have even talked to some divers who use two s/s backplates and just stack them on top of each other in order to avoid wearing a weight belt. But whatever you are comfortable with. Happy diving.

 

[Bowzer]

Thanks all for the info. Now to get a bungied 30 lb bladder..... ;-)

 

[HybridDiver]

Hey bowzer i say dont go with a bungied I would say go with Golem gear jakub is really good and always answers all questions fast even how dumb it is. He is getting more service from me he is great just orderd a Golem Gear Single 35lbs rig just got in i have not even opend it up yet but fast service lots of good views i will give my views this weekend when i dive.
Cheers chris

 

[jim T.]

I recommend Jakub also. I bought an Oxycheq Signature 45 and DSS medium plate from him. He also answered all of my beginner's questions and shipped very quickly. Check out the DSS large sized backplate for someone your heighth. Jakub also sells the DSS bolt on weight plates for the backplate if you're interested in those.

I haven't dove my rig yet either, but real soon! Just waiting for my left ear to clear up :-(