Drysuit weighting

[Mo2vation]

Dived the newly returned 450. Legs shortened 2", arms shortened 1", pockets added, crotch pad added, knee pads added, smaller footies for my princess feet added, and new, way fluffy DUI Polartec Power stretch undies, new Neo neck, HD wrists, etc, etc.

Dived it with 5 + 5 blocks on the belt. No camera last night. I was perfectly weighted, which is to say for me, a little light. I thought I might be with the fluffy new undies.

I may leave it like this and re-adjust my perception of what's properly weighted. After about 64 minutes in the water to 105 FSW I still came back with about 900 PSI. I can't imagine how floaty I'd feel with 200 PSI in the can.

---
Ken

[Gombessa]

5'10, 140lb. PST LP80s
AL plate, 4lb tail weight, can light, 8-10lb on waist.

[Benthic]

With a TLS350 and 400g or Xerotherm Arctic undies I need no weight in fresh water. In salt water I put on 6lbs.

I'm with Sparticle...I hate weight.

Brian

[LCF]

I hate it with a passion, but it is an unavoidable fact of diving life for those of us who are made of styrofoam and chill easily.

I say all the time, "This diving business would be so much fun if the gear weren't so danged HEAVY!"

[lobstah]

ocean:
twin PSTs + 200g thinsulate from Dive Concepts = SS BP + 4 lbs
twin PSTs + 400g thinsulate from DUI or Santi = SS BP + 12 lbs

single PST + 200g thinsulate from Dive Concepts = SS BP + 14 lbs

[Dash Riprock]

This thread scares me.

Due to Lobstah's generosity, Ill be be trying out Dry Suit diving before long and one of the things I never liked about this DS idea is the amount of weight needed.

Im a toothpick too. No body fat.

One question I have is, why is it that I take so little weight with my wetsuit? Even diving with a 7mm, with 5mm hooded vest, gloves, booties, and with a LP95, I only need 10-12 lbs to descend and be able to hold a safety stop at the end of the dive.

I think the lesson Im learning from this thread is; Wear the lightest insulation you can while maintaining a level of comfort one can accept.

[TobinGeorge]

Question

One question I have is, why is it that I take so little weight with my wetsuit? Even diving with a 7mm, with 5mm hooded vest, gloves, booties, and with a LP95, I only need 10-12 lbs to descend and be able to hold a safety stop at the end of the dive.

Answer

Im a toothpick too. No body fat.

Tobin

[LCF]

I think the lesson Im learning from this thread is; Wear the lightest insulation you can while maintaining a level of comfort one can accept.

I think the lesson from this thread is you need what you need. Wear the insulation that keeps you WARM, and just accept the weight penalty. Warmth not only adds to the enjoyment of the dive, it plays a role in increased protection from decompression symptoms -- being warm at the beginning of the dive, when you are ongassing, and cold at the end, when you are trying to offgas, is not a good prescription for getting rid of nitrogen. In addition, when you are cold, you think slowly and are clumsy (I believe being cold played a role in my recent accident). Better to be warm -- there are ways of managing the weight.

You CAN be more efficient about the insulation that you use, in terms of how floaty it is, but in the end, warmth floats, and there is nothing you can do about that.

[scubamountaingirl]

i love this thread

[Dash Riprock]

Question


Answer

So why doesnt that lack of required weight transfer to drysuit diving? Or am I missing something? If Fdog is a self-professed toothpick, why is he needing so much weight? Is it all about the undergarments?

[TobinGeorge]

So why doesnt that lack of required weight transfer to drysuit diving? Or am I missing something? If Fdog is a self-professed toothpick, why is he needing so much weight? Is it all about the undergarments?

Undergarments play a huge part.

My guess is Fdog *might* not be as dense as you.

When I was (much) younger, with a uh well, let's just say a different body composition, I could jump into a fresh water pool in my trunks, take a deep breath and walk around on the bottom.

It looks like you are now using about 16 lbs of total ballast with your 7mm suit and 5mm hooded vest. 12 lead +2 for your reg and 2 for your empty tank.

A 7mm suit on a person of normal stature is usually about 18-22 lb positive. Add a 5mm hooded vest and you might have a couple more lbs of floaty neoprene.

If you can dive ~20-24 lbs of neo with only 16 lbs of total ballast you must be negative in just your trunks, (or your numbers are a little wacky)

Tobin

[Dash Riprock]

If you can dive ~20-24 lbs of neo with only 16 lbs of total ballast you must be negative in just your trunks, (or your numbers are a little wacky)

Tobin

I dont float, I can tell you that (swim trunks only). I remember in my OW pool session, where you have to tread water for however many minutes it was, and I had to put quite alot of effort into it. Meanwhile my classmates, somewhat more, circumferencially endowed, shall we say, were head and shoulders, shall we say again, better than me at it.

Even in saltwater, if I lay on my back, most of me sinks. Next time someone calls me dense, Ill just take it as a compliment...

[LCF]

I don't have much body fat at all (more than I want, but not a lot) but I float like a cork -- which is part of the reason I always have to carry so much weight! A lot of it is in muscle mass and bone density, and I haven't got much of either.

[SparticleBrane]

When I was (much) younger, with a uh well, let's just say a different body composition, I could jump into a fresh water pool in my trunks, take a deep breath and walk around on the bottom.

Me in swimming trunks...

Full lungs = float.
Let most of the air out = sink

[huvr]

Fresh water 32F with layered undies, a DC NeoZ like Joel's I think. DR Transpac with AL80's doubled 20lbs in weight pockets, 4lb oxycheq doubles tank tube weight. I'm 5' 10' 180lbs. Total 24lbs.