Open cell weight change?

[Rosco Mac]

Ive been using a surfing closed 5mm wetsuit and have it weighted to what im happy with. Ive just bought my first open cell cressi 5mm suit and have yet to try it. My question is am i likely to have to adjust my weights with the change in suit type?, or is the effect minimal?.

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[Mr. X]

There are so many variables involved - probably best to lighten your weight belt a bit just as a safety precaution, you don't want to be "nailed" to the sea bed Some folk have one lead weight that is held or clipped onto the weight belt, to allow for quick adjustment.

BTW Len Jones shows an interesting technique in his excellent spearfishing booklet, where he shows a spearo holding a weight which is tied-in part way down the diver's float-line. This allows the diver to have a heavy weight to start their dive but they can release it part way down when they no longer need it (as divers sink more readily at depth). This means that they also don't need to carry that extra weight back up to the surface, making ascents as well as descents easier; they can pull up their weight once back at the surface, breathing again. Sounds almost perfect doesn't it - but of course real life is more complicated than that, it's more gear, more complexity, more tangle hazard, more hassle. But perhaps worthwhile if you dive deep & stick with it?

 

[Pinniped72]

I can help you here.............. I have recently done the self same thing You may need more weight, I cant say how much for you but will tell you what I needed and need now, with a 5/4/3/ O'Neil I needed a 4kg weight belt and 1 Kg ankle weights to be neutral at about 5m. That included a 5mm diving hood and 6mm neoprene boots. With the Cressi 5mm open cell I needed to add 2Kg which I wear in a homemade backpack. That includes 5mm neoprene socks. Without a wetsuit I can dive and be neutral without any weights, its a great feeling but bloomin cold Get your surface buoyancy right, near the shore before you venture out, my first time with the cressi I overweighted by 1Kg and rather than take it all the way back to the car I hid it under some shingle and marked the spot. Also is your suit 5 all the way, a 5/4 or a 5/4/3, it will make a difference. For interest my 5mm closed cell Cressi over shorty which I sometimes use on the very odd hot summers day needs a 4Kg weight belt only. Good luck and enjoy your new suit