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The Key to Bouyancy

Thread Status: Hello , There was no answer in this thread for more than 60 days.
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K

kanakafari

New Member
Jun 19, 2007
102
9
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I recently acquired a 5mm suit from Mr. Spiros over at Diveskin, and was wondering what would be the ideal weight configuration in order to eliminate the SUPER BOUYANT factor that I am experiencing. I am tipping the scales at slightly over 220 lbs. and typically utilized 10 lbs. with a 3mm, but since adding 2 more millimeters onto my skin, just can't seem to figure the best weight to use. Any suggestions on how to tackle what seems to be a very simple task, but has proven not to be the case? Are ankle weights necessary, although I would rather not use them?

Here is my dilemma:

5mm with 10 lbs weight:
1. unable to descend comfortably
2. exerting way too much energy to even stay down
3. unable to keep feet from ascending on their own
4. surface kicks ineffective

5mm with 12 lbs. weight:
1. slightly more comfortable, but still unable to descend effectively
2. still exerting way too much energy to stay down
3. unable to keep feet from ascending on their own
4. surface kick still ineffective

5mm with 15lbs. weight:
1. a lot heavier than expected, able to descend a bit more but not with ideal efficiency
2. still exerting way too much energy to stay down
3. feet still ascending on their own
4. surface kicks are much more effective now but lateral speed is definitely compromised.

I am considering using the 10% body weight rule i.e. 220 lbs body weight = 22 lbs. lead weight, but cringe at the thought of tacking on 22 lbs. to my waist.

All realistic suggestions are greatly considered, and appreciated.

Mahalos,
Kanaks - "Da Flyin' Hawaiian"
 
You're just going to have to strap on the weight. With my diveskin 5mm I used to use 26-22lbs depending how deep I was intending to go.

If you want to spread the weight around have a look at a vest/gillet/backplate type thing, but its not vital, you'll get used to the weight and in the water you won't really notice it.
 
There is no 'rule' to follow as people's lung volumes, body composition and wetsuit thickness/density vary quite a bit. Decide where you want to be neutral and wear as much weight as it takes
 
I weight 220 and use a 5 mil in fresh water I use 18 to 24 lbs but I ussually dont go deep so I need the extra weight.
 
My 3mm suits are about 7# buoyant. Yours is bigger so call it 9. 5/3x9=15 sounds close so you had the right idea but you can't argue with the above advice (whatever it takes).
Two suggestions; try diving with less than full lungs (works great in the shallows and only reduces dive time slightly) or use leg weights. Ankle weight is very effective, not much required but the thigh weights feel better.
 
Thanks all,

I appreciate all the responses. I have tried the vest from Sporasub and that thing just did not fit!!! It fit like a 2 year old's cropped T-shirt. Shootz...I'm a grown ass man!!!

I certainly am not comfortable with the thought of weights around my ankles, and feel that I may have to keep adding weight gradually until I reach my optimal performance level. As stoked as I was to have Spiros make my suit, I was not prepared to bulk up with more than 2x as much weight...funny how science works that way?

Guess I will have to trod on to find what I seek. Any other suggestions?

Mahalo Nui Loa - A Hui Hou,
Kanaks
 
I used to wear a 2kilo neck weight until I made my own weight vest from a BCD backpack and some lead shot. If you got a hold of an old XL BCD for cheap, it would fit just fine. Not the most hydrodynamic thing, but it worked great until I got an OMER neoprene that works better.
Neck weight was made from ankle weights that I adapted to fit around my neck. Others have made them from tire tubes with lead shot inside.
 
Nice "O" face Erik!!!

Would you happen to have any pics? I get the jist of what you are talking about, but with a visual, perhaps I can work around the general idea. I am considering all options at this time.

Mahalo,
"Da Flyin' Hawai'ian"
 
I've worn both 3ml and 5ml suits and I'm guessing you'll need at least 20lb. Walking to the water with 20 or 25lb it feels really heavy but go with it and when you've tried it a time or two you'll get used to it. It won't seem to slow you down too much then.
Relax with it and it won't bother you any more.
 
kanakafari said:
Nice "O" face Erik!!!

Would you happen to have any pics? I get the jist of what you are talking about, but with a visual, perhaps I can work around the general idea. I am considering all options at this time.

Mahalo,
"Da Flyin' Hawai'ian"
Click to expand...


LOL, I love that movie!
I don't have a pic of mine, but it looked something like the attached pic here. The exception being that I used the plasctic/hollow backpack that is attached to the harness that normally holds a buoyancy control device. I got the plastic backplate from a dive shop- ask for any old beater BCD's from rentals that they can't sell and offer them 20$! I followed a diagram from a techdiver site to use 1 long piece of webbing to make the harness.
The hollow plastic 'backplate' has airholes that you can use to get the lead shot in, then I poured glue in so the shot would not move around and scare fish.
It worked really well, and I had extra 1kilo weights on caribiners that I could take off my gun float and snap onto the harness when I was hunting shallow and needed more weight.

An alternative would be to buy a backplate assembly from a supplier like Halcyon, then add weight on the harness.
 

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  • backplate-steel_harness.jpg
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Hey, I don't mind 20 lbs., but it's the hike to our shoredive sites that are gonna kill me. WOW....my back hurts already.

Damn Erik!!! That steelplate harness looks like a monster. It does give me a great idea though. I think a quick trip to Home Depot, or Lowes and I should be good. Hell, all my stringers derived form the Home Depot!!! Thanks for the inspiration. I'll try to put up a play by play together for others in my dilemma. I'll try to develop a prototype this weekend since I will have plenty of time to think the my in-laws house.

Sayanora,
Kanakafari
 
Cool! The hardcore techdivers like to make their own stuff and that was my inspiration. Home Depot is a great dive shop hahaha!
 
Right you are......good ol' Home Depot.

I think I've made enough Home Depot stringers to supply the entire Chinese Army.

PM me your address and I'll send a sample.

- Kanaks
 
Reactions: Erik
Kanak,

Quit being lazy, If I have to I will carry your weights for you.!!! But dont tell patty or bonnie they might get jealous!! haha
later brother see you monday

Shmole
 
Hey Kanaks, I am 6'3 250lbs and I also wear a 5mm Diveskin suit. Reading what weights some of you wear confused me a bit since I only wear 11lbs of lead and I am neutral at 33 feet (10m). I haven't measured my lung volume but I would expect it to be above average.
I have to admit that on the first couple of feet the buoyancy is a bit disturbing but I am not sure if I would feel comfortable with a whole lot more lead.

What depth do you want to be neutral at? What depths were you neutral with 10, 12 and 15lbs?

Cheers
Gunnar
 
Start with questioning yourself - how deep would you like to go?
It's nonsense to start freefall too early and then strive whole way up to bring all the weight back to surface. Dangerous nonsense.
 
good point, you dont want to overweight yourself and not be bouyant at 8-10 feet where most SWB occurs.
 
sheepeck said:
Start with questioning yourself - how deep would you like to go?
It's nonsense to start freefall too early and then strive whole way up to bring all the weight back to surface. Dangerous nonsense.
Click to expand...

That's the main question I believe. There are lakes I dive in that going deeper than 7 metres is a waste of time, so in that case, 20lbs is not unreasonable, as the fish are shallow and I'd like to be able to swim relaxed or lie on the bottom. You wont do that if you're weighted for 20 metre hunting.
Kanak, also consider the fact that the suit is new, and new to you. New suits have fresh bubbles in the rubber- old suits lose their buoyancy over time. Consider also your diving style- are you relaxed and patient? How efficient is your duckdive? Do you wait for your fins to be submerged before you begin kicking? Etc etc.
At times I have felt frustrated and underweighted, then watched a friend with 30 years spearing experience sink slowly and purposefully, weighted lighter than me, slowly make his way to neutral depth. This always reminded me to take my time and wait for the bottom to come.
Cheers,
Erik
 
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