No weights with steel tank unsafe?

[DelrayDM]

I am glad someone started this subject (thread). I am negative in fresh water and need no weights when using an 80' tank. The only time I am in fresh water is in the pool.

#1 thing I have learned from this forum thread is " if you lose your fin(s) you still need to be able to get to the surface "

A lot of good ideas here... now I feel comfortable with my 100' aluminum tanks (56.5 pounds when full) because in salt water I do use dumpable weights. If I ever go in fresh water I will try to remember this forum thread.

Has anyone measured or have data on the buoyancy provided by various 'booties' ? I really need some buoyancy for my legs.

 

[MSilvia]

Has anyone measured or have data on the buoyancy provided by various 'booties' ? I really need some buoyancy for my legs.

If your legs seem negatively buoyant, I recommend addressing the problem by moving weight toward your head, rather than by trying to add buoyancy to your feet. The problem with trying to correct the problem with booties is that neoprene compresses and loses buoyancy at depth, so if (for example) you find a pair that give you great trim at 30', they probably won't help much at 60'.

 

[Chad Carney]

heavyjeffd,

Besides + or - buoyancy a tank's weight and length can also have a large effect on a diver in and out of the water. Carrying big tanks around from shops to boats can be more trouble than fun, and long tanks don't let you sit back and rest when wearing your system aboard either.

How big of a guy are you?

If you are tall (around 6' +) and very strong the big tanks might be ok for you, but most average sized divers would much prefer tanks about 80 to 100 cu ft, and in the low to middle 30 lbs range (empty weight). And if you're not overly large you probably don't need the capacity beyond 100 cu ft either.

I'm stronger than most and I hate toting big fat tanks around.

Try before you buy is a very wise way to go!

Chad

 

[heavyjeffd]

I'm a recreational bodybuilder/powerlifter, carrying a few extra lbs won't bother me much I don't think.

I'm 6', 245lbs, somewhere around 15% BMI (which is why I sink so bad I've been told).

I am definitely going to try and rent a steel tank before buying any tanks whatsoever, just need to find someplace around me that rents them.

 

[BHB ScubaTroll]

Remember that there is more to the issue that just being able to swim up to the surface - you need to be able to stay at the surface. For example, you come up some distance from the boat and have to wait for a pickup, or the boat leaves you behind, etc etc.

You must have a method of staying positively buoyant at the surface indefinitely. A lift bag or SMB can work, but you might want to try riding on the surface for 30 minutes in 3-footers while holding on to a SMB to see if this is a method you want to count on in an emergency.

I suppose you could just ditch your gear and use the wetsuit for flotation, but that would be really expensive.

If this is the case, I am doffing my gear at the surface and attaching it to the SMB... giving me the ability to save the gear and survive the dive.

 

[BHB ScubaTroll]

I had considered doubles, but it was mostly just a money thing, unfortunately.

What SMB's are you guys carrying for additional backup buoyancy?

Think Macgiver (sp?). You deal with the situation and make what you need from what you have. I carry a 100 lbs. lift bag...

 

[BHB ScubaTroll]

I agree with you about dumpable weights, however I cannot dump a limb, if you know what I mean.

As it is I can dive with no weights in a 3mm (though I sometimes use 2 or 4 lbs).

My Ranger BC has a 44# wing, so I'm hoping that the additional ~12lbs negative I am to start with a full steel 130 can be compensated for with my BC and the ~3-4ish lbs negative I'd be at the end of the dive would hopefully be easily handled by my BC as well.

I don't really see my Ranger failing any time soon, but things happen so I'd just like to be prepared.

So the scenario is really, if my BC were to fail, I'm negative even with an aluminum tank, should I not use steel because I'd be even more negative?

I can use AL80's forever, but I'd really like the extra capacity of the steel 130's, I don't need it for the buoyancy characteristics at all. I guess I could always go with two AL80's.... hrmmm. :thinking:

Yes, I understand about dumping a limb.

I sink like a rock with no weights and a S100. I carry a 100 lbs. lift bag tucked between my bp and wing, and a spool. If I don't have a BC failure, I can sure make a balloon out of a decent anchor and float it for the rest of the dive while holding onto the line that was cut from the boat it was attached to... :cool2:

 

[BHB ScubaTroll]

Personally I would not dive with no ditchable weight. Why remove one lifesaving bailout for yourself.

If you are negatively buoyant without any "ditchable weight" how is this a "lifesaving bailout for yourself"?

 

[heavyjeffd]

Think Macgiver (sp?). You deal with the situation and make what you need from what you have. I carry a 100 lbs. lift bag...

Hrm. That's an idea. Question though:

What's the scenario where you would not be able to surface yourself but you'd have air to inflate a 100lb lift bag? Just a wing bladder failure?

I'm not nit-picking at all here, just honestly asking for scenarios. You guys are educating me and I totally appreciate it.

 

[BHB ScubaTroll]

Hrm. That's an idea. Question though:

What's the scenario where you would not be able to surface yourself but you'd have air to inflate a 100lb lift bag? Just a wing bladder failure?

I'm not nit-picking at all here, just honestly asking for scenarios. You guys are educating me and I totally appreciate it.

I'm sorry, your original scenario was a BC failure... not an OOA ascent situation. With so many posting to this thread concerning a BC failure, I would suggest you start a new thread concerning OOA issues for a negatively buoyant diver. That is a thread I will avoid.... because, I'm not a moron...