Crush
Contributor
I don't want to go too far off topic, but is it common practice to dive with non ditch able weight?
When I was trained (recently) I was told to always have ditchable weight. I am not an expert, but I have read many posts on SB where members of the BP/w community seem to accept the notion of non-ditchable weight so long as you have sufficient redundant lift. This would mean a drysuit which is able to float you in the event of a catastrophic wing failure. Wetsuit diving (i.e., no redundant lift) would cause most to recommend ditchable weight. I learned recently of weight belt threading with a BP/w from Tortuga68 at http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bu.../348910-another-bp-w-thread-weight-belts.html (post #3). I recently moved the ditchable rear trim weight pockets from my Zeagle Scout to my (new) BP/w - I hope to dive the BP for the first time this weekend.
I dive cold water. I found that 24# lift was just skating the edge with my 7mm two-piece wetsuit with gloves and hood on deeper dives. A 32# lift bladder should do you fine in any water with a single tank.