If you are already wearing a substantial amount of weight in warm saltwater, why not get a steel plate? That will allow you to drop roughly 6 lbs from your weight belt. An aluminum will only take about 2 off your belt.
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I am a new diver with limited experience and have only used a jacket style BCD’s to date. I am ready to purchase my first BCD and have decided I want a Wing and Aluminum Backplate style for both home (Canada) and travelling (tropics).
To date, I have dived with a jacket BCD in the tropics (salt water) with a 3mil wetsuit and added 14lbs of weight. In Canada (fresh water) with a 7mil wetsuit, I added 20lbs of weight.
My question is when switching to an aluminum backplate and wing style BCD (35lbs lift wing), would the amount of weight I add be less, and if yes by how much on average? Essentially, I just want a ballpark idea to know where I should start and then make weight adjustments from there.
I am certainly no fan of such calculators as I find number of people being improperly weighted. Unfortunately, most instructors don't teach their students how to properly weight themselves. I don't know if this is due to lack of knowledge or concern (as when you get $50/student on the condition they are certified, you are not motivated by anything but your principles to do a proper job).This is a really great method, but if all you’ve got handy is the local indoor pool, try the buoyancy calculator.
Optimal Buoyancy Computer
The latest version has one going into the pool with mask and snorkel and a mesh bag with either weights or empty water bottles to determine personal buoyancy. It’s quite interesting to onlookers, but very useful if there are swings in winter weight vs summer weight while keeping equipment constant.
My question is when switching to an aluminum backplate and wing style BCD (35lbs lift wing), would the amount of weight I add be less, and if yes by how much on average? Essentially, I just want a ballpark idea to know where I should start and then make weight adjustments from there.
I dropped 8 pounds going from an XL jacket to a steel backplate.