Need answer quick

[sndt1319]

I will be diving in a 7mm Farmer John wetsuit, in cold salt water, using AL tanks. When I have the money to get steel tanks or a drysuit I will definately be able to get an Al plate if I need to. But for now I would like a Steel plate so I can take some weight off my belt. I have been using 32# of lead with a jacket BC and the walk up the beach leaves me with bruises.

 

[LUBOLD8431]

I recommend the 45# Oxycheq wing. I have one, been using it alot recently, and it works great for me, and I believe for your situation it would work great also.

 

[Scuba_Vixen]

I recommend the 45# Oxycheq wing. I have one, been using it alot recently, and it works great for me, and I believe for your situation it would work great also.

Listen to the moose here, lol ... He's got a buttload more cold water diving experience than I do.

But since I'm reasonably familliar with cold water gear setups, ....

Given your height and other considerations (thick wetsuit, aluminum tank, a lot of required weight), I'd opt for a FredT extra long and heavy SST plate. A heavy STA would probably be helpfull for you as well. You'll want to keep some weight on the belt for trimming, but Fred's XL heavy plates are about 10# and a heavy STA would be about 6# more. That would leave you a managable 16# on the belt. Some divers also loose a couple pounds of required weight when they switch to a bp/wing from a jacket bc.

You really don't want to have to buy the same gear twice, so do a lot of homework first and write the checks only once.

Darlene

BTW, Here's the thread on backplates that fit:

http://thedecostop.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5867

 

[sndt1319]

Just to let you all know I ended up getting a new 40# Eclipse wing on a used Abysmal harness and plate. The harness, plate, STA, and a "stealth" pack cost only $52 used. I really didn't have a comfort problem with the plate. I might have it adjusted a little to long in the arms as my tank hit me in the head once when I was head down. But I enjoyed not having my BCD squeeze me and reducing the weight on my belt. The biggest problem I had was how short the inflator hose was. I couldn't operate the deflate button with my left hand. I had to reach over with my right hand to do it. I don't know if it is just from wearing too thick of a glove or what my problem is. I also couldn't find the dump valve string which could also be from gloves that are too thick. I was going to ask the dealer to put a longer inflator hose on when he fixes the SS inflator for the recall, but he didn't seem to think it was a very good idea. Over all I am really happy with price and quality of my purchase. The only down side to the weekend is that I am an Air Hog. My dive buddy (who has 6 more dives than me) used about 700psi less than me on a given dive. I am in good shape and run three times a week but I start breathing fast really easily. When people think I am getting ready to pass out I am breathing "normally" for me. I don't have asthma, ie no attacks ever and no inhaler for anything. I guess I will have to try and search the board for some tips on that. I felt bad ending the dive when he had so much air left.

Brian