Thermoprene 5mm wetsuit buoyancy?

[Roggen]

Does anyone know approximately how much weight it takes to sink a women's Henderson Thermoprene 5mm wetsuit (that is, how buoyant the suit is) in fresh water?

I don't readily have access to a pool or open lake to try it out, and would like to get a general idea before I head to Florida next month.

Thanks!

[texdiveguy]

FYI............

[Roggen]

Thanks, that is very helpful. I had seen that in another post and will use it as a general guideline (actually printed it out for future use).

I am still hoping someone who uses the women's 5mm Thermoprene might have a more specific #.

[BuzzF117]

Originally Posted by Roggen

Thanks, that is very helpful. I had seen that in another post and will use it as a general guideline (actually printed it out for future use).

I am still hoping someone who uses the women's 5mm Thermoprene might have a more specific #.

FYI a person with the same weight as you may carry more or less weight then you depending on body mass. Remember muscle is more dense then fat so it sinks. Ladies tend to be more bouyant then men of same weight so be prepared to add or subtract a little weight from you initial calculations.

nuf said
Buzz

[Damselfish]

yes, but if you know what you need with no wetsuit for instance, then knowing the specific number for a given wetsuit is helpful.

[ReefHound]

Note the guidelines tex gave were for total weighting requirements. I think they sound rather high, too. I'm 200# and NOT a bundle of muscle but I use 10# with my 5mm full suit with 2mm vested hood and 2mm gloves.

Why not just fill up a big bucket of water, fold the suit up and see how much weight to keep it from floating up? Not exactly precise but probably closer than general guidelines. If you could measure the water displacement you could calculate it exactly.

[Roggen]

I am not looking to see what someone else uses for weight when wearing it, I am looking for the buoyancy of the suit itself.

If anyone has already done this and would like to share that would be great. If not, then I will try other options like finding a big bucket to sink it in.

[ReefHound]

You would think the manufacturer would list this in the specs. The buoyancy will decrease with depth as the suit compresses and with time as the cells get crushed, but you would think they could say "new, at 10 ffw, +8#" or something.

[Roggen]

I was thinking the same thing. Is there a compilation anywhere on the inherent buoyancy of wetsuits?

I may try calling the manufacturer and see, though I am not hopeful that they will be able to provide any information.

[WAHMof2]

I think it would be great if the had surface buoyancy ratings on new suits, because all neoprene isn't created equal. As far as crush goes, the buoyancy at depth really wouldn't matter would it?