<sigh>  My last dive of 2007, at Dutch Springs yesterday. Dive #96 total.
 
Uneventful, except for the fact that it was a "new equipment" checkout dive
in my brand spanking new 10lb backplate and wing setup, courtesy of
Scott K, with Al Wells doing the setup/configuration.  Thank you Scott & Al!!!
Scott, I'll e-mail you in re: options for the STA.

The plate, by itself (i.e. with  harness only; no wing or tank) didn't feel
all that heavy to carry on my back. With the remaining setup (single tank
wing, weighted STA and the Steel 120), I couldn't feel any appreciable
difference in weight or back strain, except that it seemed a bit awkward
(i.e. felt like it would fall of my shoulders  more easily). "Normal," I was
assured.

With the weight of the plate and the weighted STA, all I had was a 2lb
weight in each of the dump pouches (we added these to the harness)
just to be sure I could sink (this was with my drysuit). At first, I could
not descend. I pulled the dump valve on the wing (the Oxycheq Sig. Series
40lb single wing) but it wasn't enough to remove all the air. Al reminded
me that I had to use the deflator, oriented to the highest position above
me in order for the air to escape.  That deflator is a little harder to push
than the one on my other BC (an Oceanic Air XS II) so I'll have to get some
practice with that.

The good news is that Al told me my trim was vastly improved with this
setup. I wish I could have recognized that myself, but I suppose that will come
with more practice. Also, I have more weight checking to do with other set ups
3mm & 7mm wet salt vs. fresh, etc. etc.  I tend to believe that I'll have a better
sense of my trim/orientation when diving wet than dry because I' still fighting
my drysuit a bit.

Nonetheless, it really felt a lot easier to work with. I didn't feel like I was "caged"
inside that "straight jacket."  And that's a great thing!  I think once I get the weighting
down in different environments/suits, I don't think I will go back to the jacket. Ah, now
to practice my lines for when the TSA screams "WTF IS THIS THING????"

Looking forward to Mid  January in the FFK's and the springs.  I'll post more on that
as time draws nearer.

____________________________________________
Regards,

Arnold