Oxygen tanks - are they tough on your back?

Question
Hey there!
I'm 4'11 and weight 92lbs. I've been told that diving may be difficult for me because of the weight of the oxygen tank on my back. Note - I had a compression fracture in my spine 3 years ago from a freak incident in a car. While I'm 100% recovered and functional, I'm wondering if I should be worried?
Thanks so much
D

Answer
Hi Dalreen, you are wise to check on these things before you look into scuba training.  

The first person to chat with is your doctor or orthopedist.  You will be required to have a doctor sign off on a SCUBA medical form before you start training.  He will help you consider the risks they may apply to you.  

For your size frame, the typical aluminum 80 cu ft air tank is probably going to be too long for your torso.  A high pressure steel 65 cu ft is only 16.75 inches compared to the 26 of the aluminum tank.  The empty weight of the steel 65 is only 24 pounds compared to 31 on the aluminum.  You would need to add around 20 more pounds for the buoyancy vest, the regulators (that you breath from), and the air in the filled tank.  You will also have a weight belt with weights also which could be another 4 to 12 pounds around your waist.

Something to consider is that we only carry the weight of the gear while we are out of the water (such as moving from a bench to the edge of a boat or the shore).  Once we are in the water, we are for intents weightless.

It is a very good idea to get a medical form from a local dive shop and then go see your doctor.  Let him know about the weight you may carry and get an informed decision.  Best of luck...I hope it works out, Jesse