DaveJo127
Contributor
Ditto.
For jacket BCs, I don't see any advantages for using a weight belt if the BC has quick-release integrated pockets.
Weight belt vs. Integrated weights
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For jacket BCs, I don't see any advantages for using a weight belt if the BC has quick-release integrated pockets.
Scubagolf
Contributor
Integrated weights in back inflate BC, with about 1/3 of the weight in trim pockets on cam bands. Only warm water diving nowadays.
I use both. But, my 'integrated weight system' is actually a SS BP, and a HP100 steel cylinder. That puts the weight where I want it - 'higher' on my body and adjacent to my center of lift (lungs / thorax). And, the weight is fully 'integrated' into the BCD.
The problem with putting a lot of weight on a belt is that the weight is then positioned 'below' that center of lift and - for me - pulls my lower body down a bit, making it harder to maintain good horizontal trim. Unfortunately, the same is also true with a number of weight-integrated BCDs - the weight pocket placement is relatively low on the BCD and produces the same effect. In some cases, the weight placement is also in front of the diver's vertical midline (lateral), which adds to the sense of being pulled face forward at the surface when using a back-inflate BCD. Fortunately, a number of manufacturers have started putting trim pockets on their units, placed closer to the top of the BCD, which is great. I advocate putting as much of the total weight in the trim pockets as their physical size allows, which is often not much.
If I need to add weight, I use a belt (rubber or webbing), simply because it is easy to use. But, I don't put more than ~ 4 lbs on a belt, to avoid the trim problem noted above.
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neither!
I try to do whatever I can to ensure that I'm diving a balanced rig without any additional lead. Balancing which plate I choose, which tank I choose, and which exposure protection I choose it is almost impossible for me to have to wear lead and I will do whatever I can to avoid it. If I have to for whatever reason and the instances do come up on rare occasion, I prefer belts to integrated and the Mako freediving belt is the best one out there. Granted, I don't actually own one because I have required use of a belt once in the last 6 years due to certain skills that required one to perform so it isn't worth the investment for me. I do keep a piece of webbing with an extra buckle on it in my dive bin just in case though
I try to do whatever I can to ensure that I'm diving a balanced rig without any additional lead. Balancing which plate I choose, which tank I choose, and which exposure protection I choose it is almost impossible for me to have to wear lead and I will do whatever I can to avoid it. If I have to for whatever reason and the instances do come up on rare occasion, I prefer belts to integrated and the Mako freediving belt is the best one out there. Granted, I don't actually own one because I have required use of a belt once in the last 6 years due to certain skills that required one to perform so it isn't worth the investment for me. I do keep a piece of webbing with an extra buckle on it in my dive bin just in case though
18lbs!!! ...I'm astounded.
I'm similar to @tbone1004, I generally don't use any weight. If I need a couple of lbs then I use trim pockets whether I'm in a skin or in a drysuit
Dan
Contributor
It sounds like you guys are skinny, no fat, nothing but muscles & bones, no gas trapped in the belly & carrying heavy DSLR camera with some heavy duty video lights & flashes.
Body shape matters. When my grandson starts diving he will have to go integrated. He has no bottom. I am constantly pullling up his pants, swimsuits, etc.
It sounds like you guys are skinny, no fat, nothing but muscles & bones, no gas trapped in the belly & carrying heavy DSLR camera with some heavy duty video lights & flashes.
Ha ha .... Skinny with no fat, my wife will laugh lots at that. I guess I'm about 200lbs (95kg) and no DSLR cameras. I dive a tranpac harness with no plate and voyager wing
Over in Indonesia I had 2 AL 80's (one slung). A 3mm suit and sharkskin one piece under suit that required 4lbs
Ignoring body size, and exposure protection I'm convinced people get "addicted" to weight and believe they need it ( much like you can talk yourself into poor air consumption) an could if they dive frequently easily dive with less
Dan
Contributor
Well, that's why you need to do check dive in the beginning. If you deflate all the air out of your BCD & exhale (deflate your lung) & you are still floating on the surface like a cork, then you definitely need to add enough weight to slowly sink to the bottom (not fast like a rock). That would be enough to be neutrally buoyant when the tank is empty.
People don't though,
They guess and then add extra to be "safe" and don't work at it. I've heard so many stories from dive guides where their guests are clearly overweighted yet these people won't listen and almost panic if someone should take 1lb off their belt
They guess and then add extra to be "safe" and don't work at it. I've heard so many stories from dive guides where their guests are clearly overweighted yet these people won't listen and almost panic if someone should take 1lb off their belt
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