I guess what I am trying to find out.... is how many of you dive with VERY little or NO ditchable weight. As in without a weight belt.
I am trying to see if it would be generally ok for me to dive with no weight belt..... (start my dive at 4-10lbs. negative), with a steel tank.... and end my dive at approx. 2-6lbs negative (with tank at approx 500 lbs.). Is that too negative to dive with no ditchable weight? Can most divers safely swim up 2-6lbs. ("uninjured"-good fit diver)?
Or better to go with an AL tank (make equipment modifications), and have some ditchable weight.
I currently have an AL BP, S/S STA, 7mm suit, Steel HP120 tank,
and I am down to very little ditchable weight. If I go with a S/S BP, I will be negative for certain throughout the dive with "0" ditchable weight (on a weightbelt). I would then consider using an AL 80 tank instead, if need be. But looking to see if diving negative throughout the dive without any weight belt (ditchable weight), is ok, common, or otherwise considered somewhat safe as long as you can SWIM IT UP.
Thanks again for your input.