DevonDiver
N/A
+1 Under... with the caveat that you need to refine and ingrain an effective skill-set for removing it quickly, when necessary.
Wearing it underneath provides additional insurance against the risk of accidental weight loss and resulting uncontrolled ascent (a more common issue), but complicates the quick-release of the belt should a buoyant emergency ascent (a less common issue) be required, or should you become incapacitated and unable to inflate your BCD effectively at the surface (another less common issue).
The weight belt can still be dumped from underneath the crotch strap, but requires additional manipulation in that you need to release the buckle and then pull it out sideways before releasing it. This shouldn't take more than a second or two longer than a 'normal' weight belt release - and is still probably quicker that trying to dump some of the integrated weight systems on the market (which have QR buckles and require two hands - one per side).
Formulating a 'balanced' rig (the distribution of ditchable and non-ditchable weight) can help to ensure that the amount of weight carried on your belt is not excessive, but remains sufficient to ensure that positive buoyancy can be attained. Proper weighting calculation, combined with an intelligent strategy towards cylinder and exposure protection choice, also ensures that you should never be too drastically negative - thus reducing the criticality of weight belt ditching in the first place.
As a last resort, the crotch strap and weight belt can be cut free. Carrying a cutting device such as the Eeezy, in a rapidly accessible position, makes this a 2 second task.
Wearing it underneath provides additional insurance against the risk of accidental weight loss and resulting uncontrolled ascent (a more common issue), but complicates the quick-release of the belt should a buoyant emergency ascent (a less common issue) be required, or should you become incapacitated and unable to inflate your BCD effectively at the surface (another less common issue).
The weight belt can still be dumped from underneath the crotch strap, but requires additional manipulation in that you need to release the buckle and then pull it out sideways before releasing it. This shouldn't take more than a second or two longer than a 'normal' weight belt release - and is still probably quicker that trying to dump some of the integrated weight systems on the market (which have QR buckles and require two hands - one per side).
Formulating a 'balanced' rig (the distribution of ditchable and non-ditchable weight) can help to ensure that the amount of weight carried on your belt is not excessive, but remains sufficient to ensure that positive buoyancy can be attained. Proper weighting calculation, combined with an intelligent strategy towards cylinder and exposure protection choice, also ensures that you should never be too drastically negative - thus reducing the criticality of weight belt ditching in the first place.
As a last resort, the crotch strap and weight belt can be cut free. Carrying a cutting device such as the Eeezy, in a rapidly accessible position, makes this a 2 second task.
