Weights!!!!!!! Belt or bcd

[lingfish]

Hi

I've just bought a weight integrated bcd.

Would this mean that the weight belt would now be obsolete or would u still used a weight belt and split the weights between ur BCD and belt??

I'd like to hear some opinion on this.

Cheers

[Uncle Pug]

I prefer to split the weight and balance the rig.

Should you need to remove your BC underwater for any reason which way would you go and which way would your BC go if all the weight was integrated?

Plus - should you ever need to ditch weight you don't have to dump the whole load at once if it is divided.

[chuckrt]

I agree with UP and split mine between the two.

chuckrt

[sumguy]

I load all my weight in my BC; I have rear trim pockets, so it's easy to balance. I can ditch the rear pockets individually, so I can drop a little or a lot of weight. I just personally dislike weight belts.

[caverkevin]

I gave mine away years ago. :)

[Uncle Pug]

Originally posted by caverkevin
I gave mine away years ago. :)
They're talking singles Kevin...

[SunshineFish]

I bought a weight-integrated BC to take the weight off my hip bones b/c even after a day or two of diving, I would get all bruised up around hip bone area. I don't need a lot of weight so all of it goes in my BC pockets.

[martinjc]

I carry half in my BC pockets and half in my weight belt. I'm still mulling over purchasing a couple of LP 104's - to use as singles - so once I have those I'll have to figure out how much weight I'll loose and where it should be for the best trim. I still like the idea of splitting between the two, though - regardless of how much weight...

[ScubaScott]

I've got a weight integrated BC and I've tried to stuff almost all weights in the pockets. I dive in a 7mm wetsuit, and I required 32lbs. However, I'm finding difficulty with bouyancy and trim (only 5 dives with it so far). Thinking going with a weight belt for a portion of the weight may be the solution.

SS

[ads]

Can't stand weight integrated BCs. I use a DUI weight harness rather than a weight belt diving in New England with my dry suit and on tropical trips a weight belt is all I need.

I dive solo quite a bit in New England and lifting the tank and BC to put it on alone is weight enough. The last thing I need is weigh-integration. Of course I could stick the weights in afterwards but I see no advantages to the integration thing.

DSDO

Alan

[srkdvr]

:mean:

You can keep the belt, but you don't need to use it. Just add the weight into your BCD and have a good time diving.

Rich :mean:

[caverkevin]

Originally posted by Uncle Pug

They're talking singles Kevin...

I see that and wonder "why?" are they talking about that in the technicial fourm. We should be talking about proper gas management rules for wreck diving or helium in deco gas or something....


KLJ

[Welshman]

Although I think I could put all the weight in the BC I've chosen to split it between the BC and a belt. I'm still fine tuning this but I found with all the weight in the BC it was too far forward and taking some of the weight out of the Bc and onto the belt is giving me a better profile in the water. Also lugging a BC full of lead around is not so easy. The first time I did that I stood it on the edge of the swimming pool, it fell , sunk to the bottom and I'm looking stupid on the side! This proves Uncle Pug's point.

regards

[buff]

I dive with 16lbs for my 5/3 suit-it all fits in my BC pockets without stability problems. With more weight I find a weight belt to be the way to go-the weight doesn't "fall forward" like it does in the pockets.

[Lloyd]

I once decided to get bc pockets and stuffed my weights in my BC. Then I realized that if I removed my tanks underwater( you have to some times) and let go of my BC, I would look like a spy hopping whale. Now I am back to a belt. UP's suggestion of splitting the weights sounds great. Amazing how he comes up with these answers.
Lloyd