Weight Distribution BP/W

[Rooster59]

Hi,

My question today: How best to figure weight distribution for 2 BP/W setups.

I have 2 different setups, both BP/W. One is a thick SS plate + thick STA, the other is a thin SS "dogbone" plate for travel with weight pockets on the cam-bands. 32lb. wing, fins are SB Jets (neg bouy).

I mostly dive single AL80's, with a 5mm full wetsuit size Med. I may buy a steel 100-120, but for now AL80's. No interest in doubles, wrecks, caves, etc. 5' 10" 170lb guy.

With the thick SS setup, I have 6 lbs. in a weight pouch belt. I like the belt. Trim seem perfect. I feel like I could take a nap at whatever depth I want. The belt itself doesn't seem uncomfortable on land. I'll set up the dogbone plate with whatever lead I need to match the other, or put the difference in the belt.

I wonder if I could move more weight to the plate / cambands, but I really don't like the idea of becoming a polaris missile from 50' if I ever had to ditch the gear. I think the real answer would be to free-dive with the wetsuit and weightbelt to see how much weight I need for that. Then put any under/over on the plate. Not really sure. I have the junk needed to make a P-weights or bolt-on weights for the plate.

Thanks for any help!

 

[dumpsterDiver]

I place a high value on being able to make it to the surface should any of the components of my BC fail. This means for most wetsuits, I will be carrying some ditchable lead. Dropping 8-12 lbs of lead at depth is NOT going to immediately send you shooting to the surface.


I am a big fan of elastic rubber weight belts- the ones freedivers use. They don't slide around and they automatically compensate for some suit compression and they can be worn low on your hips - if that feels comfortable.

 

[scubadada]

I place a high value on being able to make it to the surface should any of the components of my BC fail. This means for most wetsuits, I will be carrying some ditchable lead. Dropping 8-12 lbs of lead at depth is NOT going to immediately send you shooting to the surface.


I am a big fan of elastic rubber weight belts- the ones freedivers use. They don't slide around and they automatically compensate for some suit compression and they can be worn low on your hips - if that feels comfortable.

Hi DD, what brand do you use, Mako?

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I have two MAKO rubber belts. Only weight belt I will ever use from this point on. Quality construction and their guarantee is unique to the industry. Plus they are just plain good guys to deal with.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

Hi DD, what brand do you use, Mako?

I've used several brands including Mako. I have even made DIY belts from truck inner tube. Mako belts are good, priced decently and they have a pretty cool emergency ditch policy.

 

[ams511]

I've used several brands including Mako. I have even made DIY belts from truck inner tube. Mako belts are good, priced decently and they have a pretty cool emergency ditch policy.

If you go over to the Spero website it seems they argue over which belt is best like we do over regulators.

 

[Aquavelvet]

For trim purposes, one or two strap mounted weight pouches are quite handy. I add 3lbs to the upper or lower cam band depending on which tank I'm using.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[TSandM]

I like to split up my weights, because among other things, it makes everything easier to move around on land, or to swap out tanks on a boat. I also use the rubber Mako belt (thanks to DD, who convinced me to try it).

 

[halocline]

Hi,

My question today: How best to figure weight distribution for 2 BP/W setups.

I have 2 different setups, both BP/W. One is a thick SS plate + thick STA, the other is a thin SS "dogbone" plate for travel with weight pockets on the cam-bands. 32lb. wing, fins are SB Jets (neg bouy).

I mostly dive single AL80's, with a 5mm full wetsuit size Med. I may buy a steel 100-120, but for now AL80's. No interest in doubles, wrecks, caves, etc. 5' 10" 170lb guy.

With the thick SS setup, I have 6 lbs. in a weight pouch belt. I like the belt. Trim seem perfect. I feel like I could take a nap at whatever depth I want. The belt itself doesn't seem uncomfortable on land. I'll set up the dogbone plate with whatever lead I need to match the other, or put the difference in the belt.

I wonder if I could move more weight to the plate / cambands, but I really don't like the idea of becoming a polaris missile from 50' if I ever had to ditch the gear. I think the real answer would be to free-dive with the wetsuit and weightbelt to see how much weight I need for that. Then put any under/over on the plate. Not really sure. I have the junk needed to make a P-weights or bolt-on weights for the plate.

Thanks for any help!

I'm not 100% sure what exactly you're asking, but I guess you want to experiment with moving weight back and forth between your hips and back until you get the trim you want. I don't think anyone can really tell you what the best distribution is for you. If your total ballast is in the 20lb range (thick plate +STA+6lbs of lead) you definitely want some of that to be ditchable. Its more for the surface than for at depth; most divers can swim up against several lbs of ballast, but keeping afloat for any length of time with your head out of the water is tougher.

For me, in a 5mil suit and an AL80 (a combination I rarely use, to be honest) I think I would put 4 lbs on my hips to counter the floaty-ness of the tank bottom, and the rest on my back. But this is best determined by experimenting.

 

[Rooster59]

Thanks for the replies. I may chainsaw through the ice and do some weight checks.