Weight Belts and Buckles

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lukemil

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Messages
28
Reaction score
3
Location
Fun City
# of dives
100 - 199
I am in the process of moving from a conventional BCD to a BP/W. I rented a Halcyon rig at my LDS to try it out and really liked it. I am on my way to Vieques in two weeks, so I thought it would be a nice excuse to get something light for travel and then assuming all goes well, get another heavier rig for colder Northeastern diving next year. I went with a Dive Rite back plate and Traveller wing with their basic harness. I have the weight belt that I bought for my first pool classes and I plan on using that with whatever weight I need to dive with my 3 mil suit and the ubiquitous 80cf aluminum tank that they will probably rent in PR. My question is this: I know that 2" cordura basic weight belts get loose as depth pressure compresses exposure suits. Does scubaboard wisdom suggest rubber belts, expandable buckles, or just readjustment in order to keep weight belts from slipping off at depth? I was thinking about completing a deep dive specialty while I'm there, so this seems like something I need to think about.

Thanks for humoring my noobness.
 
I use a rubber weight belt with a bail buckle. Others use the Mako rubber weight belt.
 
Really just a matter of how much compression there is and how tight you like your belt. A 3mil suit does not compress very much, just tighten. OR, weight yourself properly and you won't need a belt. If the backplate is AL then with a 3mil you'll need about 4-5 lbs, al 80 another 4 and the plate is neg 2. So, round up to 10 pos, 2 neg, you'll need 8 lbs, which fit nice into ditch able or nonditchable pockets or threaded onto your waist belt. Or to make them ditch able use bungee loops.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
We have seen a growing number of scuba customers ordering our rubber weight belts. What are the advantages of a rubber belt (over a typical nylon belt)?


  • The elasticity of the belt allows the belt to contact so that, typically no adjustment or tightening is required at depth to compensate for wetsuit compression.
  • The rubber belt tends to stick to the exposure suit. This higher friction condition serves as a significant impediment to the belt spinning on the diver..It stays put.
  • Due to the elasticity and "stickiness" of the rubber, the belt can be worn LOW, below the belly and across the buttocks (without sliding down or falling off). This eliminates the need to over-tighten a nylon belt over your belly which tends to affect breathing (from your diaphragm). This also makes the belt much more comfortable and this is especially beneficial to people with low back pain - beacuse the belt can be worn lower than the small of the back. It also allows the diver to adjust the position, either lower or higher on the back (if fatigue sets in) - which is not really an option with a nylon belt.
  • The elastic rubber belt (such as the one that we sell) is EXTREMELY easy and fast to ditch in an emergency. The buckle appears to be similar to a normal belt buckle, but the way it is assembled (the pin is under tension), the buckles POPS open when you pull the end back. The video below shows this feature pretty well. It also bears mentioning that, if scuba divers need to ditch a belt in an emergency quickly - a freediver has even less time to ditch a belt..So even though the belt looks different and might appear slow to ditch, it is easy to drop.

  • Lastly: Why buy my MAKO Belt? The belt is excellent quality AND if you ever ditch it in an emergency (and are unable to recover it later) - I will buy you a new one, including any lead which you purchased from MAKO as well. The details of our offer can be found under the weightbelt link.
Please watch this informative video.

Thanks!

Dano

[video=youtube_share;XwA8DL6-Ya0]http://youtu.be/XwA8DL6-Ya0[/video]

Freedive Weight Belt | MAKO Spearguns

MFDWB-2T.jpg
 
Does scubaboard wisdom suggest rubber belts, expandable buckles, or just readjustment in order to keep weight belts from slipping off at depth?
I use web belts, and own 3-4 styles of rubber belts as well. Frankly, when I dive the warm Caribbean, in either a 1mm or a 3mm, i don;t experience enough belt looseness from neoprene compression to make a difference. I usually just dive a web belt, and tighten as I descend, as necessary. It really isn't a big deal.
 
There won't be any consensual common wisdom. Just like with every other piece of equipment, your preferences should rule your world. I went integrated a long time ago and would not go back to wearing a belt of any kind unless necessity dictated. It's the beach - no belt required.
 
Ok. Ordered Mako belt and will give it a try. Thank you all for your prompt and wise replies.
 
Good call. I own one and it's the shizzle.
 
I put my belt under my harness so even if it slides down a little it isn't an issue.
 
I own two of the mako belts as does the gf. I dumped integrated weights in 2006 and will never go back to them. I have my Mako belts set up with individual pockets and custom triglides I cut out of lean to keep them from sliding around. The pockets allow me to change weights quickly and dump as much as I may need without ditching the entire belt.
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/swift/
http://cavediveflorida.com/Rum_House.htm

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