Retrieving integrated weights

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scubadiver888

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I just don't log dives
Greetings,

Pretty much every time I'm drift diving in the Niagara River (Ontario, Canada) I find an integrated weight pocket with some weights in it. Now I've drifting along fairly fast and visibility is usually pretty bad. So when I see one of these weight pockets I usually have one shot to grab it. But then I'm drifting along with too much weight and struggling to hold on to the thing.

I'm in a drysuit with a BP/W. I figure I can add a little air to the drysuit to compensate for the extra weight. But I need to have my hands free. Anyone have any ideas what I can use to stow the weight pocket in?

I don't want to put it in my drysuit pocket. Probably not a good idea to put weights in the pocket and I have no idea how much weight is in these pockets. Could be 3 lbs or could be 20 lbs. Based on how hard they are to hold, I'm guessing it is more like 10 or 20 lbs.

I also don't want to put it on one side of my body because that will throw off my trim, especially if it is 20 lbs.

I have these two pockets from Diverite:
Vertical-1-Zip-Bellows-Pocket_AC3203_Front-View-600x600.jpg
XL-Sidemount-Pouch_AC3204-XL_Front-View-600x600.jpg


I was thinking about putting these on my waist belt near the buckle. Not sure if they'll be big enough to hold the entire weight pocket but might be easier to hold it in these pockets rather than just by my hand.

Anyone have any other ideas? Last two weight pockets I found but couldn't hold onto were a Mares and a Sherwood.

TIA,
Darrell
 
I use a game bag clipped off to a d-ring to store my collected gear, a small bag would probably work. One clip and you can dump it if necessary, at least that is my plan.


Bob
 
Kite sailors have a one pull release that will activate under pressure to cut themselves loose of the kite should things go wrong. I think you can get one in a decently equipped marine supply. You might also add an appropriately sized lift bag to offset the weight of heavier finds.

I tried to bring in an entire cold water weight belt (maybe 30#+) by hand once. Lots of air in both the BC and drysuit. Very taxing. I soon realized If I dropped it I was going up FAST. I left it at the base of a buoy anchor and notified the nearby shop.
 
I use a game bag clipped off to a d-ring to store my collected gear, a small bag would probably work. One clip and you can dump it if necessary, at least that is my plan.

Bob

The current is quite fast and there is a lot to get caught on. So I'm trying to get something which will not be a catch hazard. I thought about a game bag but decided against it. Maybe with a lift bag for places with less current. Flying along at 8 to 10 knots with only 5 to 10 feet visibility I often find myself bouncing off boulders, logs, shopping carts, etc.. I'd be really worried about catching the game bag on something.

Hmm, maybe one of those tubes for holding dead lionfish might work.

Kite sailors have a one pull release that will activate under pressure to cut themselves loose of the kite should things go wrong. I think you can get one in a decently equipped marine supply. You might also add an appropriately sized lift bag to offset the weight of heavier finds.

I tried to bring in an entire cold water weight belt (maybe 30#+) by hand once. Lots of air in both the BC and drysuit. Very taxing. I soon realized If I dropped it I was going up FAST. I left it at the base of a buoy anchor and notified the nearby shop.

I'd never try for something over 30 lbs in the Niagara River. For something that heavy I'd use a lift bag. Like you note, if I used my drysuit for buoyancy and dropped the weight I'd shot to the surface. In my case there is a lot of boat traffic overhead. Getting bent is the least of my concern if I pop to the surface. I'd be more worried about getting hit by a high speed boat.

I'm hoping the weight pockets will have 10 lbs or less. If I found myself adding too much air to my drysuit I'd probably dump air and abandon the weight pocket. I don't think it should be too bad. I've picked one up by hand and carried it for a good 10 to 15 minutes. The drift is usually 50 minutes or longer. Even if I find the weight pocket in the middle of the drift, I still need to carry the weight pocket for 25 to 30 minutes.
 
Last few times I found an integrated weight pocket I just tucked it under my waist strap where the crotch strap is. Didn't adjust my belt so they've held pretty snug. The ones I've found have been fairly large so I wasn't worried it'd fall out. Smaller weights I just put in my drysuit pocket.
 
Thanks @Jack Hammer . That might be worth giving a try. Worst case, it falls out. I use a 2" crotch strap. That should be plenty large enough to hold it.
 
Have you ever found a stray weight belt on the bottom?
 
I jam found weights under my bcd in the small of my back, kinda works. Fine if I stay horizontal. Otherwise, I'll use a section of string and tie it to a bolt snap to clip around my tank neck or belt.

Mandatory warning about the dangers of using yourself as a lift bag... Have your buoyancy well under control before salvaging small stuff... My buddy thought up an anchor. Glad he kept a good grip.
 
Why can’t you just leave the weight pockets on the bottom?
 
I've used my SMB to float/swim with recovered weight pockets, and once an entire weight belt.

I recently found two different weight pockets & stowed them in my buddies thigh pockets. Buddy was underweighted & struggling to submerge 'til I loaded 'em up.
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/teric/

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