filmguy123
Contributor
1.) DSS, BP/W, and Tobin's short inflator hose
Man this thing is short. I can't even get my hand arched around into the thumb/pointer finger I was taught when I am wearing full coldwater gear. An extra 4-5 inches here would be nice. I don't mean to start a debate or anything of the sort, but let me ask: I assume this problem is on me... what is the proper form to handle this thing? Like I said, with all my gear on, I find it exceptionally difficult if not impossible to get my left hand on that L position.
2.) BP/W and a weight belt makes it hard to ditch weight if ever needed
So, the weight belt goes under the BP/W crotch strap. On one hand, this is as easy as "just undo the BP/W, then the weight belt". On the other hand, as a brand new diver using as harness system unfamiliar to everyone around me, this is a few extra steps of complexity. First undo the BP/W, then thread the crotch strap out, and now my weight belt is clear for release. Ok. I don't love the extra steps there. But my greater concern is that of other divers having no idea what to do. Unfortunately (for better or worse), even many instructors and DMs weren't familiar with the BP/W setup and I had to explain to them how to release the weights from me if ever needed. They didn't seem super confident in this - or should I say, I did not feel super confident in their ability to handle this. Any thoughts on how to better handle weighting to keep things as safe as possible while I am new? I'm not talking about a speculative and highly undesireable out of air weight ditch below the surface... thinking more of just a surface emergency of some sort. Perhaps I am overthinking that, but as a new diver, the BP/W with full coldwater gear is not easy to slip out of, people around me have no idea how to unhook it, it's heavier than most any BC because of all the integrated weight, and releasing the weight belt requires undoing multiple straps that others don't know how to use first. Disconcerting.
3.) Slight over weighting as a beginner?
What is the best balance between proper weighting and slight over weighting? I know the scuba pros here will *always* advocate proper weighting - of course! It's called proper for a reason. But throw yourself back to dive 5. With proper weighting, it seems quite difficult to get that initial ascent going. I'm fine with that. However, it can be problemetic on the way BACK - it's quite difficult to hold buoyancy at 15 feet currently, because you must be great on breath control, etc. Additionally, in the event of loss of control of buoyancy, it seems it would be very difficult to stop oneself once the snowball affect takes over, even with all weight ditched from the BC - because once you hit 15-20 feet with any amount of momentum, I don't see how you could stop yourself without perfect breath control and proper form.
Perhaps I am missing something here - but it seems a little overweighting of 2lbs or so would assist in keeping one down at these shallow depths where the pressure change is so strong, and the buoyancy is difficult? I know that in general, over-weighting requires use of more air in the BC which expands more upon ascent, and so over-weighting is not a great solution as it can actual cause you to be working with excess expanding air - but is there ever a good balance or trade off here for safety as a beginner until buoyancy is more dialed in?
4.) Proper weight distribution
On a BP/W setup, do you ever want any weight placed towards the front of the torso (chest area, front of weight belt)? Or should it all be centered on hips and back, with the only placement considerations being towards the head or tail? I seemed to have some problems with the rig wanting to pull me backwards from a vertical position, but that may also be as simple as a form issue? Any weighting tips to help prevent roll as well?
Man this thing is short. I can't even get my hand arched around into the thumb/pointer finger I was taught when I am wearing full coldwater gear. An extra 4-5 inches here would be nice. I don't mean to start a debate or anything of the sort, but let me ask: I assume this problem is on me... what is the proper form to handle this thing? Like I said, with all my gear on, I find it exceptionally difficult if not impossible to get my left hand on that L position.
2.) BP/W and a weight belt makes it hard to ditch weight if ever needed
So, the weight belt goes under the BP/W crotch strap. On one hand, this is as easy as "just undo the BP/W, then the weight belt". On the other hand, as a brand new diver using as harness system unfamiliar to everyone around me, this is a few extra steps of complexity. First undo the BP/W, then thread the crotch strap out, and now my weight belt is clear for release. Ok. I don't love the extra steps there. But my greater concern is that of other divers having no idea what to do. Unfortunately (for better or worse), even many instructors and DMs weren't familiar with the BP/W setup and I had to explain to them how to release the weights from me if ever needed. They didn't seem super confident in this - or should I say, I did not feel super confident in their ability to handle this. Any thoughts on how to better handle weighting to keep things as safe as possible while I am new? I'm not talking about a speculative and highly undesireable out of air weight ditch below the surface... thinking more of just a surface emergency of some sort. Perhaps I am overthinking that, but as a new diver, the BP/W with full coldwater gear is not easy to slip out of, people around me have no idea how to unhook it, it's heavier than most any BC because of all the integrated weight, and releasing the weight belt requires undoing multiple straps that others don't know how to use first. Disconcerting.
3.) Slight over weighting as a beginner?
What is the best balance between proper weighting and slight over weighting? I know the scuba pros here will *always* advocate proper weighting - of course! It's called proper for a reason. But throw yourself back to dive 5. With proper weighting, it seems quite difficult to get that initial ascent going. I'm fine with that. However, it can be problemetic on the way BACK - it's quite difficult to hold buoyancy at 15 feet currently, because you must be great on breath control, etc. Additionally, in the event of loss of control of buoyancy, it seems it would be very difficult to stop oneself once the snowball affect takes over, even with all weight ditched from the BC - because once you hit 15-20 feet with any amount of momentum, I don't see how you could stop yourself without perfect breath control and proper form.
Perhaps I am missing something here - but it seems a little overweighting of 2lbs or so would assist in keeping one down at these shallow depths where the pressure change is so strong, and the buoyancy is difficult? I know that in general, over-weighting requires use of more air in the BC which expands more upon ascent, and so over-weighting is not a great solution as it can actual cause you to be working with excess expanding air - but is there ever a good balance or trade off here for safety as a beginner until buoyancy is more dialed in?
4.) Proper weight distribution
On a BP/W setup, do you ever want any weight placed towards the front of the torso (chest area, front of weight belt)? Or should it all be centered on hips and back, with the only placement considerations being towards the head or tail? I seemed to have some problems with the rig wanting to pull me backwards from a vertical position, but that may also be as simple as a form issue? Any weighting tips to help prevent roll as well?