2airishuman
Contributor
I too am a solo diver who places great faith in things like physics and accident reports.
It is my perception that few (if any) fatalities are averted by ditching weight. In fact, it is my perception that it is rare that any diver ditches weight intentionally in an actual emergency.
Here's why. The only circumstances where ditching weight is a wise choice is when a diver is at the surface and is having trouble staying there. Usually that happens with newly minted divers who are panicking, and they can't ditch weight any more effectively than they can inflate their BC. An experienced diver unable to stay at the surface has other things to try, and usually won't ditch because it's expensive and a hassle to replace integrated weight pouches.
I use a weight belt and typically carry some ditchable weight however it is under my crotch strap and won't come off in one motion the way I was taught. There are some dives where I am properly weighted without adding lead. I avoid configurations where I am overweighted without adding lead but if it is just by a pound or two I'll do it.
I don't believe that, in my particular situation, having ditchable weight contributes to safety.
It is my perception that few (if any) fatalities are averted by ditching weight. In fact, it is my perception that it is rare that any diver ditches weight intentionally in an actual emergency.
Here's why. The only circumstances where ditching weight is a wise choice is when a diver is at the surface and is having trouble staying there. Usually that happens with newly minted divers who are panicking, and they can't ditch weight any more effectively than they can inflate their BC. An experienced diver unable to stay at the surface has other things to try, and usually won't ditch because it's expensive and a hassle to replace integrated weight pouches.
I use a weight belt and typically carry some ditchable weight however it is under my crotch strap and won't come off in one motion the way I was taught. There are some dives where I am properly weighted without adding lead. I avoid configurations where I am overweighted without adding lead but if it is just by a pound or two I'll do it.
I don't believe that, in my particular situation, having ditchable weight contributes to safety.