Question about ditching a BC with all your weight in it?

[dumpsterDiver]

Why not just take the tank off and see how it feels? I bet one time with that and you won't be puting 30 lbs in the BC. The comments about flairing out on ascent are very good, but the idea of taking a weight pocket with you is not. If you got time to screw with a weight pocket, yo probably have time to try to free the scuba unit and come up with it.

 

[Nemrod]

Sounds good in theory, but I always raise the issue of what "I" should do given that with double steel 119s and an AL backplate I'm still a few pounds overweight with no lead whatsoever. So I have no weight to ditch. I guess I could switch to AL doubles and put some lead on a belt, but then I'd have a lot less air. I'll err on the side of having enough air to get out of the jam.

OK, sorry, your question is really a bit more advanced than the typical sport diver profile. I suggest you question those who dive similar rigs. I doubt I would dive such a rig and my answer was directed to a more reasonable configuration.

If your not diving a deco profile or overhead profile with that rig then I would suggest you use a smaller doubles rig or a singles rig so that you can share the weight between yourself and your rig.

N

 

[diver 85]

Since I started diving a BPW and teaching classes I've gotten into the habit of using a belt even when using my jacket bc. And the more I think about it the more sense it makes. Now I believe there is never any reason to drop all your weights at depth. So along those lines I have come to the conclusion that no matter how convenient it is, putting all the weight in the bc is a bad idea. Now assuming you have to ditch your bc unless you are going to relase the tank and reg and take them with you, you have a finite amount of air to work with. At this point it's either try to stay down and drown in order to do some kind of controlled ascent,say on a line, or just exhale continuously and accept that depending on how long you've been down a chamber ride may be in order. I would be curious though as to why you'd need 30 plus pounds in a 5 mil though. For me with an al 80 even in a jacket bc it's more like 16-18. ALso just how much lead do you really need to drop to start an ascent?

I was just using this as an example, I've never used over 15 #'s of weight @ any time....., make it a 7 mm suit with a 7 mm hooded long sleeve vest underneath with VERY + fins---I don 't care.....lol---whatever you want just something to make it alot of weight you had on----As I said, I now use part(4 or 6#s) in my Scout BC with the rest on a belt, 6 to 8 #s.....Just curious as to how someone would handle a 'all of a Sudden Rush To the Top'........Guess you have to think ahead, like loosing your belt UW----Flair Baby Flair....Seems like alot are into the 'all in the BC thingy', & for what reason----I can't figure it out...

 

[Allison Finch]

I have taken my tank off a number of times at depth for reasons ranging from freeflowing dump valve to tank sliding out of the band. I almost never use weights in my weight pockets. I always use a weight belt. I have a large SMB in one pocket sleeve, and sometimes a bailout bottle/reg in the other. It is nice to have no bouyancy problems if taking off the BCD is necessary.

 

[emttim]

Yep, I agree 110%

I was just "theorizing" as to why someone would be ditching a BC underwater in the 1st place, and "entanglement" seemed the most likely answer... I think the whole idea posed by the original poster was a "what if" scenario....

I think far more likely "what-if" scenario for integrated weight BC's would be accidental release of the weights while underwater. This is something I think those wearing integrated BC's should consider... just like I've considered "what-if" my weightbelt came off... I think this whole topic is just food for thought, but is worthwhile considering.

Safe Diving!

This is quite true, and BCDs that have velcro & clip weight pockets instead of the "ripcord"-style are (from what I hear) prone to having the pockets fall out if they're not firmly clipped in. I just can't imagine how anyone could get entangled so horribly that they would have to take their BCD off instead of just use shears or a dive knife to cut themselves loose unless they simply were not watching where they were going.

Why not just take the tank off and see how it feels? I bet one time with that and you won't be puting 30 lbs in the BC. The comments about flairing out on ascent are very good, but the idea of taking a weight pocket with you is not. If you got time to screw with a weight pocket, yo probably have time to try to free the scuba unit and come up with it.

Good point on the weight pockets. I would imagine that inbetween the option of ditching the scuba unit and a CESA, the diver would make damn sure he/she kept ahold of that scuba unit to prevent a rapid ascent.

I have taken my tank off a number of times at depth for reasons ranging from freeflowing dump valve to tank sliding out of the band. I almost never use weights in my weight pockets. I always use a weight belt. I have a large SMB in one pocket sleeve, and sometimes a bailout bottle/reg in the other. It is nice to have no bouyancy problems if taking off the BCD is necessary.

I don't mean to stir anything up, but wouldn't a good pre-dive safety check spot things such as a possibly damaged valve, loose tank in band, etc.? From reading this thread, it does sound like a weight belt may be worth it, but it also seems like a lot of the reasons for having to remove a scuba unit are preventable.