Integrated BC/, or weight harness?

[Nilzlofgren]

My mind is made up, I'm getting rid of my weight belt. I cant be confident in my dive training, with a belt that constantly slides down below my butt. And, because of my need to concentrate on keeping calm and controlling my breathing, I will NOT do my OW cert dives while worrying about my belt staying put. So, I've decided that the Sea soft Sea wolf, is the best harness for me. Than I thought, maybe I should just get a weight integrated BC, and not even use a harness. Also, I think that the Sea Soft Pro BC allows you to use the orange mesh bags to hold the weights, (just like the harness,) so they can be handed up to the crew on the boat. Maybe this can be done with other BC's, but I'm not sure. I also like the infinite adjustment. Also, a weight integrated BC might be more budget friendly than buying two pieces of equipment. That being said, If I go with the weight integrated BC, I'm open to all manufactures, as reading many posts, that fit should be my #1 concern. Any thoughts on integrated versus non? Thanx.

 

[D_B]

I have integrated BC .. handy having all the weight off your hips (I have never handed off the weights when boarding)
... not so handy having all your weight on your rig if you have to take it off underwater .. you have to have a "death grip" on it.

Oh, this one .. http://seasoftscuba.com/products.php?productid=SWHAR ... looks like what i have ...

I have the DUI Weight And Trim harness that does a similar job in getting the weight off your hips by having sholder straps and quick release, and is seperate from your BC ... http://www.dui-online.com/bc_wt.htm
(I haven't had a chance to try it yet)

 

[The Chairman]

The DUI is a bit cheaper though it is a bit more spartan than the Sea Soft. It is also rated about 10# heavier. I have to admit, that it's the one that I use, though I have never tried the Sea Soft Belt.

Of course, even cheaper is this from our friends at Scuba.com Diving Portal - Scuba Gear, Scuba Diving Equipment & Snorkeling Equipment :

Trident Weight Belt Suspenders WB-3101 with reviews at scuba.com​

 

[Nilzlofgren]

The DUI is a bit cheaper though it is a bit more spartan than the Sea Soft. It is also rated about 10# heavier. I have to admit, that it's the one that I use, though I have never tried the Sea Soft Belt.

Of course, even cheaper is this from our friends at Scuba.com Diving Portal - Scuba Gear, Scuba Diving Equipment & Snorkeling Equipment :

Trident Weight Belt Suspenders WB-3101 with reviews at scuba.com​

I'm not bashing the DUI, I just like the features of the Sea wolf. I don't think I'd like those suspenders. I see the release, but if its under the BC, I don't see how it will come off.

 

[The Chairman]

BTW, I realized that I didn't answer your question. Sorry.

I have used both Weight Integrated BCs and those without such a feature, including the BP&Wing that I currently dive with. It's either BP& Wings with a weight harness or an integrated BC for me. Either way, I am fine. I might need to try the harness with a BC just to see how that works.

 

[Nilzlofgren]

I have integrated BC .. handy having all the weight off your hips (I have never handed off the weights when boarding)
... not so handy having all your weight on your rig if you have to take it off underwater .. you have to have a "death grip" on it.

Oh, this one .. SeaSoft Scuba Products ... looks like what i have ...

I have the DUI Weight And Trim harness that does a similar job in getting the weight off your hips by having sholder straps and quick release, and is seperate from your BC ... DUI - Weight & Trim Systems
(I haven't had a chance to try it yet)

I think you just made up my mind. Never thought about taking the BC off at depth. That is also one of the skills we have to do. Might never have to do it on a real dive, but if I have to, Its better to have the weight still on me.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

@Nilzlofgren: The DUI Weight & Trim (W/T) has large, easy-to-grip yellow handles which protrude from below your BCD. You do wear the W/T underneath the BCD, but you position the handles so that they are easily accessible. IMHO, the DUI release system is better than a lot of weight-integrated BCD release systems out there. Talk to someone who actually uses the W/T, and have them show you how to operate the release mechanism. The release is simple and not prone to accidental ditching. It's wonderful for shore diving. It can be a pain-in-the-butt for boat diving if you're asked to hand up your weight pockets before climbing back aboard the boat...because you'd have to dig your weights out of the W/T from underneath your BC. If you climb back aboard the boat with all of your gear still on, then the W/T works great. Before hitting the water, the straps do a nice job of distributing the weight evenly over your shoulders. Some people say they forget that they are wearing a weight harness. Highly recommended.

I have no experience with the SeaSoft system. It looks like it should work fine.

 

[The Chairman]

BTW, the trick to doffing and donning a weight integrated BC is NOT the death grip. Simply always position yourself UNDER your BC. Don't ever let it get beneath you like an anchor. My students learn this simple technique and have no issues.

In a prone position (face down) loosen your straps and undo all all of your clips and cummerbund. Slip your left arm out and rotate underneath your BC so that you are now looking up with your BC on top. Adjust/tighten what you need or untangle/cut your self free with your BC on your tummy and between you and the surface. Now just rotate the other direction and put your right arm through as you do. Put your left arm back in and re-clip and adjust your BC. It's really not that hard to do.

 

[Nilzlofgren]

@Nilzlofgren: The DUI Weight & Trim (W/T) has large, easy-to-grip yellow handles which protrude from below your BCD. You do wear the W/T underneath the BCD, but you position the handles so that they are easily accessible. IMHO, the DUI release system is better than a lot of weight-integrated BCD release systems out there. Talk to someone who actually uses the W/T, and have them show you how to operate the release mechanism. The release is simple and not prone to accidental ditching. It's wonderful for shore diving. It can be a pain-in-the-butt for boat diving if you're asked to hand up your weight pockets before climbing back aboard the boat...because you'd have to dig your weights out of the W/T from underneath your BC. If you climb back aboard the boat with all of your gear still on, then the W/T works great. Before hitting the water, the straps do a nice job of distributing the weight evenly over your shoulders. Some people say they forget that they are wearing a weight harness. Highly recommended.

I have no experience with the SeaSoft system. It looks like it should work fine.

When I mentioned about it being hard to release, I was talking about those suspenders that you attach to your weight belt. As far as handing your weights up to the boat, the Sea Soft pockets can be adjusted to sit below your BC. And, the pockets also have a zipper on the top to allow you to take the weight out of the pocket, and hand it up to the boat.

 

[spectrum]

If your hips are not holding the belt than by all means go with the harness. Hanging onto a weight integrated BC get harder and harder as you head north and wear more buoyant exposure protection and carry the commensurate weight.

The upside is that your BC won't be a heavy pig of a thing if you do need to hand it up. With the BC off your back you may be just fine climbing the ladder with the weight harness in place.

Do try to set yourself up so you are still buoyant out of your BC with the loaded harness. This will mean that some negative buoyancy is on the BC in the form of a steel cylinder, trim weights, or a SS back plate. That way of you need to doff the BC on the surface you will be independently buoyant.

Pete