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You shouldnt NEED to lift a BCD with the weights all in.. "Last in - first out" is quite apt for the weights if youre diving integrated. You then dont need to lift it, you dont risk putting them on top of the regs, you dont risk pinching the bladder.. And you get to practice ditching them every time you start taking your kit off.....
When we need to use more than 20 lbs. on a diver, which is quite often, we start using belts/harnesses and putting some weight on them. I can't imagine a new diver even wanting to lift a BC with that much lead in it. And that is from experience as a new drysuit diver when I didn't know any better.
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You shouldnt NEED to lift a BCD with the weights all in.. "Last in - first out" is quite apt for the weights if youre diving integrated. You then dont need to lift it, you dont risk putting them on top of the regs, you dont risk pinching the bladder.. And you get to practice ditching them every time you start taking your kit off..
Twenty pounds = 8 in each pouch and 4 on the belt. Properly weighted you should not need to ever drop more than that to start and ascent. And having the other 16 in the pouches will still allow you some control over the ascent.
OR
4 in each pouch and 12 on the belt. That way one can ditch one pouch and still control their ascent. Course they have to be willing to drop that pouch that may cost them 50 bucks plus the lead to replace. If they're not ok doing that they probably should not have bought that BC as their priorities are all screwed up over money vs life.
---------- Post added September 30th, 2013 at 06:17 PM ----------
Shouldn't true, but this is what I see all the time at our training sites. People load the BC, heave it onto a tailgate or bench, then put it on and jump in. And the instructors say nothing because they are doing the same thing.
Twenty pounds = 8 in each pouch and 4 on the belt. Properly weighted you should not need to ever drop more than that to start and ascent. And having the other 16 in the pouches will still allow you some control over the ascent.
OR
4 in each pouch and 12 on the belt. That way one can ditch one pouch and still control their ascent. Course they have to be willing to drop that pouch that may cost them 50 bucks plus the lead to replace. If they're not ok doing that they probably should not have bought that BC as their priorities are all screwed up over money vs life.
---------- Post added September 30th, 2013 at 06:17 PM ----------
Shouldn't true, but this is what I see all the time at our training sites. People load the BC, heave it onto a tailgate or bench, then put it on and jump in. And the instructors say nothing because they are doing the same thing.
Jim, do you have someone in a bp/w set up put the extra weight on the belt of the harness or a separate weight belt entirely?
I am currently way overweighted in my new drysuit but the drysuit course was included with the drysuit purchase - and let's just say I feel I got my money's worth. I could have learned more from a few hours cyber diving.
I used to wear no ditchable weight when I was diving in a 7mm suit - but I also switched out my
bp/w to a new Halcyon set up versus the patched together and slashed up Diverite rig I bought used from a guy about twice my size.
I've never practiced ditching weights during a buddy check but we are so heavily weighted (my dive group and I all have steel tanks) that we try to avoid spending too much time fussing around when we are geared up. It's usually a quick buddy check and then right into the water.
I HAVE done similar to that on occasion, but with one major difference. I dont load the BC first, then lift it. I set it up where its ready to be put on, THEN load it and don it. Yes, Im lazy and lift as little as possible. If I where to lift scrapiron for fun Id go to the gym, not to the beach...
Shouldn't true, but this is what I see all the time at our training sites. People load the BC, heave it onto a tailgate or bench, then put it on and jump in. And the instructors say nothing because they are doing the same thing.
Welcome to Sherwood Scuba!I don't know what brand BC pouch is rated for that much weight even. When we need to use more than 20 lbs. on a diver, which is quite often, we start using belts/harnesses and putting some weight on them. I can't imagine a new diver even wanting to lift a BC with that much lead in it. And that is from experience as a new drysuit diver when I didn't know any better.
My rule is no more than 8 lbs. in integrated pouches. Most are rated to ten but I don't like getting that close to the rating.
I run a Ranger with a ripcord ......... I like an Idiot proof positive lock design, they are solidly there until you pull the ripcord and then they are positively gone.