Side Pinch Buckle on Weight Belt ?

[lowviz]

IMHO, stick with the basic config. The last thing a rescuer needs is to try to figure out how to drop your custom weights.

Right hand, weights. Left hand, BCD.

I too, endorse the MAKO belt.

 

[JamesBon92007]

With the typical 2" nylon webbing belt I find that no matter how tight I get it before getting in the water I need to tighten it again when I get down a ways. For me this is easily accomplished with a quick-release buckle. I don't think I could do it very easily with a side-release buckle. I have not tried a rubber belt but it sure looks like a workable solution and probably better than than adding a bungee cord to a regular weight belt, which I also have thought about but never tried. I guess I'm so used to the routine of re-tightening my weight belt at the beginning of a dive that I quit looking for another solution. On my next trip I'm going to use integrated weights so we'll see how that goes. No doubt I'll be trying to re-tighten my BC waist strap in order to satisfy my 50-year-old habit.

 

[MAKO Spearguns]

Thanks very much for the recommendations and positive feedback on our weight belt.

I hope it is OK to post a short video about this type of belt, why it is advantageous and also how easy it is to ditch. Video is done for a freediver, but is just as applicable for scuba.

 

[Akimbo]

I seem to remember them having a wire bale that went over a cam type buckle that had a notch for the bail on their belts. This had to be back in the early 60's. I wonder if something like that is still around or maybe there's a reason they aren't I'm probably just way overthinking this, but I'm retired and have time.

Yes: Trident Stainless Steel Quick Release Wire Weight Belt Buckle Set

You can also get them on a rubber belt: Aqua 65

However, they are not as reliable as the Freediver style. I used this type in the 1960s as well and had to wedge it under a weight so it wouldn't come off accidently. That required two hands to drop the belt but was better than replacing a lost belt every few dives. It is hard to see in this image but is there if you look close:

 

[Bob DBF]

Both of them had their buckle come loose on warm water dives with no wetsuit so compression wasn't

You don't need to be wearing a wetsuit to have squeeze, pressure is slimming. Also, if you put a weight belt on standing up, it will be looser in the water due to sag caused by weights when standing up. I haven't had a buckle slip if the mechanism was not compromised.

I have not tried a rubber belt but it sure looks like a workable solution and probably better than than adding a bungee cord to a regular weight belt, which I also have thought about but never tried.

They used to make belts like that commercially, I have an old one that the bungee rotted. I am planning on repairing it and seeing how well it works. Since I don't see many now, I don't expect great success.


Bob

 

[Rred]

Those "side pinch" buckles are called "Fastex" buckles, after the company that invented them IIRC. Genuine Fastex brand buckles are pretty strong. A lot of cheap copies are just cheap copies that break.

I wouldn't have much hesitation about using one on a weight belt, but the simple flip-lever buckle, either metal or plastic, has never just "let go" on me. It is also pretty reliable about releasing when needed, as opposed to the Fastex buckle which sometimes isn't so easy to squeeze and release.

And there's a variation on the Fastex, that also requires a small "safety" be pushed in before it can be released, so even if they look the same, they are not all quite the same.

 

[Bob DBF]

I wouldn't have much hesitation about using one on a weight belt, but the simple flip-lever buckle, either metal or plastic, has never just "let go" on me. It is also pretty reliable about releasing when needed, as opposed to the Fastex buckle which sometimes isn't so easy to squeeze and release.

I would have two issues with the Fastex buckles. First is that I dive cold water wet and my fingers do not necessarily work well when cold, when I need to drop a belt I do not need issues. Second is that there is no way to take up any slack in the belt which may cause it to slip off inadvertently.


Bob

 

[ZzzKing]

The only problem we ever had was with a standard nylon cam buckle that came apart on my wife’s belt. I had to re-build it while she held on to my shoulder strap. Never had any problem with a ss buckle.

I have never seen an abandoned belt laying on the bottom. I have seen quite a few weight pockets laying on the bottom.

 

[JamesBon92007]

The only problem we ever had was with a standard nylon cam buckle that came apart on my wife’s belt. I had to re-build it while she held on to my shoulder strap. Never had any problem with a ss buckle.

I have never seen an abandoned belt laying on the bottom. I have seen quite a few weight pockets laying on the bottom.

I wonder how that happens with the weight pockets. Aren't they attached in a couple of places? The guy at Aldora (Cozumel) collects them and gives them to people who have lost theirs. Mine slide onto the waist strap and attach to the backplate.

I have a few plastic cam buckles and I'm always surprised that they are still holding up. I think plastic is OK for the harness waist strap but don't like them for cam straps or weight belts. Having said that, I have had a SS weight belt buckle come apart but it was easily repaired with a little leverage and some coercion.

 

[Magnus Lundstedt]

I have one old Scuba Pro weight belt buckle that was slipping, i bent it with some tools and i don't slide any more. (I use it in my jeans )