Anyone take soft weights for BCDs to Bonaire?

[drrich2]

Hi:

I use a weight-integrated BCD (weight belts don't work out for me). I generally use soft weights. I'm told Bonaire mainly has hard weights.

Any of you take your soft weights with you, on your person (to avoid overweighting baggage)?

Do airlines take issue with soft weights containing 'shot?'

Richard.

 

[dlndavid]

I have taken soft weights on travels once, major pain. I now use the hard weights, can't even tell the difference. I use a Knighthawk BCD.

 

[RICHinNC]

I only need 8 lbs in warm water so I take them with me. I put my bp and wing in a computer like bag with weights in pockets and TSA has looked at it several times and I have had to explain my gear several times but they never say anything or stop me.

 

[dlndavid]

I need 18

 

[UndrWatrDan]

I use 8lbs when diving locally or in the pool, and I generally use soft weights in my bcd, but I need 18lbs in salt water, so I opt for the hard weights when I travel and have never had a problem.

 

[scubaotter]

I made the mistake of taking weights once and will never do it again. It is a royal pain all the way around and you won't be able to tell the difference between the hard weight and the soft weight with a weight-integrated BCD.

 

[RS]

Airlines are upping the ante on luggage.

http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=177605

If you don't want to put hard wts in your BC, rent the belt.

 

[spectrum]

You shouldn't even be able to tell what they are in a weight integrated BCD, especially in the amount most need for tropical diving.

 

[The Chairman]

When we viewed the video on Bonaire, they specifically asked to not use soft weights. They are afraid of the pollution of a billion pieces of lead.

 

[tvictory]

I made the mistake of taking weights once and will never do it again. It is a royal pain all the way around and you won't be able to tell the difference between the hard weight and the soft weight with a weight-integrated BCD.

Many dive ops in the islands have an odd assortment bean-bag weights, generally weights that travelers have brought from home and decided to leave behind because of the hassle. The hard weights work fine. Some rigs work better if you wrap the lead in an old T-shirt before using.