Best way to add a few pounds when BCD is maxed out?

[Queequeg]

Well...there are two options really. Weight pockets that affix to the cam bands. Pretty easy, and cheap way to solve this problem.

But my suggestion would be to go with a BP/W. Since you are dry suit diving..you are already headed in that direction where a BP/W would benefit you. Just the back plate alone would give you 5-6lbs, and an added benefit is that you can configure it to your diving as your style changes. Adding steal tanks, ditchable weight pockets. etc ; they are a pretty versatile system.

 

[Thalassamania]

While you think that a weight integrated BC works for you, let me assure you that if you are maxed out on weight in the pockets and diving a dry suit the use of a weight integrated BC in the kelp poses significant safety concerns. I rather doubt if you could take your rig off and untangle it from the kelp without becoming separated from it as it heads to the bottom and you rocket to the surface. Get a weight belt or a harness, weight integrated BCs are for warm water diving ... if that.

 

[Brewski]

I had the same problem when I switched to a dry suit. One option you can try is to thread bullet weights onto the straps on our BCD. I wouldn't recommend clip weights, more entanglement issues as you've mentioned above. Does your BCD have cargo pockets that close securely? you may be able to place some weight in there. There are tank weight configurations sold.
How did I solve the issue? I traded the BCD for a 6 lb. steel backplate, then added steel tanks. now my additional weight needed is as little as 20 lb (I use a belt but you can use integrated pockets)

 

[Thalassamania]

I had the same problem when I switched to a dry suit. One option you can try is to thread bullet weights onto the straps on our BCD. I wouldn't recommend clip weights, more entanglement issues as you've mentioned above. Does your BCD have cargo pockets that close securely? you may be able to place some weight in there. There are tank weight configurations sold.
How did I solve the issue? I traded the BCD for a 6 lb. steel backplate, then added steel tanks. now my additional weight needed is as little as 20 lb (I use a belt but you can use integrated pockets)

Good move.

 

[Ben_ca]

I appreciate the replies, but just to keep things on course let me say that using a weight integrated BC works well for me and I don't plan to switch to using a weight belt for all my weight. I am hoping this additional weight is a short term issue. As mentioned in my original post, I know that a weight belt is an option for the additional weight, but I am looking for alternative solutions.

If your BC is maxed out I would change BC's maybe to a BP&W...

Big, stuffed integrated wt pockets are PIA to manage.... specially when beach diving. and with a large amount in there you will be straining the releases... even more worrysome is the chance of loosing a pouch. Have you ever tried to replace one of those things at depth? or maybe even on the beach? I had a friend who had one fall out and the dive was pretty much aborted because he couldn't put the darned thing back in.

 

[Peter Guy]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the DUI Weight and Trim setup which could easily be used to take weight OFF the BCD and put into the W & T. It also works well with other types of buoyancy compensators (read BP/W) and has a significant advantage over a weight belt. (I can't stand weightbelts as I have no waist.)

OP -- IF your BCD is maxed out, how is your trim? With so much weight around your midsection, or perhaps a bit lower, do you find yourself a bit feet low?

 

[Paco II]

I've only done two dives with the new setup, both as part of my drysuit cert. I had no issues with trim, but again, only two dives so far.

I appreciate all the replies. Regarding BP/W, i had a feeling there would be a few suggestions to go that route. It's something to consider, but not quite yet. At the moment I am really looking for what I hope to be a solution to a short term problem. My hope is that after a few dives with the new suit, I'll be able to get my weight down to what my BC maxes out at.

...OP -- IF your BCD is maxed out, how is your trim? With so much weight around your midsection, or perhaps a bit lower, do you find yourself a bit feet low?

 

[c5diver]

what bc do you use

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Maxing out a BC is never a good option. What usually results is that at some point a pocket may come loose and fall out, you may have to remove one for some reason, etc and if you drop it that loss may cause you to ascend in an uncontrolled manner. I never put all my weights in one system. too much risk. Instead it gets divided up between the plate or bc and a belt.

That way if for some reason I'd need to drop something it is never more than what would still allow me to make a reasonably controlled ascent. When diving my old jacket bc with a drysuit I needed 26 lbs. I put 8 (4 and 4) in the rear trim pockets, 10 (5 and 5) in the bc pockets, and 8 on my weight belt ( pocket belt with 4 seperate pockets-2lbs in each). I then had the option to drop 2, 4, or 5lbs at a time.

If for example I needed to affect the rescue of an overweighted diver I could drop 4 lbs and still safely bring us both up without having to ditch their weights til we surfaced. Or if my bladder were to fail or suit flood I could drop 2-4 and be positive enough while still maintaining control. I sold my integrated bc in favor of a BPW and the other bc I have for the pool is integrated but I prefer a belt. I also like that my back is getting saved by not having to lift an unnecessary amount of weight.

Integrated bcs are nice and can be convenient. But they need to be used with some common sense as well. Many are not.

 

[Paco II]

You've convinced me that a weight belt is the way to go to spread the weight around. Thanks for all the replies!