BP/W with weightbelt?

[stablgr]

I'm about to order my first BP/W in the next few days after a lot of research, hard thinking, some trial and error, and having spent many years in either a horse collar or traditional style BC (AP Valves Buddy Commando usually). I've always worn a traditional weight belt and would prefer to continue to do so. It's just something I'm very comfortable and familiar with.

However I have one nagging question. How do you use both and still allow quick and easy ditching of the weightbelt as well as the ability to remove the BP/W, when the BP/W has a crotch strap. It seems to me like the two setups are almost mutually exclusive.

 

[divengolf]

Run the crotch strap uinder the weight belt and don't leave a long trailer at the crotch strap snap or buckle. My first concern is being able to dump weight in a hurry. If I'm removing my BC, it's usually not an emerg.

Do it all the time. Never had any problem.

 

[rongoodman]

Use an weight belt with pockets, such as the one by XS Scuba, or just put a couple of their pockets on the waist belt of the BP/W. You also then have the option of dumping only part or all of the weight.

 

[stablgr]

Thanks Divengolf. Thats what I was thinking of but thought I must be missing something obvious.

I thought about weight pockets but much prefer the simplicity of a single buckle release for all my ditchable weight.

 

[Peter_C]

To many dumping weights is a last ditch effort and should only be done at the surface. Your BUDDY should be able to assist in any challenges that come up. With that said, weight belt under the crotch strap to keep it in place where it belongs. Loosing a weight belt at depth is far more dangerous than not being able to dump weight at most any time. As suggested above the weight pockets that open will allow small amounts of weight to be dumped. Also having the correct weight will improve buoyancy control and allow a person to swim their rig up from depth in case of a wing failure. Once at the surface everything can be dumped if needed. With the weight belt under the crotch strap it will also allow removal of the BP/W underwater without, the now separated person, corking to the surface.

 

[RS]

What Peter C says.

You need to clear the weight belt before dropping. I've played around with this and found the WB can get tangled around the crotch strap d-ring if you just undo the quick releases and let go.

The crotch strap is a nice backup for me. I'm playing around with trim and am finding I push the weight belt down over my butt a little. If I forget to re-adjust the weightbelt when I go vertical, the crotch strap will stop it from going too far.

 

[mikerault]

Get the DUI weight harness that has dumpable weights, I use it with my BP/W and love it. You need to dump, just jerk the handles, pow, it's gone.

Mike

 

[Hank658]

I second what Mike said. I wear a DUI harness with my BP/W and have never had an issue. It is also, in my opinion, more comfortable to have my shoulders take some of the weight. Also, if you switch tanks between dives, such as going from a 120 to a 100 it makes it a lot easier to open a pocket and add or subtract weight as opposed to threading on a belt.

Hope this helps.

Hank
PADI AI
EFRI

 

[nereas]

I'm about to order my first BP/W in the next few days after a lot of research, hard thinking, some trial and error, and having spent many years in either a horse collar or traditional style BC (AP Valves Buddy Commando usually). I've always worn a traditional weight belt and would prefer to continue to do so. It's just something I'm very comfortable and familiar with.

However I have one nagging question. How do you use both and still allow quick and easy ditching of the weightbelt as well as the ability to remove the BP/W, when the BP/W has a crotch strap. It seems to me like the two setups are almost mutually exclusive.

Excellent questions!

Whoever designed the crotch strap was trying to keep his tanks pulled down lower than they were riding on his back. They came out in production long before anyone invented a DPV, as far as I can tell. For this purpose, they are a hazard, actually, and they prevent the quick ditching of a weight belt, indeed, as you have surmised on your own. Excellent analysis on your part.

Subsequently, divers began to put D-rings onto the front of their crotch straps, making them an excellent contact point for a DPV tow cord. This works extremely nicely, and is much better than being towed by your DPV with your hands.

If you do not utilize a DPV with a tow cord, you simply do not need a crotch strap.

If you do utilize a DPV with a tow cord, you do indeed need a crotch strap.

You may simply attach your crotch strap to your weight belt, if you please, and this would allow you to quickly ditch the belt, if needed. This is what I do, however I suspect that I am the only diver on this Earth who does so. Join the crowd, if you like.

 

[nereas]

I second what Mike said. I wear a DUI harness with my BP/W and have never had an issue. It is also, in my opinion, more comfortable to have my shoulders take some of the weight. Also, if you switch tanks between dives, such as going from a 120 to a 100 it makes it a lot easier to open a pocket and add or subtract weight as opposed to threading on a belt.

Hope this helps.

Hank
PADI AI
EFRI

If there is that big of a difference, which I suspect there is not, then I would however recommend re-threading the belt.