BP/Wings any recommendations

[cool_hardware52]

I use a 6 lb steel backplate and an OMS steel 96 and still unfortunately require approximately 18-20 lbs of lead depending on which underwear combination I'm wearing under my drysuit -- the harness is magic -- for me. I hated having a heavy weight belt, even my soft one. heavy on hips never tight enough at depth.

The DUI weight harnesses I've seen look like a good solution, if you need a lot of weight. Personally I use an Xs Scuba pouch belt with about 8 lbs. This is not a big deal comfort wise, the rest is in my plate and or tanks. I use a belt because it puts the weight where I need it for trim.

Dumb question -- if all your weight is taken up in your backplate how do you dump weight in an emergency? Or am I missing something obvious?

It's not unusual for some to dive without ditchable ballast. Often with doubles all the required mass is in the Plate and or V weight. What emergency do you plan to solve by ditching?



ernie[/QUOTE]

 

[Ernesto]

Actually I was more asking about ditching on the surface if you had to hang out for a while. You know the old "get positive" thing. It's probably more of a concern for us cold water folk with serious lead. I don't think I'd want to be in the water with all my weight non-ditchable -- I couldn't climb out!

I have thought about a heavier set-up -- for a while I was using a weighted STA, but with the combo of steel tank, pony bottle, steel backplate and heavy STA, I couldn't lift the friggin' thing to put it on!

The present combo spreads the weight out, in terms of getting suited up, so it's manageable for me and works in terms of my in water trim as well.

ernie

 

[teknitroxdiver]

Ah...well, (again, in my case, YMMV), I am somewhat negative even with my 3mil, so...*shrug*.

 

[cool_hardware52]

Actually I was more asking about ditching on the surface if you had to hang out for a while. You know the old "get positive" thing. It's probably more of a concern for us cold water folk with serious lead. I don't think I'd want to be in the water with all my weight non-ditchable -- I couldn't climb out!

You should be able to get pretty postive with either your wing or your DS, or both.

I have thought about a heavier set-up -- for a while I was using a weighted STA, but with the combo of steel tank, pony bottle, steel backplate and heavy STA, I couldn't lift the friggin' thing to put it on!

Try a set of doubles, friggin' takes on a whole new meaning.......Sit down while gearing up, right on the deck if there is no bench, roll onto hands and knees, stand up.

The present combo spreads the weight out, in terms of getting suited up, so it's manageable for me and works in terms of my in water trim as well.

The harnesses look like a good solution.

Tobin

 

[Ernesto]

There seem to be a number of situations where ditching on the surface is suggested.

I did my training with PADI and I know they listed several.

Whatever works for ya. It always seemd to me that all that training involving remembering to put your weight belt on with a right hand release "in case of emergency" was probably predicated on the possibility of situation(s) where some form of getting positively bouyant was required.

ernie

 

[teknitroxdiver]

There seem to be a number of situations where ditching on the surface is suggested.

I did my training with PADI and I know they listed several.

Whatever works for ya. It always seemd to me that all that training involving remembering to put your weight belt on with a right hand release "in case of emergency" was probably predicated on the possibility of situation(s) where some form of getting positively bouyant was required.

ernie

IMO, PADI is way to heavy on preaching how good a CESA and other forms of emergency ascents are. In most cases (all I can think of), rocketing to the surface should NOT be considered an acceptable solution.

 

[Ernesto]

You should be able to get pretty postive with either your wing or your DS, or both.


Try a set of doubles, friggin' takes on a whole new meaning.......Sit down while gearing up, right on the deck if there is no bench, roll onto hands and knees, stand up.



The harnesses look like a good solution.

Tobin

I can get pretty positve with either the BCD or drysuit. I've never never had to ditch. I have had a catastrophic drysuit failure at 100 ft; and my BCD kept me afloat most comfortably. To be honest in cold water with a drysuit and BCD staying afloat is pretty much easy -- it would take a drysuit failure coupled with a BCD failure to put me in trouble and then I figure they'd be looking for the plane crash survivors and rescue me too!

I don't think I could mange the doubles. I keep seeing friends of mine struggling with the weight -- it's not for me. I like a dive site with a nice picnic table -- just the right height to set-up my tank/pony and slip into it. I do remember slipping on an entry in about 6 inches of water and looking like a turtle, on my back trying to get back up finally crawling into deeper water to take the weight off. Must be time for a tropical dive.

Try the harness -- you'll never go back to a belt.

ernie

 

[Ernesto]

IMO, PADI is way to heavy on preaching how good a CESA and other forms of emergency ascents are. In most cases (all I can think of), rocketing to the surface should NOT be considered an acceptable solution.

Actually I never suggested ditching all your weight at depth and rocketing to the surface. My questions/thoughts were more aimed at ditching on the surface; but ditching at depth is discussed in PADI courses; in fact one question on the present OW exam asks you to prioritize 5 possible courses of action in an out of fair emergency -- ditching is there, if I remember correctly -- just last.

But for fun with a wt. harness you can open the pocket and remove one piece at a time.

ernie

 

[cesar]

I have the Eclipse 30lbs with SS backplate, and its awsome. Some will say that dive-rite is really good, and it is ok, but Halcyon is the best. The quality between the two can not be compared. With this setup and a Steel 80 I use no weight at all.

 

[mossym]

I have the Eclipse 30lbs with SS backplate, and its awsome. Some will say that dive-rite is really good, and it is ok, but Halcyon is the best. The quality between the two can not be compared. With this setup and a Steel 80 I use no weight at all.

i'm not saying you're wrong, but there a re quite a few "H" fanboys around. Tell us how the halcyon quality is better than the dive rite? you need to back up a claim like that...

the halcyon stuff is good, but i disagree it's better than the dive rite, they both have thier advantages, but are very comparable.