Ditchable weight options with a BP/W

[TSandM]

If the problem is that a weight belt won't stay up because you don't have the physical structure to support it, more buckles aren't going to add anything. (And if the problem is buckles, I have to say that the free diver weight belt with the tongued buckle that Dumpster Diver talked me into using ROCKS.)

Weight pouches on the harness work, but they're a lot bulkier than shaped hard weights on a belt. If you get them, make sure you get the kind that come with D-rings on the outside, because they use up enough real estate on the waist belt that you really can't get the left hip d-ring anywhere near where it ought to be when you have the pouches there.

 

[asha]

I like the DUI harness/ BP/W combination, especially for boat diving. My only complaint is that it puts *all* my weight on my shoulders (tank, plate, ditchable weight) and it's a bit unpleasant for the walk to/from shore diving. I haven't decided yet, but I might go back to a standard weight belt for shore diving.

 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

If you do weight pouches on the BP harness you also need to consider the total buoyancy of the rig and keeping balanced. Being from Maine, I assume you are diving cold water. The wing may not be able to float the rig on the surface should you need to don/doff on the surface. You need to verify the buoyancy of the wing compared to the lead+BP+full steel tank you may use. Under water should you need to doff the right due to entanglement issues if will be very difficult to hand onto the rig as your dry suit try's to rocket you to the surface.

 

[r4e]

I normally dive 2x12L steel doubles, an aluminium stage tank, thin steel bp and wing plus Weezle and DUI drysuit. I have no lead whatsover (no V weight and nothing on the waist). My previous instructor suggested I should change to an aluminium bp. The only thing I could ditch in an emergency is my slightly negative camera, main lamp and canister and backup lamps. These might make a difference of couple kg in buoyancy. Of course I could still ditch my Jetfins, but then I might end feet up in a drysuit. Not good.

 

[TSandM]

If you are diving doubles and a stage, you probably have made a reasonable decision that ditchable weight is not a big issue any more.

 

[Teller]

I had a DUI harness and hated it. Not saying anything bad about the harness itself but it added so much bulk and clutter to the rig I only used it a few times and ended up giving it away. You can use a steel cylinder if your not already and you can add weight to the cam bands as well. I had a TLS350 and I know the weight belt can slip so I try to get it extra tight and I use two buckles. I also put the weight belt on first and then put the crotch strap over it. Doing so will mean youll have to either drop the croth strap to ditch your weight belt or cut it free. To me its just something I am willing to risk as I cant afford to loose my weight with a deco obligation ahead of me. Just depends on how you look at it I guess. Good luck.

I went with a BP/W to reduce bulk and clutter caused by my BC. I due not want to re intruduce the same by adding a weight harness, if that is what its going to do. You mentioned using two buckles, how does that work? A right hand and a left hand release? Both buckles on the harness with just a piece of webbing in between? One on either side of the crotch strap?

I also thought about ditchable weight pockets on the harness belt but not sure how much clutter that will add and they are about the same price as a harness.

I just put two buckles on the same belt. Both are right hand. Its just in case one breaks or slips i dont loose my weight. This will not help you if your belt is slipping off though.

 

[tech3324]

FYI There's a couple of DUI weight harnesses in the SB classifieds right now.

 

[gcarter]

I had a DUI harness and hated it. Not saying anything bad about the harness itself but it added so much bulk and clutter to the rig I only used it a few times and ended up giving it away. You can use a steel cylinder if your not already and you can add weight to the cam bands as well. I had a TLS350 and I know the weight belt can slip so I try to get it extra tight and I use two buckles. I also put the weight belt on first and then put the crotch strap over it. Doing so will mean youll have to either drop the croth strap to ditch your weight belt or cut it free. To me its just something I am willing to risk as I cant afford to loose my weight with a deco obligation ahead of me. Just depends on how you look at it I guess. Good luck.

I was wondering about weight belts and crotch straps. Does the belt normally go on top of the strap?

 

[Wayne at DiveSeekers]

If you are going to use a weight-belt because you want the ditch-able weight, I would take at least 10lbs off the weight-belt and put that in Trim Weight Pockets on your lower cam strap. This approach may make it a little easier to manage the weight-belt. Although I am not a fan of taking up harness space the Halcyon Integrated Weight Pockets are pretty compact.

 

[ScottZeagle]

We make a couple of integrated weight systems for Zeagle BPs. You will probably have to drill a few holes in a non-Zeagle plate to make them work...

Ripcord Weight System - Backplate Accessories - BC Accessories - Zeagle Dive Systems

Zip Touch Weight System - Backplate Accessories - BC Accessories - Zeagle Dive Systems

Thanks,

Scott