Equipment Removal with Intergrated Weights

[tobad78]

Hi All

Just a quick introduction. I just recently became cert. OW with SSI in the Middle of May.

I had a bad expirence while taking my equipment off. I became very off balance (lake rock bottom) and I shot up (a couple f feet) very quickly after removing my BC which was weight intergrated. My reg. was ripped out and with help of the instructor I got everything back on then completed the task.


In pratice we did this with weight belts and I was fine but I bought my own weight intergrated BC for the OW. Anyways to the question, How can you take you equipment off to fix if the weight is in them?

The instructor just said to give it more practicve in the pool. Yeah I know this is a good idea but I don't see how someone could remove the weight from them without shooting up?

ANy tips?

Brian

 

[The Kraken]

I'm not an instructor, but I think the whole premise behind performing this "skill" in training is to assess if the student is capable of handling a somewhat difficult task without becoming unduly stressed.

The instances or circumstances in which you would have to remove your complete rig while recreational diving are very rare.

If you remove your weight intergrated B/C you ARE going to become positively buoyant. A physical fact. Controling the resulting actions can be problematic.

 

[Land Locked]

If your only having to this for the required skills portion of your
OW training, drop the weight pockets and use a weight belt for
the training. Once your certified you can go back to the WI system.
Or if your crazy like me,
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=100208

 

[bgi]

Welcome to the silliness of weight-integrated BCs.

I'm not saying that weight-integrated BCs are bad, evil, useless, or otherwise undesirable. But this aspect of them is quite silly.

I was fortunate enough to encounter this in the pool while practicing skills with my new weight-integrated BC. I may go back to a weight belt or harness.

 

[Paco]

You may also consider a combination. Split the weight between the belt and bc. It should make the belt more comforatable. Also, this skill can be done with the bc only, but make sure you keep the bc as close to your torso as you can. With practice you'll be able to do it. For now, Land Locked's advice is probably the best.

 

[pete340]

How can you take you equipment off to fix if the weight is in them?

The same way you do it with a weight belt: keep it on your lap.

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

When swinging the BC around to the front stay under the BCD. When it gets around to the front place it on the one knee that isn't on the ground. That will keep you rooted to the bottom. I do this all the time without coming up an inch.

 

[moosepks]

When we did these skills in class we just had to keep the bc close to your body when you remove it, that way you won't float away.

 

[mossym]

take it off iwth it above you, and then link your arms through the holes, should be pretty solid..

 

[elliptikal]

I'm not at all very experienced, in fact I was just certified back in early May but I love the weight integration system so far and haven't had these issues at all. I own a SeaQuest Pro QD and my girlfriend has the Diva LX, we personally love not wearing a weight belt. Good luck with your diving and hope it works out for you.