hmmm...integrated weights and weight belt?

[Jon-boi]

Integrated weight systems in BC hold a reasonable amount of weight but not enough for me. I need about 34-36lbs).

I'm going to put most of the weight in the BC pockets (2 x 10lbs main pockets and perhaps a couple of pounds in the trim as appropriate) and then the reminder on a weight belt - is that fairly normal? I'd expect as I become more experienced that I can drop some of the weight of the belt.....or is this plan asking for trouble...?

 

[SteveAD]

get a zeagle.
they hold enough weight.

 

[Jcsgt]

I would think that having too much bulk in the BC pockets could interfere with the bladder.

 

[runamonk]

That's perfectly normal and until recently that's exactly how I did mine and didn't have any functional issues with. I recently opted to remove the cumberbun from my bc and use my nylon belt from my belt in it's place.

So long as you have a majority of your weight as ditchable I think most people will agree you're going to be fine.

 

[AlexMDiver]

I would always split weight up into ditcheable weight and add some non-ditcheable weight if you need to. Weight pockets on your tank band, on your ankles if you are diving dry or other speacially designed weight and trim systems are common.

36 pounds sounds a lot to me, are you diving dry? What suit are you wearing.
The weight should only serve to sink your suit and tank (if alu) and one's blubber.
At depth, the suit compresses and loses boyancy. Therefore too much non-ditcheable weight can lead to uncontrolled descents. Make sure your boyancy compensator can lift all the weight you attach if your suit loses all boyancy (i.e. at depth).

Many new divers are terribly overweighted. This causes uncontrolled desents at depth, as boyancy is lost by the suit and not added to the BC or uncontrolled ascents if weight belts are lost.

A diver should be near neutral at the surface with an empty tank (as tanks get slightly more boyant as they empty) and you should be able to sink with exhaling. If you have a lot of air in your BC at the end of your dive at the 5m safety stop, then you are well heavy.

It is convenient for newer divers to overweight and instructors often give more weight, because new divers have fuller lungs at the surface (due to excitement) and have problems going down. Undewater they are often unable to fully remove all air from the BC (which can be tricky with some rental gear). Instead the instructor should take the time with the student and trim properly.

Sorry if this all does not apply to you, but improper weighting it a serious issue in diving.

I would also not rely fully/only on integrated weight pockets. There are so many different systems out there, many lose weight on dives without even touching the release mechanism, and in an emergency situation, the buddy often does not know how to ditch them. I would always have some weight on a weight belt, especially when diving with a lot of weight. A BC with 30 pounds of weight integrated and rigged up to the tank and reg is also v. heavy to lift.
Happy diving!
A.

 

[Brewone0to]

I have until recently done this on all but my first few dives.
Don't need to anymore as I now have sidemounted double hp 100's

But, when I was doing this(with about 24-28 # 2m shorty)
Befor the flaming starts,
Im not too awfully overweighted that way,
as 18-20 # leaves me fighting to stay down during safety stops.This occurs even if I exhale as deeply as I can.

(And no,I'm not a nubie or a hoover.)
My Sac rates are fine,& use far less air than most on typical dives.
(once pulled off a 43min @136' on an Al80 2850/300
followed later that day by 56min @ 102' Al80 2900/500
both in 70 deg water)


I would divide my weight up so that
when I removed my gear under water,
I would be neutral and my pack
was carrying the neg weight(5-10#'s)

This may seem funny to most but,
If you have to swim out of your gear
to get free from snare or snag.

You might want not to go up while your gear goes down,
Unless you have real good grip on your reg
and the mouthpiece stays attached.

This also divides your ditch weight,
keeping uncontrolled accents to a minimum.
*******************************************
ALWAYS be sure to let anyone you dive with know of you abnormal weighting techniques(very important)
*******************************************
Also, I kept 2- 5# weights in my weight pockets
so I could purge weights off the top of my pockets
via the zippered access.

Remember, weight is cheap , and can always be dumped
(for that matter you should consider all your gear as expendable when givin the choice of "it or you"

Brian

 

[Buoyant1]

I've been using a steel 120 lately, and I've been able to knock 10 pounds off...keeps the excess lead out of the pockets...

 

[Floridawannabe]

I second the Zeagle. I used to wear 36 Pounds with a 7M suit. Now I am down to 28 Pounds.

 

[Jon-boi]

Hi all and thanks for the replies. I think I fall in the category of being overweighted and I am expecting that I do not need so much. I'm not going to load the BC too heavily but it will be good to remove some of the weight off the belt.

As I dive with a 10mm Oceanic semi-dry I'm quite buoyant at the surface but I've also noticed that I tend to move a bit during a descent so I suspect that that I've been keeping myself up, as I am beginning to relax more I think again the amount of weight I need will go down.

Fingers crossed that the weather stays good in the next few days and I should get out to blow some bubbles and I can spend a little time getting better weighting. I'm also going to do the PADI PPB to help get weighting and trim sorted.

 

[spectrum]

If that's the weight you need then moving a good amount to a belt will save you from having an overly heavy BC to deal with. Also my having the weight on your person you can get out of your rig underwater if the need arises such as in an entanglement. Keeping the BC light will probably make it more comfortable and let the pockets function best.

I have moved all of my weight to belt/trim over time.

Pete