How many weights do you use?

[AlexK100]

I use:
0lbs with SS BP, 5mm one peace, 100cuft steel tank
3 lbs with SS BP, 5mm, 72 cuft steel,
Used 12-15 with Jacket style BC before and as much as 21 lbs when was doing my OW.

 

[Tavi]

At home (Great Lakes),
0lbs with Drysuit, Steel 104, Heavy BP (9lbs) and Heavy STA (5lbs)
0lbs with Drysuit, Double E-8 130's, Aluminum BP

Springtime in Florida,
3lbs with 5/3 wetsuit, Aluminum BP, and Steel 104

Fall in the Bahamas,
1lb (ankle weight on tank valve) with 3/2 wetsuit, Heavy BP, Aluminum 80

In case you didn't figure it out...... I don't like weight belts

 

[nyresq]

I'm impressed, assuming you neutral at 10 feet with nearly empty tanks your at least 20lbs negative with full tanks at the begining.
With no ditchable weight how would you deal with some type of accident that damages your suit and your BC? If your able to swim up a rig thats at least 20lbs negative from 100 or 150 feet, you have me impressed.

I keep 16 pounds on a belt when using E7-100's just for the O-crap factor. If I get sliced on a wreck that clobbers my suit and bc while I have full tanks, I can still ditch 4 pounds at a time to get my a$$ out of trouble.

 

[Tavi]

I'm impressed, assuming you neutral at 10 feet with nearly empty tanks your at least 20lbs negative with full tanks at the begining.
With no ditchable weight how would you deal with some type of accident that damages your suit and your BC? If your able to swim up a rig thats at least 20lbs negative from 100 or 150 feet, you have me impressed.

I keep 16 pounds on a belt when using E7-100's just for the O-crap factor. If I get sliced on a wreck that clobbers my suit and bc while I have full tanks, I can still ditch 4 pounds at a time to get my a$$ out of trouble.

Did you mis-read my post?? I never said I could swim it up. I'd say most divers can't swim those up. There isn't any more weight to move to a belt, (aluminum BP).
I am not diving unsafely, or without redundancy. I have my wing, then I have
the drysuit for redundancy, then in worst case, I have a lift bag. Then of course there is still my Buddy.
If you still need 16 lbs with double e-7's you must be a very big guy!!
Or are you suggesting that I carry weight that I don't need just so I have something to dump!!??

Merry Christmas nyresq, Did you sarcasticaly pick apart anyone elses posts last night??

 

[nyresq]

Yes I'm a big guy, 6'2" and about 240lbs, but aside from that,

I was wondering why you use a 9lb plate and a 5lbs STA with no ditchable weight. I would think if you went with an aluminum plate (which you said you also use) and a standard STA, you could put about 8 pounds on a belt, or in ditchable pockets. at least you would have a chance of being able to move without extra bouyancy.
My point being, I don't thin you should carry EXTRA weight to dump, but I think its a little foolish to remove all options by bolting on weight because you don't like a belt. There are several other options besides being permantly affixed.

 

[GDI]

:doctor: 3mm suit salt water total weight = 0 lbs
drysuit cave total weight = 0 lbs (obvious reason with dbl tanks)
6mm double farmer john w/jacket salt water Al 80, total weight =12 lbs
Find a pool or shallow water lake
Work with your full equipment on keep your breathing steady, removing all your weight with the tank at about 500- 700 psi. Add weight in 2lb increments until you feel you can sink comfortably and maintain neutral. If you do this fresh water then add about an additional 4-6 lbs for salt water. Get away from that 10% body weight rule.

 

[Tavi]

I was wondering why you use a 9lb plate and a 5lbs STA with no ditchable weight. I would think if you went with an aluminum plate (which you said you also use) and a standard STA, you could put about 8 pounds on a belt, or in ditchable pockets. at least you would have a chance of being able to move without extra bouyancy.
My point being, I don't thin you should carry EXTRA weight to dump, but I think its a little foolish to remove all options by bolting on weight because you don't like a belt. There are several other options besides being permantly affixed.

I have thought about putting some on a belt but only for open water rec dives. My trim is better without a belt, I also look at the belt as a potential failure point, I wouldn't want to loose it in an overhead environment, whether it be a hard overhead or a deco obligation. Between the wing, the drysuit, the liftbag, and my buddy, I will get up.
I have seen equipment lists for some tech instructors that say: no weight belts, no exeptions.Use channel weights or V-weights.
When I got my first BC, a TPII, I tried the ditchable pockets. I liked a belt better than I liked them. I've been moving toward tech and in some environments I'm better off without a weightbelt.

I didn't think you were suggesting I carry extra weight, and I'll apologize for my sarcasm.



Happy Holidays to all!
and best wishes for a safe and prosperous New Year!

 

[rakjar]

I am 210 lbs and dive with a 7mm Farmer John. I use 30 lbs of weight when I dive here in the Northwest. Cold water, some what salty. My question is, I am now buying a dry suit - what will my weight be with that?

 

[Ari]

Many divers are using too much weight as it is. Nevertheless, different divers, using different equipment and tanks will use different weight.

In any case 4# looks More reasonable to me than 20#.

Ari