Integrated weights or weight belt?

[almitywife]

I wont go back to a weight belt - intergrated are great!

im a zeagle fan, got the zeagle tech, but currently investigating a BWP

goodluck

 

[carldarl]

After six (6) back surgeries, 2 fusions (L2-S1) I have used a belt, integrated and a DUI Classic harness. I will NEVER use a belt again. I'll quit diving first. All my weight in my BC makes it a little ungainly. All in the harness and I don't even feel it is there at all. This spring I am going to try splitting it for trim purposes but I whole heartedly recommend the DUI Classic Harness.

See if your LDS will let you try one. I think you'll be surprised.Try the harness

 

[RoyN]

My scubapro Knighthawk is perfect especially I only use 4 5lbs of lead and may have to use less in the future.

 

[EvaL]

Hi. I second the suggestions for using a steel tank and putting on weightbelt in the water. Before purchasing a new weight-integrated BC, I would try distributing the weights first - try putting on weights to other parts of your body [like ankle weights (1.5 lbs each for Sea Pearl), clip-on weights to BCD D-rings (2 lbs each), weight pouches on both sides of tank strap (up to 5 lbs each in XS Scuba pouch) etc], hopefully this is sufficient to reduce the number of weights on your weight belt and make it easier to wear. But be aware some of these weights are not dumpable so you should ensure you have enough ditchable weight to make you buoyant in an emergancy.
I have back-inflated BCD with only 16lbs (max) of integrated weights, which is fine for warm water, but I strap on another 8lbs on a weight belt for coldwater diving when I wear double layer 7mm wetsuit.
Good luck and dive safely.

 

[Cmdrjay1]

Get some chiropractic care. Then wear whatever you want

 

[landlockeddiver]

Thanks everybody for all the replies! I'm a relative newbie to diving and don't know about all the options available. I will go to my LDS and get some help with this. The last time I went diving I came home in misery (My chiro is my best friend but even he couldn't help me! Tried physical therapy, finally had an epidural and found relief) and doubted I'd ever go diving again but this gives me hope. Thanks again!

 

[String]

I'd say weight belt or a weight harness.
I would NEVER recommend integrated weights to anyone.

 

[JohnnyH]

First of all - don't bad backs suck? I had back surgery on my L5-S1 a few years ago...

One thing to keep in mind is your ability for you to stay with your BC if ever the two of you become separated. For instance, if for whatever reason your tank slips out of your BC during a dive and you have to take it off to correct the problem. If you are diving in a 7mm wetsuit and your weight is fully integrated into your BC, you are faced with a real challenge. If, instead, you wear some led on a belt and some in your BC, things are a lot better. Personally I like to keep all the weight out of the BC (I dive with a harness and a backplate, but even when I had a Zeagle Tech I put my weight on a belt)

For cold water diving, I dive with the DUI Classic harness (with 400g undergarments, a DUI TLS suit, twin steel 110s, an AL 40 deco and an aluminium backplate I use 12lbs).

For warm water diving I only need 6lbs with a shortie and an AL 80, so I don't bother with the harness.

Definitely recommend the harness. It shifts the weight strain from the hips (and back) to the shoulders.

The other thing I would recommend is that you verify that you need as much lead as you think. I've worked with folks via my job who come in extremely over-weighted but had always dove that way and never really thought about it. It's amazing what proper breathing and finding your true neutral point can do to shed pounds off the waist...

Anyway - hope this helps.

PS - though my back will always be a problem, after the surgery (and many month recovery) I am doing remarkably well, so there's hope...

 

[tstormdiver]

I agree with Spectrum. The weight harness is great! I don't have a figure that handles weight belts very well, so I went with a weight integrated BC, When I got my dry suit, I need more weight than the BC is designed to handle. Since I have had weight belts try to wrap around my ankles (no fun), I didn't want to go back to the belts. The harness is wonderfull & make packing that much lead (32#'s) around so uch easier.

 

[muddiver]

I have the same problem you do. I moved some of my weight to my ankles when I dive dry and I use a Dive Right intigrated BC. DM's on resort boats hate me and my rig, but it ballances out the weight for me and my back. I also carry a pony bottle when I dive local and that allows me to remove a few pounds from my lead.