Integrated weights

[briank92587]

I have a Seaquest Pro QD+ BCD which uses velcro to hold in the weights. On a dive one of my weight pouches fell out-luckily I did not rocket to the surface. I put the pouch back in and everything was ok. The velcro is good and I must not have put the pouch in all the way or?, but I;m curious if someone has a simple way to secure these pouches and still be able to release them quickly if needed.

 

[DementialFaith]

eh...... i have a pro qd w/ velcro too and things like this never happened to me, maybe u should try tucking them all the way in.
Right now i wanna change the velcro to seaquest's new surelock system...... are there any ways i can do that?

 

[gfisher4792]

My integrated weights are velcro secured, with no problems like you described. My only thoughts on the matter are make sure that the pockets are all the way in and the entire velcro strap is secure, and when inspecting the BCD, take a toothbrush and scrub the velcro, to clean out any sand and grit that will interfere.

 

[briank92587]

Thanks for the replies. I certainly think I put the weight pockets in all the way and try to make sure the velcro is very secure. I asked the question originally because other people have had the same problem.

Seaquest states that the surelock system can not be added to existing BCD's and they will not sell the buckle system.

 

[jviehe]

I actually had that problem recently with my Dacor nautica BC. I didnt even realize I had dropped the pocket till someone handed it back to me later

Now I have actually reduced my weight to the point where I dont need my pockets, and I only put weight in the non droppable back pockets. I have ceased to see a reason where I would need to drop weight.

 

[TCooperWFI]

Take a toothbrush and scrub the velcro, to clean out any sand and grit that will interfere.

I have had issues when too much sand interfered with the velcro connection, it always pays to be clean.....

 

[KrisB]

I actually had that problem recently with my Dacor nautica BC. I didnt even realize I had dropped the pocket till someone handed it back to me later

Now I have actually reduced my weight to the point where I dont need my pockets, and I only put weight in the non droppable back pockets. I have ceased to see a reason where I would need to drop weight.

I trust that at least one person has told you this is a bad thing in case of emergency... not having ditchable weight could mean you don't go up when you need to.

 

[iflyprops]

The only time that I have seen this kind of thing is when I saw I guy get in the water wit the pouch halfway out...he wouldn't listen when I told him. during the surface interval he was asking if anyone had seen his weights....don't know what happened on the dive though.

 

[cortez]

I've been around a few people that this has happened to. As you probably know this is the reason some manufacturers, ie Scubapro, Sherwood, etc, have switched to quick release buckles on weight pockets.

The times I've heard about it and seen this occur have more likely been caused by dirt and debris in the hook and loop of the velcro than by worn out velcro patches.

Just try to keep it clean. It really helps to scrape the velcro with a stick when it's dry.

 

[Night Diver]

Brian K

I had exactly this problem with my Pro QD. It happened more often as the velcro "aged" and finally became downright dangerous. I just started using a weightbelt again and I gotta say those integrated pockets on the BC make nice storage pouches to hold a backup light or things I picked up on a dive, they're way more accessible than the zipper pockets.

IMO the Seaquest velcro system is a piece of dangerous junk. Best case you will eventually lose your weights and retention pockets. I didn't even notice mine dropping out a couple of times and had to go back and find them. I hate to imagine coming up from 80-90 feet and realizing the loss halfway up. I switched to a BP and wings but when I do use the BC (I kind of like it better for bigger-surf entries) I don't even consider using the integrated weights anymore.

Seaquest should offer some kind of upgrade allowance. It was a bad design.