ScubaSteve2000
Contributor
I dive with an older Sherwood Outback BC with the velcro type weight pouches. Well, one fell out last Saturday during a dive and I couldn't find it. I was a bit busy at the time trying to avoid an uncontrolled ascent. I learned really fast what a 10# rock looked like.
So here are the horns of my delima. I can replace the weight pouch and be done with it. My only concern is that there was no indication the velcro connection on the old weight pouch was going to fail. The pouch showing the most wear wasn't the one that fell out. Why wouldn't the new one fall out as well? There isn't a good way to tell if the "hooks" side (inside the BC where the pouches go) wasn't the problem. For what I am going to have to spend to replace the pouch I'm considering other options. Besides, installing the pouches is a REAL PITA.
I can go to a weight belt. Problem: I have all soft weights so I'll have to get the individual pouches. Advantage: If I have to remove my BC during a dive the weight will stay with me. I also have to see how my BC cumberbun will fit with the weight belt.
I can re-configure my BC to take "normal" weight pouches. Problem: Sherwood doesn't make a kit for that. Their "cousin" company, Genisis has a BC that looks suspiciously like the Outback. Maybe I can get new cumberbun pieces from them? How pricey will that be?
Advantage: I can go to a clip retention system instead of velcro...maybe.
I can adios the Sherwood straps, keep the "um-backplate" and jin up a hog harness. Hey, I have to something while I'm not diving, right? Somehow that sounds like a deep dark rabbit hole.
Okay. I appeal to the combined wisdom of the SB community. I wasn't able to go diving this weekend anyway. (Something about a holiday my girlfriend is interested in.) A 14 day surface interval is pushing my limits for CGW (compressed gas withdrawals) so I'm hoping to get some good ideas from the folks over the next week.
I'm leaning toward a weight belt right now. It seems like the easiest route.
Thanks,
Steve.
So here are the horns of my delima. I can replace the weight pouch and be done with it. My only concern is that there was no indication the velcro connection on the old weight pouch was going to fail. The pouch showing the most wear wasn't the one that fell out. Why wouldn't the new one fall out as well? There isn't a good way to tell if the "hooks" side (inside the BC where the pouches go) wasn't the problem. For what I am going to have to spend to replace the pouch I'm considering other options. Besides, installing the pouches is a REAL PITA.
I can go to a weight belt. Problem: I have all soft weights so I'll have to get the individual pouches. Advantage: If I have to remove my BC during a dive the weight will stay with me. I also have to see how my BC cumberbun will fit with the weight belt.
I can re-configure my BC to take "normal" weight pouches. Problem: Sherwood doesn't make a kit for that. Their "cousin" company, Genisis has a BC that looks suspiciously like the Outback. Maybe I can get new cumberbun pieces from them? How pricey will that be?
Advantage: I can go to a clip retention system instead of velcro...maybe.
I can adios the Sherwood straps, keep the "um-backplate" and jin up a hog harness. Hey, I have to something while I'm not diving, right? Somehow that sounds like a deep dark rabbit hole.
Okay. I appeal to the combined wisdom of the SB community. I wasn't able to go diving this weekend anyway. (Something about a holiday my girlfriend is interested in.) A 14 day surface interval is pushing my limits for CGW (compressed gas withdrawals) so I'm hoping to get some good ideas from the folks over the next week.
I'm leaning toward a weight belt right now. It seems like the easiest route.
Thanks,
Steve.