My opinion of the Back Plate

[Darnold9999]

I too wear a weight belt, couldn't imagine integrating the weight into the BP/W - I am not as young as I used to be (who is) and lifting that much weight and getting into the rig at the same time would be too much. Tried it once with an integrated BC system and it drove me to my knees and I had to get help just standing up.

I have wondered how you would dekit with the boyancy of a drysuit. Did it in a pool in my certification course, but this was with no wetsuit so was pretty close to neutral out of the gear. Made the switch fairly easy - just a little time consuming. I can imagine that you would always have to hang on to everything as letting go of either weight belt or BP/W would make you pop up like a cork.

 

[*Floater*]

i added a xs scuba weight pocket to each side of my harness (waist area, next to plate). when i need extra weight i just use those. belts are a pain with bp/w.

here's a pic, not good quality, but it should give those interested an idea. i have the pockets upside down (when standing with the harness on) to make dumping weights easier in that position. the left one is held in place by the plate and the left hip d-ring, and I added a keeper to keep the right weight pocket in place as well. this isn't the most elegant solution, but it's cheap and easy. the xs pockets only cost $8 or $9 each.

 

[dherbman]

A note about integrated systems: Many use ditchable pouches which can be removed and handed up at the end of the dive, so the argument that integrated is too heavy on land is not really valid in this case.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

A note about integrated systems: Many use ditchable pouches which can be removed and handed up at the end of the dive, so the argument that integrated is too heavy on land is not really valid in this case.

That depends on the dive site ... out here we do mostly shore dives, sometimes with fairly long walks from where you kit up to where you get in the water. Those dives are not situations where you can "hand up" your weights to anyone ... you have to carry what you're going to wear down to the water ... and back again at the end of the dive.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[dherbman]

Same here, but the option does exist, whether with weight belt or integrated, to make two trips. My original (badly stated) point is that the issue of heavy gear is not made better or worse by integrating into the BCD. For some, it might be more comfortable to wear that weight on their hips, but their legs are not going to benefit.

In Darnold9999's case, kitting up with a integrated system, less the weights and then inserting the pouches would be no more or less strenuous than donning a weight belt after the BC.

 

[DomaNitrogen]

Sorry guys i was out of the country so delyad post.

But thanks a lot spliting the weights is the best choice i guess

 

[cummings66]

will definitely do that when I try my new BP/W.

BTW, I've lived in Kirksville and still maintain an apt in Columbia. Maybe we can get together next time I go back. It'd be great to put a face to a fellow SBer.

I'm always up for a dive or meeting, give a hollar.