So my current rig is a 32lb single bladder Apex BP/W with SS backplate and STA. I dive a 15 litre lightweight faber steel tank in warm waters.
I used to have integrated weight pouches but as my experience increased and my weight requirement came down took these off and put any weight I needed in the rear tank trim pockets
In the summer I dive a 3mm full suit ( with no weight in the trim pockets). On the first dive of the day I'm perfect at the SS - no (or very little ) air in the wing and can deploy my DSMB with no problems and hover around all day holding my depth. On the 2nd or 3rd dive when the suit has lost buoyancy a little then I'm slightly heavy having to put a couple of squirts in the wing to keep buoyancy at the SS.
Moving on to the cooler months I have a 5/7mm with which I add 2lbs in the trim pockets, I have a new 7mm which I'm guess I'll need perhaps another couple (not dived it yet and I will do a weight check when I do).
My question is am I causing an issue for myself having none of this really ditchable - it being in the rear trim pockets? A buddy could ditch the weight on my behalf by undoing the clasp and letting the weight drop free, but if I assume that the wing is inflated then it'll prevent me reaching around (especially in a "panic" situation)
I was considering for my 7mm putting some weight in a front pocket but am I over thinking this?
Given the fact I'm only carrying 4lbs of weight in addition to my usual rig I suppose at depth I could deploy my SMB for lift, get a lift off my buddy or just swim this up?
Maybe I'm over thinking this but the recent incident this year have made me re-evaluate and second guess myself.
Cant' re use the old integrated weight pouches as there's no room on my waist belt for them as I have 2 accessory pockets - but as I said I can put a couple of pounds in one of those - but how much of a difference would ditching 2lbs at depth make?
Thoughts from the experts please?
I used to have integrated weight pouches but as my experience increased and my weight requirement came down took these off and put any weight I needed in the rear tank trim pockets
In the summer I dive a 3mm full suit ( with no weight in the trim pockets). On the first dive of the day I'm perfect at the SS - no (or very little ) air in the wing and can deploy my DSMB with no problems and hover around all day holding my depth. On the 2nd or 3rd dive when the suit has lost buoyancy a little then I'm slightly heavy having to put a couple of squirts in the wing to keep buoyancy at the SS.
Moving on to the cooler months I have a 5/7mm with which I add 2lbs in the trim pockets, I have a new 7mm which I'm guess I'll need perhaps another couple (not dived it yet and I will do a weight check when I do).
My question is am I causing an issue for myself having none of this really ditchable - it being in the rear trim pockets? A buddy could ditch the weight on my behalf by undoing the clasp and letting the weight drop free, but if I assume that the wing is inflated then it'll prevent me reaching around (especially in a "panic" situation)
I was considering for my 7mm putting some weight in a front pocket but am I over thinking this?
Given the fact I'm only carrying 4lbs of weight in addition to my usual rig I suppose at depth I could deploy my SMB for lift, get a lift off my buddy or just swim this up?
Maybe I'm over thinking this but the recent incident this year have made me re-evaluate and second guess myself.
Cant' re use the old integrated weight pouches as there's no room on my waist belt for them as I have 2 accessory pockets - but as I said I can put a couple of pounds in one of those - but how much of a difference would ditching 2lbs at depth make?
Thoughts from the experts please?