Not having dumpable weights on BPW

[JLRO22]

I am super close on clicking order on my BPW set up. But I'm starting to get skeptical on the weight set up.
I'm a small diver 5'2 and only 115 lbs. I dive temperate waters in California with a 7mm suit, 5/3 hood, 7mm boots etc. This is my current 'possible buy' list in terms of main weighting:

Backplates​

• Halcyon - Small Stainless Steel Backplate; 4.05 lbs
• Dive Rite - Short Stainless Steel XT Backplate; 5.41 lbs

STAs​

• Dive Rite - STA; 0.81lbs
• Halcyon - STA; 2.4 lbs
• Halcyon - STA w/ weight; 7.55 lbs

With my dive program, I have access to AL80s or Steel 85, 80, 100s but usually opt for a steel more often times than not. Its a bad day if I have to use an AL80 or there's no steels left and I need more air than what's in an 85.
Anyway my dilemma is what is correct configuration without it being dangerous of having too much non-dumpable weight on my body? Since I dive steels usually, if I run a set up that's heavy (DR plate w/ any of the STAs), I would barely have to put anything on a belt. And if I need to do an emergency ascent and I dump, I'll be dumping basically nothing and need to instead kick like hell. Yeah that means I'll means I'm probably overweighted, but is running 7 or even 12 lbs + a steel over kill for such a small diver. Is it safe to run all your weight on your back?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Scared Silly]

Skip the STA and buy weight pockets that go on the tanks bands. Put two on the top band that can not be ditched and two on the botton that can be ditched. One can easily get enough weight in there for cold water diving then have flexibility when traveling to warm waters.

 

[fred32176]

I am 220 lbs, dive with steel 100s and sharkskin instead of a wet suit. Usually I have 4 lbs or less of ditchable weight. The only time I would be concerned with having ditchable weight is if I was going someplace with a known down current.

Ditchable weights are like snorkels, you may want them or not want them and whatever works for you is OK.

 

[DunningKruger]

I

Is it safe to run all your weight on your back

I do. I have a SS backplate. It's ~3kg. With shorts/rashguard or a Chillproof, that is all the weight I need. Sometimes I'll add 1kg to the tank band if I'm using AL80s instead of C80s (they are more buoyant). Zero problem swimming this rig up off the bottom. I tested it.

 

[MB NZ]

Skip the STA and buy weight pockets that go on the tanks bands.... One can easily get enough weight in there for cold water diving then have flexibility when traveling to warm waters.

That's what I do, thanks for reminding me why I do it! I did own a weighted STA briefly, but not good for travel (you could argue the same for a stainless steel backplate, but I seem to manage). I use one simple configuration for all diving. The more you mess around with kit, the more chance there is of forgetting an item or doing something wrong. That's how it works for me anyway. Also, the weighted STA made the unit quite heavy to carry around. Removable (but not necessarily ditchable weight) alleviates this to some degree.

 

[iliketopetsharks]

Two words: Balanced. Rig.

If you can swim up with full cylinders and compressed wetsuit, you don't need ditchable weight.

 

[Nemrod]

Two words: Balanced. Rig.

If you can swim up with full cylinders and compressed wetsuit, you don't need ditchable weight.

What if they need to stay on top of the surface unassisted to await picking up?

 

[Nemrod]

Skip the STA and buy weight pockets that go on the tanks bands. Put two on the top band that can not be ditched and two on the botton that can be ditched. One can easily get enough weight in there for cold water diving then have flexibility when traveling to warm waters.

I like this idea. Is this how you are configured?

 

[MB NZ]

What if they need to stay on top of the surface unassisted to await picking up?

With a "balanced rig", it's not an issue in normal conditions. It's no different from any other configuration. When I had my lost at sea incident, the waves were quite big and I had a long wait so I took my BP&W off, ditched the lead and put it back on.

 

[lowwall]

What if they need to stay on top of the surface unassisted to await picking up?

@MB NZ got the primary answer.

Less important but still valid is that the OP is using a 7mm wetsuit so if weighted properly should be close to neutral at the surface depending on how full the tank is.

 

[Scared Silly]

I like this idea. Is this how you are configured?

Yes, for many years we dove with a SS backplate with the trim pockets I linked. That worked great but we got tired of traveling with the backplates due to the weight and the hard plates in soft duffles. When we switched to Zeagle's composite plates we needed a bit more weight than they could hold especially when diving with thicker wetsuits. So we bought the larger pockets I linked. The system works great. The only draw back is when diving from a small boat where they haul your rig in while you climb the ladder.