Removing weight integrated BC

[Trisha]

True story -- my husband and I were gliding along when he grabbed me and pulled me under him. Of course, I thought... well, you know what I thought. But instead of a hug, he was trying to keep me from floating up after my weight belt had come loose. Rented non-integrated BC, thicker-than-usual suit, you get the drift. Luckily, we were shallow in Lake Tenkiller, OK.
I really like my Dacor Elite. I still use my pocketed belt for transporting weights, as well as dividing the load when wearing something more than 3 mil. But it's nice to hand up each pocket on a boat and then climb aboard.

One tip: after a dive I remove the weights (soft weights in the pockets, a couple of 2-pounders in the non-ditching back pockets) and let them dry out. Then I clip the weight pockets back in place and let them hang loose to dry. This way they are not separated from the BC, and it's a clue to reassemble weights/pockets when grabbing things for the next trip to the water.

 

[mikedarmody]

It's the same for me. I like Carbon's point. I have found splitting the weight between my belt and my BC helps in a lot of ways. First, you don't float away. Second, all are easily ditchable. Third, if you ever have to take off your BC/tank in rough seas to get on a boat, that weight belt could help compensate you when you have a heavy wet suit. Or, you can take off the belt and negotiate the boat with the BC/tank. The idea is you will have less weight and it's your choice how to peel it off or leave it on.