Tank backpack

[Eric Sedletzky]

The other thing I heard people used to do was fill those hollow plastic blow molded backpacks with lead shot for additional ballast.

 

[NAM001]

That is interesting. I don't recall whether my healthways back pac was hollow with drain holes in it or foam filled for regidity. I do know that with the 1/4 wet suit at 40 i got real heavy real fast. I don't know if i would have wanted to have a lead filled back pac. I remember first seeing the dacor back pacs and the ones that USD sold, that looked like molded car seat things that wrapped around the lower back compared to the board like is shown in the post. I liked that cause it was so much more stable and perhaps it was probably much less buoyant.

The other thing I heard people used to do was fill those hollow plastic blow molded backpacks with lead shot for additional ballast.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

The other thing I heard people used to do was fill those hollow plastic blow molded backpacks with lead shot for additional ballast.

As noted above, it was mostly a cold water diver thing where we needed a bit more weight, back in the day when AL 80s, steel 72s, and 1800 psi or 2215 psi steel 50s comprised about 90% of the available tank choices - all of which were either floaty or not very negatively buoyant.

It was not something you'd do in a high waist 1/8" wet suit or shorty.

That is interesting. I don't recall whether my healthways back pac was hollow with drain holes in it or foam filled for regidity. I do know that with the 1/4 wet suit at 40 i got real heavy real fast. I don't know if i would have wanted to have a lead filled back pac. I remember first seeing the dacor back pacs and the ones that USD sold, that looked like molded car seat things that wrapped around the lower back compared to the board like is shown in the post. I liked that cause it was so much more stable and perhaps it was probably much less buoyant.

I'll post a couple pictures tomorrow so people can see what you're talking about.

 

[boat sju]

Everyone needs one of these.

Plastic backpack and 30cf pony - ScubaBoard Gallery

 

[mmerriman]

contact a local pool repair company - they love those things

 

[rx7diver]

Everyone needs one of these.

Plastic backpack and 30cf pony - ScubaBoard Gallery

I agree. My children (preteens and new teenager) wore mine with an OMS 46 and Poseidon Odin (Scubapro Mk 10 + D400/G250 are pictured) this summer in my parents' backyard pool.



And I wore it a few weeks later with a Luxfer Al 63 and a double hose regulator in my neighborhood quarry, sans BC and exposure suit. Easily one of the most liberating--and fun--dives I've ever done!

Safe Diving,

rx7diver