The importance of the 'right hand rule?'

[Dytis]

I am left handed. Since entry level training, I was taught to wear my weightbelt in a way whereby I could release its buckle with my right hand. No real explanation was ever given for this and I've often wondered of it's importance.

 

[Walter]

If you have a left hand release, a rescuer will take longer to ditch your weight and could try to ditch your BC by mistake. Your weight should be right hand release and your BC should be left hand release. Avoids confusion and it's even for lefties.

 

[Dytis]

and differs to my weightbelt release. If a pre-dive safety check revealed a left-hand release on my weight belt wouldn't that make it acceptable?

 

[stiebs]

Not necessarily..

Even if your buddy checks your equipment, even if its the same buddy that you always dive with, there's every chance that in an emergency situation he is still going to act on impulse, and act on what he's used to from his own gear.

Again, in an emergency situation, the person potentially rescuing you is not always going to be the same person involved in your pre-dive check.

 

[Walter]

No. You go over it with your buddy, but he may not be the one who makes the rescue. There's no need to switch to left hand release unless you do not have a working right hand.

 

[Dytis]

You mention emergency scenarios and rescues where the weightbelt has to be ditched. Is this a procedure 'a must'? Couldn't releasing a victim's w/b and losing your hold result in an uncontrolled ascent of the victim and possible embolism?
Why don't the training agencies give you a reason for the R.H.R?

 

[Big-t-2538]

that the R-H-R was originally formed when BCDs had the same type of buckle that most weight belts are now. All the BCDs were left hand, thus you wore your weight belt the other way so as to avoid confusion. So the R-H-R for a weight belt has stuck and become the standrd. Why change the standard...no need...it is what it is...it works (for the most part)

 

[Dytis]

From what I gather it all has to do with equipment configurations. Well, BCD's with integrated weight systems have been around a while now and the standard R.H.R hasn't been revised (yet). What do the agencies say about it apart from merely emphasis- it to beginers?

Rescue divers, DM's, AI's and instructors out there, what are your opinions?

 

[MikeFerrara]

It's a convention that has a practical application and it works. Beyond that it doesn't seem to be worth spending much time or effort on.

Of course it isn't law, you could use a left hand release. But...if your making a bc adjustment during a dive and accidently drop your weight belt and shoot to the surface remember the practical application thing I mentioned.

 

[Jarhead]

Dytis once bubbled...
You mention emergency scenarios and rescues where the weightbelt has to be ditched. Is this a procedure 'a must'? Couldn't releasing a victim's w/b and losing your hold result in an uncontrolled ascent of the victim and possible embolism?
Why don't the training agencies give you a reason for the R.H.R?

In an emergency, you would drop the weight belt AFTER you reach the surface. Not before the ascent.

Jarhead