To weight integrate, or not to weight integrate... that is the question

[sky50960]

You should try the proper way of getting " loaded " with heavy weights.
Try this if you dont' know : at the end of a dive if correctly loaded you should be able to float at 10 feet, you BC empty and breathing at current volume.
To go down under the surface purge the BC and empty you lungs and the pressure will do the rest by compressind diving suit and body gasses ( intestins ) and the BC if some gas remain inside.

 

[ScubaSteve2003]

I personally think that the weight integration system is definatly a plus. As you may know when you dive wiht a belt there is more stress. I am not sure if you have dove with a belt or not but with my experiance I tend to find my back arching down a lot more with a belt. I have dove with both Integrated and Belt Systems. I prefer the Integrated but again its your back and your the one diving!!!
Good Luck!!

 

[kauai_diver]

I personally like the IWS. I like not having to wear a belt and it gives you another place to store small tools etc. if your pockets are not good options.

 

[lildiver]

I'm considering purchasing an IW BC, but have a question. When I'm diving in fresh water that is warm, I don't require any extra wt. Does the IW BC allow no wt at all? And does it still perform well?
Thanks for input on this.

~lildiver

 

[large_diver]

Positives of weight integrated BCs:
- Helps get weight off of a heavy belt
- Lets you spread weight around, improving your trim (I have ditchable weights in the front of my Sea-Quest Pro QD and non-ditchable pouches against my back)
- In an emergency, lets you dump weights in stages, vs. "all or nothing" nature of a weight belt, especially if you use both belth and intergrated weights
- If you have to frequently change the amoount of weight you use (fresh vs. salt water, diff. exposure suits, etc.), the weight integration can make shifting your weights around somewhat easier.

Negatives of a weight integrated BCs:
- Some pouches have been known to fall out without proper care and usage
- In an emergency -- Multiple weights (pouches & belt) = more complexity.
- If you have to take off your BC/tank at depth due to entanglement, would you be able to maintain depth while you put it back on if all of your weight is in the vest?
- With some models -- taking the weight pouches in/out can be difficult

I'm sure I've missed some, but thought these thoughts might be helpful.

 

[Laine]

Hi from Michigan!

Due to my location I dive both cold fresh water at home and salt on vacation. I am a petite female diver and love my Sea Quest Diva WI BC. I have had two back surgeries and with this system I have never experienced back fatigue. In fact my back feels wonderful at depth.

I agree with the others that fit and comfort are a must, so keep trying them until you find one that is right for your body type.

Laine

 

[joewr]

Folks,

I like integrated wts because they are just plain more comfortable! But as Large-Diver pointed out, the wt pouches can slip out of their pockets. That happened to Barbara once--she also has and loves here SQ Diva--and as far as we can tell it was because she had not used all the area of the velcro. Since then, she has added that to her check list and no further occurrences.

One thing to make certain of is that you can get the wts out easily. For two reasons:

(1) Obvious safety one if you ever need to dump wts.

(2) When diving from a boat frequently the DM/Captain/crew will haul your BC aboard--and fins, camera, etc.--before you get out of the water. It is much easier on their backs if you remove the wts and hand them up.

So, my vote: Int. Wts., yes! Hanging chads, no!

Joewr

 

[socaldiver]

COMFORT!!

I have to say that I am very happy with my WIBC. Going thru training I had to wear the weight belt but as soon as my skill dives were over that belt came off as quick as you can snap your finger.

Plop Plop oh what a relief it is!!

I have not had a problem so far with the pouches falling (knock on wood).

I normally put 1/3 of my weight in the back pockets of the BC and then 1/3 in each pouch.

Joe, I need to go on the boats you go on. The only gear the DMs take from me are my fins and camera. As far as this old weighted down body it labors to get out of the water and back onto the boat. I have tried to bribe them to let me use the hoist with a sling attached but no success yet.

 

[large_diver]

One other point on WI BCs -- it is important to try and take the weight pockets out BEFORE handling the BC...otherwise the BC is pretty unwieldy

 

[joewr]

Socal Diver,

I would like to be on the same boat with a fellow FWD afficionado! When did you say St. Catalina Is. got to 75 degs?

Joewr