Trim Weights?

[Guba]

Okay, I know there are already several equipment threads going, but I have a gear question.
How many divers use trim weights (particularly tank mounted) and what method do you use to distribute the weight?

 

[The Kraken]

Well, back when I needed trim weights, I used two.

My B/C has two tank straps.

I would put a trim weight pouch on each strap, one on the right and one on the left.

the K

 

[boulderjohn]

I use the trim pockets in my BCD. I love the way it feels.

Last year I was on a liveaboard that only had 1 kilo (2.2 #) weights on board. I thought I would be overweighted with four. How could I do three? I mounted one of them to the top of the tank with a weight belt. It was great!

 

[DiveGolfSki]

Same as Kraken, trim pocket with 5lbs. on the tank band on the right side. I have another trim pocket on my left waist belt (I use a Halcyon BP/Wing) where I fine tune my weight (2-4 lbs).

 

[Guba]

More clarification...what I'm particularly interested in is the ratio of the weight and its position. For example, let's say a person dives with 15 pounds. If you use trim weights, how much do you mount on the tanks and how much in on your waist (if that's your configuration)? I'm also interested in how much weight us reserved as ditchable weight within these ratios.

 

[landlocked]

More clarification...what I'm particularly interested in is the ratio of the weight and its position. For example, let's say a person dives with 15 pounds. If you use trim weights, how much do you mount on the tanks and how much in on your waist (if that's your configuration)? I'm also interested in how much weight us reserved as ditchable weight within these ratios.

(Note: the following is in conjunction with a back inflate bouyancy device.) About two thirds goes in the pockets next to the tank. With 15 pounds I would put 10 in the trim pockets and then distribute the remaning 5 around the weight belt. The amount in the trim pockets changes as the amount of weight needed changes. This is a good reason to keep a good dive log. The next time you dive a full 7mil instead of a 3 mil shorty you just refer to the log to see how the weight was distributed and what the results were. Over a period of a few dives you can fine tune the distribution for yourself with a large variety of suits and tanks. Diving is so much more fun when your trim is correct.

 

[DBailey]

How you distribute them will vary from diver to diver.

With 15 pounds, I would start with 11 on the belt and 4 in trim (2 in each pocket).

 

[landlocked]

All you need on a weight belt is enough for ditching; enough to get you started up not to play polaris. The rest is best kept in the same location as the air that is lifting you up, the BC. If the air bladder is on your back, then most of your weight needs to be there as well either in the form of weights, a backplate, steel tank or a combination of the three. Otherwise your shoulders are lifted and your waist is lowered. This causes a heads up orientation in the water with the result that you expend more energy to move forward and your fins are constantly in the mud, or worse, banging up the reef. Of course all of this is different if you are still using a poodle jacket and most of your bouyancy air is sitting under your armpits.

 

[spectrum]

I run trim weights in my trim pockes, a pair of 3's. Before that I had "heavy feet. Actually it was a light chest. These weights do the same magic ast the 6 pound BP. As far as distribution I keep a pair of 3's in my BC ditchables, these are ommited for fresh water. A 14 pound belt rounds out the rig for 7mm wet salt waterdiving at 26 pounds. I wear more with my DS and less with lighter wetsuits or vests.

IMO it's good to have no single item be too heavy and that also lets you drop weight with some level of control if you get into trouble.

Pete

 

[cfdfirediver]

I dive with 26 lbs
10 on a belt 6 on each side in bc ditchables
and 2 on each side of my tank on the top strap
in an emergency I can ditch the belt and be bouyant enough for an easy ascent