ginge
Registered
I just asked a similar question to this over on the Solo forum because although I have been diving since the 90s I have only just begun diving with a dry suit.
I had just stuck all my weight on the backplate/integrated and got on with it, I found that tying to do a kit removal and replacement was made very difficult by being positively buoyant.
I also don't have a waist so weight belts aren't ideal for me. Basically the consensus was to get enough weight on me to be neutral in just my suit and then the rest on the backplate for a balanced rig or go sidemount.
I am still considering that.
As for why?
I was taught to do it (90s, horseshoe, fenzy bottle, no octo) from day one and have continued to refresh those skills regularly.
Sure, in an ideal situation you could get a buddy to cut you out or get yourself detangled but people don't die in ideal situations.
People die at the end of chains of problems.
Got separated from buddy > got entangled > unable to cut self free > attempted unfamiliar de-kit drill under stress > rapid ascent > died.
Becomes
Got separated from buddy > got entangled > unable to cut self free > removed kit > got untangled > replaced kit > surfaced > found buddy > went home.
It's not going to re relevant to everyone but it can't hurt to practise it until it becomes a smooth drill either.
The only time I've ever had to do it "in anger" I got a piece of SWR hooked around my first stage in bad vis. When I turned to investigate it hooked the cam band (rented, velcro knackered) and undid it.
I then had to remove and replace my BCD and reattach the cylinder while submerged.
My insta-buddy wasn't much use and I am glad I had practised that drill, can't cut SWR with a knife.
Lesson learned, I now use my own BCD on holidays and it has 2 cam bands that open in opposite directions so one event can't open both of them.
I had just stuck all my weight on the backplate/integrated and got on with it, I found that tying to do a kit removal and replacement was made very difficult by being positively buoyant.
I also don't have a waist so weight belts aren't ideal for me. Basically the consensus was to get enough weight on me to be neutral in just my suit and then the rest on the backplate for a balanced rig or go sidemount.
I am still considering that.
As for why?
I was taught to do it (90s, horseshoe, fenzy bottle, no octo) from day one and have continued to refresh those skills regularly.
Sure, in an ideal situation you could get a buddy to cut you out or get yourself detangled but people don't die in ideal situations.
People die at the end of chains of problems.
Got separated from buddy > got entangled > unable to cut self free > attempted unfamiliar de-kit drill under stress > rapid ascent > died.
Becomes
Got separated from buddy > got entangled > unable to cut self free > removed kit > got untangled > replaced kit > surfaced > found buddy > went home.
It's not going to re relevant to everyone but it can't hurt to practise it until it becomes a smooth drill either.
The only time I've ever had to do it "in anger" I got a piece of SWR hooked around my first stage in bad vis. When I turned to investigate it hooked the cam band (rented, velcro knackered) and undid it.
I then had to remove and replace my BCD and reattach the cylinder while submerged.
My insta-buddy wasn't much use and I am glad I had practised that drill, can't cut SWR with a knife.
Lesson learned, I now use my own BCD on holidays and it has 2 cam bands that open in opposite directions so one event can't open both of them.