Weight belt problem

[emoreira]

Hi all.
Just a silly problem with my weight belt.
I have my own gear. My BCD has Weight Integrated pockets. I wear 11 pounds (5 kilograms) in the WI pockets and 11 pounds (5 kilograms) more in my weight belt, distributed in 2 x 2 kilograms + 1 x 1 kilogram.
I also wear WEBBING KEEPERs so as weights do not move along the belt. My weight belt has a stainless steel buckle.
The problem I have is that the weight belt with the weights turn around and the buckle goes to my back and the weights front. I'm always trying to arrange them but over and over again they move front.
I wear the weight belt tight enough but with no luck.
This is not a big problem, however, in case of an emergency, if the weight belt should be removed, with the buckle in the back, it could be difficult.
I've also thought about using some kind of hook or whatever to avoid this, but any add on should be an added difficulty in case of an emergency with WB removal.
Any idea ?

 

[DivemasterDennis]

The simple and best solution is to replace the weight belt with a simple nylon belt with plastic buckle, and use double slotted weights that are arranged on the belt equally to each side. Your problem is related to either the belt or the way you arrange the weights. Also, as you descend, your exposure suit compresses, making the belt looser. It is appropriate to tighten it up when that occurs. Best of all solutions is to not use the belt at all if your bcd pocket can handle all the weight.
DivemasterDennis

 

[redacted]

I prefer the weights on my belt to be on the front of my hips so I place them close to the buckle anyway. If you are diving aluminum tanks, you may want to put a couple KG on the tank band for better stability but the rest of the weight should work well mounted to your front.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

A good quality rubber weight belt would be one way of addressing the problem of the belt rotating around so that the buckle is in the back.
A number of drysuit divers in our area like to use weight harnesses, such as the DUI Weight & Trim. The DUI W/T prevents the lead from shifting around during a dive, and it makes it rather comfortable to carry the weight on land.

I have no idea how thick your wetsuit is. Thicker wetsuits will be subjected to more compression at depth (in absolute terms vs. thinner wetsuits) due to the greater ambient pressure, and this compression will make your weightbelt feel looser. For this reason, it's important to adjust/re-tighten the belt once you arrive at depth. This was pointed out by DivemasterDennis above.

On a side note, is all of that weight (22 lbs.) positioned at your hips promoting proper static horizontal trim? 22 lbs. positioned at the waist seems like a recipe for head-up/feet-down trim.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

Use a rubber weight belt. Then you can completely avoid adjusting belt at depth.

Also, completely ignore the advice about using a plastic buckle

 

[g1138]

The simple and best solution is to replace the weight belt with a simple nylon belt with plastic buckle, and use double slotted weights that are arranged on the belt equally to each side. Your problem is related to either the belt or the way you arrange the weights. Also, as you descend, your exposure suit compresses, making the belt looser. It is appropriate to tighten it up when that occurs. Best of all solutions is to not use the belt at all if your bcd pocket can handle all the weight.
DivemasterDennis

All great advice but I'd like to add my opinion on the highlighted portions.
Plastics buckles brand new are hard to clasp completely shut which may lead some lazy or weak divers to only clasp it partially. Not exactly secure or safe in my opinion. For this reason I use stainless steel buckles. I think Stainless Steel is more durable and can hold out on sun fatigue and rough usage better than plastic buckles.

As for putting all your weight into your BC I dislike that idea. If you ever have to ditch and don your BC underwater (say you're entangled), you'll need some weight on you if you're wearing anything above a 5mm wetsuit. Likewise if you wear it all on your belt your BC will probably lift away from you as soon as you ditch it. I prefer to split it up, usually with more weight on my belt because I can ditch that faster.

Addressing the OP's question
Like other's have said:
If you're not already doing so try tightening your weight belt as you descend, or at least once you hit your max depth. There should not be a problem if you're doing that. If there is then you probably have your weights set too close to the buckle which would prevent you from tightening it further.

As a rule of thumb when you put your belt on, have at least 4 fingers and a thumb between your buckle and weights (on both sides). That'll give you enough feed to tighten your belt as much as you'll ever need.

Other than that I can't see any reason why this should happen. I doubt your exposure protection is entirely unique from everyone else's.
You could try a rubber weight belt if all else fails.

 

[fisheater]

Another vote for a rubber belt.

 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

I have always found having unequal weights (3 in your case) on a belt causes it to move. You are either lopsided or you have a weight on your back where it will slide off. You might consider changing the distribution between BCD and belt to having an even amount of weight on each side, like moving 1Kg from BCD to belt or the reverse.

The weight harnesses are an ideal solution for those of us needing lots of ballast but they do add cost. The rubber belts are great for more modest ballast requirements like you have.

 

[emoreira]

I have always found having unequal weights (3 in your case) on a belt causes it to move. You are either lopsided or you have a weight on your back where it will slide off. You might consider changing the distribution between BCD and belt to having an even amount of weight on each side, like moving 1Kg from BCD to belt or the reverse.

The set up I use is 2 Kg + 1 Kg in the middle + 2 Kg, With this, the tank should be aligned with the 1 kg weight which is smaller.
I will change this. I'll take the recommendation of putting the weights front 2 inches from the buckle at each side. Besides I think it's time to reduce 1 kg of the weight I use. Last dive I felt I was heavy. One thing that experience brings is reduced weight need.
I also take the recommendation of adjusting my weight belt at the bottom. I knew that I had to do this (this was mentioned many times during the OWD course), but I have to admit that I'm missing this part.

 

[g1138]

The set up I use is 2 Kg + 1 Kg in the middle + 2 Kg, With this, the tank should be aligned with the 1 kg weight which is smaller.
I will change this. I'll take the recommendation of putting the weights front 2 inches from the buckle at each side. Besides I think it's time to reduce 1 kg of the weight I use. Last dive I felt I was heavy. One thing that experience brings is reduced weight need.
I also take the recommendation of adjusting my weight belt at the bottom. I knew that I had to do this (this was mentioned many times during the OWD course), but I have to admit that I'm missing this part.

I didn't mean the weights have to be 2in from the buckle, you should have that amount of room at minimum. I think keeping the weightbelt weights near your sides will keep you more balanced when rolling if you need to roll for what ever reason.
But use what ever set up is comfortable for you. I personally keep my weightbelt weights below and behind my kidneys. It keeps my hips happy and bruise free when I'm doing my shore exits.