Weight Integrated BC or steel BP&W on boat

[O2BBubbleFree]

Curiosity in three parts...

1. When I bought my Ranger the salesman said that some deck hands don't like WI BCs. Most of my dives have been shore dives, and on the 2 boats that I've been on there weren't really any deck hands, so I haven't heard any complaints. Has anyone (diver, deck hand, or buddy) had a problem in this area?

2. In a couple of posts on this board I've seen it mentioned that if you are diving on a RIB, where you de-kit in-water and hand your gear in, you will "piss people off" if you have a WI BC. I guess this is assuming that you can't hand your weights in seperately. Has anyone had a problem in this area?

3. If the above is a concern, does a steel backplate produce the same result, or is this form of weight integration not noticed?

 

[cool_hardware52]

Curiosity in three parts...

1. When I bought my Ranger the salesman said that some deck hands don't like WI BCs. Most of my dives have been shore dives, and on the 2 boats that I've been on there weren't really any deck hands, so I haven't heard any complaints. Has anyone (diver, deck hand, or buddy) had a problem in this area?

2. In a couple of posts on this board I've seen it mentioned that if you are diving on a RIB, where you de-kit in-water and hand your gear in, you will "piss people off" if you have a WI BC. I guess this is assuming that you can't hand your weights in seperately. Has anyone had a problem in this area?

3. If the above is a concern, does a steel backplate produce the same result, or is this form of weight integration not noticed?

Consider that a WI bc may be loaded with say 16-28 lbs of lead.

The typical BP weighs ~6 lbs. A BP/W could be considered weight integrated to an extent.....of 6lbs with the rest on the divers belt. If 6 lbs is going to piss of the deck hands, wrong boat.

My experience is that manners, attitude, and propensity to tip is far more important to the crew than the weight of your BC.


Regards,




Tobin George

 

[alijtaylor]

In my vast expereicne of boat diving (lots of dives but ony three different boats) the weights were handed up separately. No worries mate.

 

[MechDiver]

Curiosity in three parts...

Has anyone (diver, deck hand, or buddy) had a problem in this area?

2. In a couple of posts on this board I've seen it mentioned that if you are diving on a RIB, where you de-kit in-water and hand your gear in, you will "piss people off" if you have a WI BC. I guess this is assuming that you can't hand your weights in seperately. Has anyone had a problem in this area?

3. If the above is a concern, does a steel backplate produce the same result, or is this form of weight integration not noticed?

The deck hands are being paid to do a job. Whether they get annoyed with your dive gear is immaterial as you're paying for the boat.

If you can't remove your weights and hand them up separately, then a rib may present a problem to someone hauling the BC aboard. As this could cause a physical injury, then I would agree its a potential issue.

My singles bp&w, with SS bp, weighted STA and steel tank (I don't use a weightbelt) is also quite heavy and could present the same problem. Talking about these issues before the boat goes out is a good thing to do.

MD

 

[murph-diver]

I don't use a weightbelt

So what do you dump when the s**t hits the fan

 

[MechDiver]

I don't use a weightbelt

So what do you dump when the s**t hits the fan

Ditchable weight is not necessary with a thought out rig. There are also times when ditching weight would be the last thing you want to do.

Some people are not comfortable with that, so to each their own.

MD

 

[northcoast_diver]

Integrated weights on a B/C make the B/C heavier, true. There are several ways to deal with that. Being able to remove the weight pouches is one solution.

Your buddy will be peeved when he/she has to hold your B/C for you, while you get into it, before a shore dive. C'est la vive. You could put the weight pouches on after you get into the B/C, but that takes longer to do.

When diving from a RIB, you may have trouble heaving your B/C back into the RIB, after the dive. Removing the weight pouches first fixes this problem perfectly.

I normally climb back onto big boats in my full gear, except I have already taken my fins off, and carry them, before walking up the ladder. So I have never had to hand weights or weight belts up to deck hands.

 

[wolf eel]

[Ditchable weight is not necessary with a thought out rig. There are also times when ditching weight would be the last thing you want to do.]

[Some people are not comfortable with that, so to each their own.]

MD

Really ?

can you tell me when?

And if you are going to get a weight intergrated get whatever one you want but have it with a steel back plate for weight and they hold you truer.

Cheers
Foaming at the mouth

 

[CALI68]

In my vast expereicne of boat diving (lots of dives but ony three different boats) the weights were handed up separately. No worries mate.

Same here.

 

[miketsp]

Really ?

can you tell me when?

Any overhead environment. Or do you intend to walk on the ceiling?