Weight Issues & DIR

[llTritaTutto]

Hii yall, so Im a fairly new diver with around 22 dives past my AOW and around 40+ dives in total.

For context, I have a bares 5mm wetsuit and Im around 84Kg. I recently have gotten my own Infinity BCD and there are some trim issues. I have to use 3 weights to be in perfect weighting with 2 up at the camband weightpocket and one on a weightbelt behind my back, just above my butt. This then gets me in trim.

I was told this is not ideal as I should integrate the weights into pockets without a weightbelt needed to go over the BCD harness. My idea was that I could drop the belt and sink in emergencies as taught in OW. How may I do this especially with my weird requirement for weight placement?

Secondly, Infinity BCDs are not DIR. I have been hearing alot of this and since the harness of infinity isnt DIR, Im just wondering does it really matter?

I look forward to hearing from yall and Thank you all for any input!

 

[David Novo]

There are no recommendations against a weightbelt.
Even if you want to follow GUE (one of the agencies that have close connection to DIR).

I wear a weightbelt under my harness but I know I can swim up my configuration in the event of a wing failure (this should be your goal).

 

[Still Kicking]

Hii yall, so Im a fairly new diver with around 22 dives past my AOW and around 40+ dives in total.

For context, I have a bares 5mm wetsuit and Im around 84Kg. I recently have gotten my own Infinity BCD and there are some trim issues. I have to use 3 weights to be in perfect weighting with 2 up at the camband weightpocket and one on a weightbelt behind my back, just above my butt. This then gets me in trim.

I was told this is not ideal as I should integrate the weights into pockets without a weightbelt needed to go over the BCD harness. My idea was that I could drop the belt and sink in emergencies as taught in OW. How may I do this especially with my weird requirement for weight placement?

Sounds like someone is trying to sell you an integrated weight system.

There's no problem with weight belts. I dont like to put extra weight on my rig so i wear a 12lb belt. You just have to remember to undo the harness waistbelt and crotch strap before ditching the belt. But a balanced rig you can swim up is the goal and first resort, as David said.

I use a rubber belt. It's grippy and compensates for depth.

The center weight sounds uncomfortable if it sits under the tank. You should be able to split that weight on your hips where it will be out of the way without affecting trim but if it works for you ...

 

[llTritaTutto]

Sounds like someone is trying to sell you an integrated weight system.

There's no problem with weight belts. I dont like to put extra weight on my rig so i wear a 12lb belt. You just have to remember to undo the harness waistbelt and crotch strap before ditching the belt. But a balanced rig you can swim up is the goal and first resort, as David said.

I use a rubber belt. It's grippy and compensates for depth.

The center weight sounds uncomfortable if it sits under the tank. You should be able to split that weight on your hips where it will be out of the way without affecting trim but if it works for you ...

Hi mate, so to clarify im wearing the weight belt on top of the harness waistbelt and crotch strap. I figured its safer this way if i needa ditch it.

I think my second question is in the long run does not having a DIR BCD matter?

 

[llTritaTutto]

There are no recommendations against a weightbelt.
Even if you want to follow GUE (one of the agencies that have close connection to DIR).

I wear a weightbelt under my harness but I know I can swim up my configuration in the event of a wing failure (this should be your goal).

I think my second question what im trying to ask is if in the long run does not having a DIR single tank BCD matter? I was going to get a DIR harness only when I learn sidemount

 

[Still Kicking]

Hi mate, so to clarify im wearing the weight belt on top of the harness waistbelt and crotch strap. I figured its safer this way if i needa ditch it.

I think my second question is in the long run does not having a DIR BCD matter?

I wear mine underneath. I find it easier and more comfortable. Thirty years and I have never dropped weight (even when my inflator hose popped off!) but I know how to if needed.

Second issue: Why is the Infinity not DIR? I prefer a simple continious harness rig but adjustable harnesses are not terribly bad in my opinion. I don't think you need to be 100 percent DIR unless you are diving with an agency or a team that mandates it. Simple, reliable gear is best IMO so I share DIR philosophy but I do not get fixated on specific gear choices.

Why are you thinking of sidemount?

 

[llTritaTutto]

Glad to know im doing something right XD

Mate Idk. This is the BCD im using, made in Taiwan. Its more common in Asia as last I heard, its quite hard to get in the west. Surface Tension Infinity | Dive Box. I just been getting peer pressured with DIR concepts though I kinda like how mine is at the moment since its dumb proof and prefer not to change anything yet if I can

I was only going to get DIR when I learn sidemount. The only thing I can see myself changing in a years time is opt for long hose configuration. Is the DIR more safe than buckles for conventional recreation diving?

 

[Still Kicking]

Glad to know im doing something right XD

Mate Idk. This is the BCD im using, made in Taiwan. Its more common in Asia as last I heard, its quite hard to get in the west. Surface Tension Infinity | Dive Box. I just been getting peer pressured with DIR concepts though I kinda like how mine is at the moment since its dumb proof and prefer not to change anything yet if I can

I was only going to get DIR when I learn sidemount. The only thing I can see myself changing in a years time is opt for long hose configuration. Is the DIR more safe than buckles for conventional recreation diving?

The reason it is not DIR is because DIR is a minimalist philosophy. Don't use it if you don't need it.

This BC is overly complicated. Plastic quick clips on harness that might break. The shoulder padding is not needed and requires more lead to sink and may contribute to your trim issues. Lots of D rings and hardware to look "tekkie" but you only need three D rings on a basic rig. Thrse are not huge deals individually but add up to a BC that is very far from DIR. It's a philosophical issue.

More important for me is the reliability. With an unknown brand it's hard to gauge quality. The construction quality of the wing is very important. How will it hold up in 5 years? Will the company stand behind the product if you have problems.

But if it works for you.....dive it.

Don't get sucked into things (eg sidemount) because they're "cool." Sidemount has a place and a purpose but not needed for 99% of recreational diving.

 

[Lorenzoid]

Glad to know im doing something right XD

Mate Idk. This is the BCD im using, made in Taiwan. Its more common in Asia as last I heard, its quite hard to get in the west. Surface Tension Infinity | Dive Box. I just been getting peer pressured with DIR concepts though I kinda like how mine is at the moment since its dumb proof and prefer not to change anything yet if I can

I was only going to get DIR when I learn sidemount. The only thing I can see myself changing in a years time is opt for long hose configuration. Is the DIR more safe than buckles for conventional recreation diving?

When you say that BCD is not DIR-compliant, my guess is you are referring to its straps being made of multiple sections, with extra buckles joining them, whereas DIR requires the chest and waist strap be formed from a single continuous section of webbing. If you like this BCD for your recreational diving, I would encourage you to resist the peer pressure. My BCD is DIR-compliant, and I have taken my most recent training with GUE, but if I had not gone down that route I would not care too much whether my BCD had extra buckles, padding, etc. I do believe the long-hose configuration has advantages.

A weight belt can be DIR-compliant. I have used one on the rare occasions I have done some cold-water diving. If I recall, I wore it under my harness waist strap. My weight belt is rubber, like others have mentioned.

The padding on that BCD likely has some buoyancy. If you switched to a non-padded harness--more like the traditional DIR rig--you would likely need to carry less weight.

 

[llTritaTutto]

It's overly complicated. One example -- the shoulder padding is not needed and requires more lead to sink, in itself it's not a huge deal for me but may contribute to your trim issues. Lots of D rings and hardware to look "tekkie" but you only need three D rings on a basic rig.

More important is the reliability. With an unknown brand it's hard to gauge quality. The construction quality of the wing is very important. How will it hold up in 5 years? Will company stand behind the product if you have problems.

But if it works for you.....dive it.

Don't get sucked into things (eg sidemount) because they're "cool." Sidemount has a place and a purpose but not needed for 99% of recreational diving.

When I was purchasing, I wanted some ease of removal and adjustment like jacket style so I went with this buckle system without much thought and awareness of DIR. I didnt regret itor reconsider until I got psycho-ed by my other diving friends that DIR is the way to go.

Regarding the padding, yes I am aware but currently I can live with it and im in trim. Just required some adjustment to find it at the start which was annoying. I will try removing the huge padding at the backplate and see if it helps a little bit.

Regarding your question about sidemount… haha yes Im being psycho-ed by this same friend group that sidemount is cool and the way to go haha