Weight Issues & DIR

[llTritaTutto]

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

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.

Yes thats right, theres lots of buckles and my backplate isnt stainless steel. As I was sharing with another reply, 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.

But for all intents and purposes so far its been serving me great and I love it. It was well worth the money especially since this is my first wing BCD. Just the occasional peer pressure by other dive friends makes me second guess.

Regarding the padding, I will try removing the backplate padding as thats quite buoyant and see if the trim changes with the same 3 weights on my next dive in July

 

[Still Kicking]

Resist the peer pressure. It's tough.

Focus on becoming a better diver *at the level you are now* rather than trying to get to a different level.

Impress others with your basic skills (buoyancy, trim, grace under pressure) instead of your gear.

Maybe find better buddies

 

[llTritaTutto]

Ah thanks for the advice.

Recently they called me again and I was hesitant and couldnt quite explain why. This explains it. Its the peer pressure haha

Yeah thats my goal actually. I just recently learnt the frog kick and helicopter turns. Havent gotten the hang of reversing but its a WIP.

Ill need to get fins and booties however. My personal fins are ill fitting and my booties a size too big so Ive got some serious blisters at the ankle. I was considering the SP deltas and eddy fins. Do you have any advice regarding this?

 

[The Chairman]

Resist the peer pressure. It's tough.

I tell them "Dive and let dive!" Fit and comfort are the two most important thing with any diving gear. What's right for me, may not be right for you and the converse is true. Dive for yourself: not for others.

 

[Still Kicking]

Ah thanks for the advice.

Recently they called me again and I was hesitant and couldnt quite explain why. This explains it. Its the peer pressure haha

Yeah thats my goal actually. I just recently learnt the frog kick and helicopter turns. Havent gotten the hang of reversing but its a WIP.

Ill need to get fins and booties however. My personal fins are ill fitting and my booties a size too big so Ive got some serious blisters at the ankle. I was considering the SP deltas and eddy fins. Do you have any advice regarding this?

You have to find the right boots first (snug and comfortable) and then find fins that fit the boots. Hard to do unless you try them on in person.

For manuevering I like Jet fins. They give me great control. I can kick hard if i need and they give me lots of power.

I have used Jet fins for years but just started using lighter Go Sports for travel and like them.

 

[rongoodman]

It would be simple enough to replace all that junk with a one piece harness and crotch strap. You could even cut out the stainless D-rings and use them for something else.

 

[jborg]

I didnt regret itor reconsider until I got psycho-ed by my other diving friends that DIR is the way to go.
[...]
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

You can ignore the ribbing from your friends, if for no other reason then at least because it's inconsistent and incorrect -- sidemount is not DIR, at least not for regular open water dives.

 

[Eanxbr]

Brother, if you feel good and comfortable with the gear you have now, keep it just the way it is. Things to keep an eye out for, and open mind, is how effortless you are getting and maintaining trim. How is your buoyancy?

If you chose to make changes to your setup, take it one step at a time and try it out and readjust until its working fine (or not) - BEFORE doing something else.

Thank the fine folks who are peer pressuring you to make changes and tell them that if they care to donate some funds or gear to your cause, they are welcome to it! But I would still take it one step at a time

 

[FF / EMT]

Don't get sucked into things (eg sidemount) because they're "cool."

That’s like the most important rule of DIR- look cool doing it

 

[grantmac]

Once you learn to adjust it correctly a DIR harness is both easy to get on (especially in a wetsuit) and very comfortable. It will both be more durable and might require less lead (none of which needs to be ditchable).

Unfortunately as it stands sidemount isn't DIR.