Weight Issues & DIR

[johndiver999]

I did bring up the discomfort issue near the top but it also occurs to me that it's not good for the wing either. There's a good chance the wing is going to get pinched between the weight and the plate and you'll end up with a bunch of pinch flats (cycyling term) in your bladder. Not good.

Sorry about my bad reading skills.

I've never really thought about it before, but is an elastic (rubber, silicone etc.) belt DIR compliant? Just curious?

 

[Still Kicking]

Sorry about my bad reading skills.

I've never really thought about it before, but is an elastic (rubber, silicone etc.) belt DIR compliant? Just curious?

I was never told it wasn"t......

 

[llTritaTutto]

Maybe put it on your long term calendar.

It doesn't have to be a GUE class but working with someone who really understands the philosophy and who knows how to help you develop the right skillset is a great way to progress in diving.

Better diving is a journey not a destination....enjoy the ride!

Thanks for the input man. I appreciate it.

Do you know if my current BC can be converted to DIR? I see alot of backplates and webbing out there and am just wondering if it can be?
I did remember the dive shop told me my BC can be adapted for sidemount too if i wanted so I assume it can also be DIR if I want to sometime down the road?

 

[llTritaTutto]

I did bring up the discomfort issue near the top but it also occurs to me that it's not good for the wing either. There's a good chance the wing is going to get pinched between the weight and the plate and you'll end up with a bunch of pinch flats (cycyling term) in your bladder. Not good.

I cant say its super comfortable tbh haha but yes thats a good point

 

[llTritaTutto]

Scanned the responses and didn't see this mentioned. Wearing one weight on the belt, placed at the rear center of the belt is going to be uncomfortable, somewhat unstable, more easily trapped by the BC and a bad idea.

A better idea is (as mentioned by other - get a rubber belt) and place two pieces of lead on the belt. You can purchase weights down to the 1 lb size, so you should be able to accomplish this. Wearing small weights on a rubber belt with the weight located on your hip crest (or preferably just forward of it), will place ballast more below you improving stability, but it will also be more comfortable and won't have any tendency to spin or rotate around your waist. The rubber belt will cling to your body and allow you to comfortably wear it just below your waist harness straps NOT under it.

I wear my weight belt under the crotch strap. It will be slower to ditch, but much easier to put on. If you are wearing a belt with less than 3-4 lbs on it, ditching it super fast is probably not a safety issue anyway - more convenience. Try wearing it under harness and crotch strap and see how it feels. After several times of dressing and undressing, you will gain confidence that you will be able to open the belt and draw it away from your body when worn in that position.

That suggestion about 2x 1 pound weights is actually super smart... any idea what brand of weight and rubber belt?

How do the weights go onto a rubber belt btw? Same as the normal belts?

 

[johndiver999]

Brands of weights probably don't matter.

If you dive on nice boats, the owners will appreciate you buying the more expensive vinyl coated weights that don't mark up the deck.

Rubber belts hold weights the same as a nylon belt - just better - don't slide around as much (or at all) .

 

[Still Kicking]

Thanks for the input man. I appreciate it.

Do you know if my current BC can be converted to DIR? I see alot of backplates and webbing out there and am just wondering if it can be?
I did remember the dive shop told me my BC can be adapted for sidemount too if i wanted so I assume it can also be DIR if I want to sometime down the road?

Maybe, probably

A plate and wing with a continuous harness is pretty simple. This is one area where it would be great to have someone knowledgeable help you in person.

I would not worry about it at the moment. Dive what you have. Modify it or trade it out later. Don't let the gear or the peer pressure limit your enjoyment. We dive for fun, right?

You are fortunate to be close to arguably the best diving in the world. Take advantage of that as much as possible and learn as you go.

 

[llTritaTutto]

Maybe, probably

A plate and wing with a continuous harness is pretty simple. This is one area where it would be great to have someone knowledgeable help you in person.

I would not worry about it at the moment. Dive what you have. Modify it or trade it out later. Don't let the gear or the peer pressure limit your enjoyment. We dive for fun, right?

You are fortunate to be close to arguably the best diving in the world. Take advantage of that as much as possible and learn as you go.

Yeah Im very grateful... first day here and yall are swole...

Thanks for the advice. The information over whelmed me as I was trying to determine whats right and wrong. Though in diving there seems to be no such thing, just whatever works for you

 

[llTritaTutto]

Brands of weights probably don't matter.

If you dive on nice boats, the owners will appreciate you buying the more expensive vinyl coated weights that don't mark up the deck.

Rubber belts hold weights the same as a nylon belt - just better - don't slide around as much (or at all) .

Mate, can I check are they the freediving kinda rubber belts? Something like this from Dive Box (my local dive shop)?

https://shopee.sg/product/554890954/13260834556?gads_t_sig=VTJGc2RHVmtYMTlxTFVSVVRrdENkY0N5akVpcE5OamJEdjRRTHBOTzhmbEJVbHBiMFFLeW41aDh5VnMzUmw0MVo4Y1lzZmZGY2dMOVIvTjRsY3o5TktsWXQyUzRHc0gvTm5PRmR3SlcxakhEQjY0R24vR1A1SlZtRk1iN3JraFE&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAnKi8BhB0EiwA58DA4XBUhjTZwiKPspV1WduRKseIH4rEJ0UXBMX9aWTTxOIu2m20xIwM0BoCyN0QAvD_BwE

 

[johndiver999]

Those should probably work. Personally, I am not a huge fan of a metal buckle tightening on a rubber belt, but for a light weightbelt, those should last many years! There are other types of buckles that can be used.