Weight Question

[SM Diver]

One of the things I want to accomplish with this FredT/Pioneer is that during the Winter, I'd like less weight integrated with the BCD (during the Summer, I'll have no extra weight, as the 6 pound BP will be enough when wearing my diveskin).

Right now, in my Henderson full body 7/5, it takes about 20 pounds to be properly weighted. I do sometimes 8 dives per day on two day trips, so hoisting my present Zeagle, with 20 pounds in the weight pockets, plus the weight of a jacked-up steel 120, is enough to make anyone sore by the end of the day.

While needing all this weight in the colder months, I'd like to simplify the donning of the bc. A typical weight belt should accomplish this, since I can put it on my waste first, and then easily don the lighter BC. I looked at the ACB Halcyon soloution, but that appears to involve keeping the weight on the BC harness set-up, which I want to avoid. Halcyon says a weight belt will work with their set-up, but of course they're pushing their ACB.

Is there any reason that wearing a weight belt is not a good idea with this set-up, and does it interfere with the lower strap of the harness? Is the belt sitting below the harness strap, and I assume you put it (the belt) on first? (Been a long time since I wore a weight belt!)

 

[MikeFerrara]

I use a weight belt with a bp/wing. When I dive a wet suit I only have 4 pounds on the belt. the ACB pouches are way more than what I need for 4 pounds so I just use a belt. If I dive a single tank with a dry suit, which is rare, I use the pouches because I have more weight on the belt.

I wear the belt under the crotch strap.

If you do decide to go with the pouches they can be inserted easily after you put the rig on.

 

[kalvyn]

On a related note, how much weight do you normally drop switching from a jacket BC to a BP/Wings? I just purchased a Pioneer 36# MC system this last weekend, and a 12# soft weight belt. The guy at 5thD was suggesting that we'd start with that, and we could add the integrated weight system to the BP if necessary. He said I shouldn't wear more than 12# on my belt when I asked about just getting a heavier belt instead.

I currently wear about 40# diving my OSS dry suit and heavy undergarment with a jacket BC, and an AL80 (and I'm fairly certain that's overweighted). If I start out with the BP and a 12# weight belt, that's only 20# total weight, or about half of what I wear now. That can't be enought weight, can it? Thanks in advance for any input on this!

Jimmie

 

[Mo2vation]

With my 7mm, SeaQuest Balance and Steel 100, I got down to 16#. When I dive the boats with their beater Al80's, I moved up to about 20#.

Got my DUI, moved into a SeaQuest Black Diamond (fluffy Undies AND a fluffy BC...) and with the Steel 100 I jumped to 20#. With an AL80 I'm at about 24# and fighting at the end of the dive. 26# is better.

I just tossed my Black Diamond and my BP/W Pioneer 36# will be here Thursday. I'm thinking I can dive the new rig at 7# a side in the ACB, with the 6# of the BP and my Steel 100... maybe less, as I'm confident that fluffy Black Diamond added bouyancy.

It'll be cool to see how others who made the switch dealt with the weighting changes.

K

 

[Dryglove]

kalvyn once bubbled...
On a related note, how much weight do you normally drop switching from a jacket BC to a BP/Wings? I just purchased a Pioneer 36# MC system this last weekend, and a 12# soft weight belt. The guy at 5thD was suggesting that we'd start with that, and we could add the integrated weight system to the BP if necessary. He said I shouldn't wear more than 12# on my belt when I asked about just getting a heavier belt instead.

I currently wear about 40# diving my OSS dry suit and heavy undergarment with a jacket BC, and an AL80 (and I'm fairly certain that's overweighted). If I start out with the BP and a 12# weight belt, that's only 20# total weight, or about half of what I wear now. That can't be enought weight, can it? Thanks in advance for any input on this!

Jimmie

It does sound like your overweighted.Im guessing that your using that much weight in salt water.Your unergarment will also play a role in how much weight you need.

If your still underweighted you can always add a channel weight.That can add about 5-10lbs depending how you make it.

When i switched from my knighthawk to my halcyon i dropped about 3-4lbs of weight.

Also another key to dropping weight is how you use your drysuit.If you add just enough air to eliminate squeeze and not use it as a bc you will drop more weight.

The best thing is to get out and try it.Get your tank down to 500lbs and see where your buoyancy is at around 10-15ft.If your sinking you need to lose some weight.If you cant stay down add some weight.Make sure you completely vent your drysuit and wing.

 

[kalvyn]

lal7176 once bubbled...

[snip]

The best thing is to get out and try it.Get your tank down to 500lbs and see where your buoyancy is at around 10-15ft.If your sinking you need to lose some weight.If you cant stay down add some weight.Make sure you completely vent your drysuit and wing.

Yes, I'm diving in (cold) salt water, I should have mentioned that. I am getting an orientation dive with the shop after I get my gear, so I'll make sure we work on the weighting thing that day after I suck the tank down.

I only add enough air to my suit to combat squeeze (and I'm glad I had this forum to learn that, as well as a good instructor that agreed with what I read here). I've only done four dives in my dry suit so far, so I have some work to do there as far as how much air I'll be putting in the suit.

One question though... you mention checking my bouyancy at safety stop depth. I normally test it at the surface (per OW training). Does it make that big of a difference to check at 15' as opposed to the "normal" surface check?

Jimmie

 

[Dryglove]

kalvyn once bubbled...

One question though... you mention checking my bouyancy at safety stop depth. I normally test it at the surface (per OW training). Does it make that big of a difference to check at 15' as opposed to the "normal" surface check?
Jimmie

I guess thats a difference of training.I learned in open water to be neutral at 10-15 to make sure you can hold a safety stop.From there i can take a deep breath start to rise and breathe out doing a nice slow ascent the last 10-15ft.

There are a lot of different opinions on this.Some do the surface check with water at eye level with a full tank and some say you need to neutral at the surface with an empty tank which also makes sense.

The good thing is that if your getting your training from fithd it dont get no better than them.Im sure they will get you squared away as from what i have heard they are great.

 

[Uncle Pug]

kalvyn once bubbled...
If I start out with the BP and a 12# weight belt, that's only 20# total weight, or about half of what I wear now. That can't be enought weight, can it?

Yes, it can be enough if you don't load your drysuit with air and you are using steel tanks... but if you are still diving the AL80 then you will need to add a channel weight or carry more on the belt.

 

[tech3324]

tampascott once bubbled...

Is there any reason that wearing a weight belt is not a good idea with this set-up, and does it interfere with the lower strap of the harness? Is the belt sitting below the harness strap, and I assume you put it (the belt) on first? (Been a long time since I wore a weight belt!)

Diving wet in a Henderson 5/7, LP steel 80, and weight integrated BC, I carried 19# in my weight belt. Switching to the Pioneer 27 with SS BP, I now carry 9# in the belt, all other gear the same. I figure 6# is due to the SS BP, and the other 4# was due to air trapping in the jacket style BC.

I find that a weight belt works well with the BP & wings. I put the weight belt on first, then the rig. The waist strap sits above the weight belt, and the crotch strap goes over the weight belt. I've practiced ditching the weight belt from under the crotch strap and it's a non-issue in the water, although I would pull it free of the crotch strap before dropping it. My weight belt is the top zippered style with shot bags inside, and is relatively smooth sided. Also, I offset and reversed the buckles on the waist strap and weight belt so there is no confusion as to which is which.

Hope this helps. I had your same concerns about the weight belt when I bought my BP & wings, and I even got the ACB+ pockets. But the weight belt has worked so well that I didn't even try the ACB's.

 

[kalvyn]

lal7176 once bubbled...

[snip]

There are a lot of different opinions on this.Some do the surface check with water at eye level with a full tank and some say you need to neutral at the surface with an empty tank which also makes sense.

The good thing is that if your getting your training from fithd it dont get no better than them.Im sure they will get you squared away as from what i have heard they are great.

Yes, I was taught to do the surface test using an almost empty tank (500 PSI). What you're saying about being neutral at safety stop depth also make sense, however.

Just to be clear, I got my OW cert (and Advanced starting this month) via private lesson and not through any shop per se. I happen to have purchased my Halcyon Pioneer (and a ScubaPro regulator set in the DIR config) through 5ThD (thanks, UP!), and they're the ones that are going to give me my orientation to the equipment. You are correct about them being top notch; I have no fears that they'll get me dialed in, and I have been nothing but impressed with the folks I've dealt with at 5ThD to date.

Jimmie