weighting and dry suits

[Genesis]

I have picked up a DUI W&T system and like it, BUT for one thing - the release handles.

They are a potential snag risk, and losing a pouch unintentionally would be REAL BAD in a Drysuit.

I am thinking about modifying mine to put something much harder to ACCIDENTALLY release on them in place of the big yellow "pull rings", which would make them safe for penetration dives (no more risk than a standard belt under the crotch strap), which would resolve my ONLY issue with the system.

Of course I'm sure that DUI would strongly recommend AGAINST such a modification, but I'm a big boy and can think for myself

 

[IndigoBlue]

I have picked up a DUI W&T system and like it, BUT for one thing - the release handles.

They are a potential snag risk, and losing a pouch unintentionally would be REAL BAD in a Drysuit.

I am thinking about modifying mine to put something much harder to ACCIDENTALLY release on them in place of the big yellow "pull rings", which would make them safe for penetration dives (no more risk than a standard belt under the crotch strap), which would resolve my ONLY issue with the system.

Of course I'm sure that DUI would strongly recommend AGAINST such a modification, but I'm a big boy and can think for myself

Mr. Genesis is right, the accidental release factor could be a problem with suspendered weight systems, and not only that, but also with the integrated weight B/Cs.

No system is perfect, it seems.

 

[Bob3]

A weight harness (check out the Poseidon Technica) will allow your weight to be adjusted on your body w/o the risk of sliding/slipping. You can even wear them down on yer butt & have all sorts of air in your feet (not recommended though).
The Poseidon Technica reminds me of some of the gear I had my parachute rigger make up for me, secure as heck but with maximim reliability.
http://www.poseidon.se/ The weight harness is under "Misc" (won't allow direct linking)
I did manage to lift a pic though: http://www.poseidon.se/bild.dip?id=331
Heck, here's their whole catalog as a 1.4mb PDF file: http://www.dyk-brand.se/download/Eng_Poseidon_catalogue2003.pdf

 

[Genesis]

Yeah, you can accidentally drop a regular belt too.

But I can control that somewhat by running it under my crotch strap. It will release, but not fall free without a lot of warning.

The problem with integrated systems like this is that you COULD lose them without warning; I'm still playing with the DUI system to see if it is acceptable in that department in terms of risk, and haven't made my decision yet.

I suspect I'll have to modify the "pulls" to make it "safe enough" for me to use in an overhead.

The Poseidon system looks suspiciously like a DUI W&T....

 

[Bob3]

The Poseidon system looks suspiciously like a DUI W&T....

Couldn't be, it only cost about half as much.
It uses a ripcord-style release, same stuff as on sport parachute packs.

I suspect I'll have to modify the "pulls" to make it "safe enough" for me to use in an overhead.

Don't forget that you can thread the belt ends through the loops for overheads, no way they'll get pulled that way w/o opening the main SS buckle

 

[Genesis]

Couldn't be, it only cost about half as much.
It uses a ripcord-style release, same stuff as on sport parachute packs.

Don't forget that you can thread the belt ends through the loops for overheads, no way they'll get pulled that way w/o opening the main SS buckle

Actually, the DUI system kinda does too. It has a funky heavy mono line thing (kinda like weedeater line) that goes through loops to release the pouches from the backing. Its somewhat elegant...

I thought of the "thread the needle" thing, but not sure I like it for other reasons.... I'm still considering whether to "keep" things as they sit or modify it....

 

[IndigoBlue]

A weight harness (check out the Poseidon Technica) will allow your weight to be adjusted on your body w/o the risk of sliding/slipping. You can even wear them down on yer butt & have all sorts of air in your feet (not recommended though).
The Poseidon Technica reminds me of some of the gear I had my parachute rigger make up for me, secure as heck but with maximim reliability.
http://www.poseidon.se/ The weight harness is under "Misc" (won't allow direct linking)
I did manage to lift a pic though: http://www.poseidon.se/bild.dip?id=331
Heck, here's their whole catalog as a 1.4mb PDF file: http://www.dyk-brand.se/download/Eng_Poseidon_catalogue2003.pdf

Nice photo of the weight harness system, Bob-O !!

It still has those big-azzz ripcord rings in the front though. But it definitely solves the problem of slipping off.

I hate when things slip off by themselves. Especially when:

3. Your weight belt slips off ...
2. Your pee valve detaches ...
1. etc.

Oh well, enough said about slippage. I believe suspenders of some sort will eventually solve all of these problems. Or duct tape.

Regarding weights, my overall solution is this:

A. Use a pouch weight belt for 10 lbs of quickly ditch-able weight
B. Use an integrated B/C with the ripcord "woven" so that it does NOT easily ditch
C. Use steel tanks

I know I can always reach down and ditch the 10 lb weight belt, particularly at the surface.

I can ditch the remainder of the weights if needed in a second attempt, although with a drysuit, and good trim, a second ditching should not be necessary. Just inflate the suit, if the wing fails.

For freediving in warm water, the 10 lb pouch weight belt works well with a thin wetsuit. And you do not suffer slippage as much when you only have 10 lbs on your belt. That is what makes an integrated B/C so versatile, together with a pouch weight belt and soft weights. Maybe the wave of the future, maybe not. Everyone is different.

 

[Brian Gilpin]

I used ankle weights when I got my first drysuit. I knew something was wrong when OW students were outfinning me. I realized my trim was terrible and I got tired right too easily. Lost the weights and life was good again. I too like the idea of spreading the weight between BC and belt. BTW Rick some of us will be in Monterey Jan 24 and 25. Any chance you can make it?
There will be an AOW and boat dives going on also I believe.

 

[ABQdiver]

I have picked up a DUI W&T system and like it, BUT for one thing - the release handles.

I've seen these at the DUI Demo days, but didn't try them. I use a soft weight belt that I like. It doesn't slip and is comfortable to wear.

One question that crossed my mind is how do you remove the weights when diving a smaller boat that you need to hand up your belt and BC before coming aboard? With the smaller pockets I could see me losing a weight or having to rethread the thing. I'm probably missing something, but I'd like to know if this can/could be a problem..

 

[Bob3]

I'm probably missing something, but I'd like to know if this can/could be a problem.

You don't dump the weights from the harness, you take the whole thing off. Pity the poor guys on the boat that have to hoist the weight integrated BCs over the rail.