Weights, belt or integrated?
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It ultimately comes down to a matter of personal preference. There are pros and cons to each approach (perceived 'ditchability', security, etc.), but the majority of divers end up with a system they feel most (physically) comfortable with. Determining what system to use is frequently a process of discovery and evolution. For example, I started with a belt, decided I didn't like it because I seemed to have to keep tightening it underwater. I switched to integrated weights when I purchased a Ranger BCD. Then, I found that diving a drysuit with a single AL80 required more weight than I could comfortably put in the weight pockets of my Ranger, so I tried a DUI Weight and Trim harness, which I didn't like. I ended up going to a SS backplate, and back to a weight belt (along with some girth management, which made the fit of the belt more secure). The simplest sequence is to start with a weight belt (keeping in mind there are different types, including a simple piece of webbing, rubber belts, as well as belts with compartments). If a belt works, stay with it. If not, consider an integrated system, or a combination of a belt and a BCD with trim weight pockets.
masterof0
Guest
Definitely agree with Colliam. The one thing that I would add as part of this is to look at how you typically dive. If you are in a situation where you don/doff your gear on a boat or shore, then how you wear the weight isn't as much of an issue. But if you are in a situation where you have to don/doff your gear in water or try to wrangle it into a boat that is a whole different story. I too used to dive a Ranger, but trying to wrangle a 70lb rig (40lb rig + 30lb integrated weights) into a boat was no easy task. (The ease of getting the weights into and out of your rig play a part of this. Some weight pockets are removable while other pockets are not) By moving this weight to a belt, helped tremendously by off loading that weight. With the weight belt, I was able to easily (more easily than the integrated weights) remove my belt and throw it in the boat and then only have ot lift a 40lb rig into the boat.....What a difference. Overall, I just feel it was much easier to manage the two pieces separately than as an integrated unit.
I'm with Masterof0. When I started, I had a weight-integrated BC, but I quickly stopped using the weight integration, because hanging all the weight off my shoulders HURT. Putting 20 lbs on my waist made my life much easier, and it also made moving my gear around easier. To this day, I try to keep all the heavy items off my rig until the last minute, for ease of movement.
Some people don't like heavy weight belts, because they say it causes low back pain. I've never experienced that. I also found putting on a weight belt easier than stuffing heavily laden weight pockets into the BC. But a lot of people use weight integration and like it.
Some people don't like heavy weight belts, because they say it causes low back pain. I've never experienced that. I also found putting on a weight belt easier than stuffing heavily laden weight pockets into the BC. But a lot of people use weight integration and like it.
rstofer
Contributor
You left out some really important information: how much weight do you carry and what gear are you using (bladder/wing lift, tank type, wet/dry). These are important because:
Your bladder/wing must be capable of floating everything attached to it without the support of the diver's wetsuit.
You, without your BC, must be capable of floating while wearing whatever weights are not attached to the BC
This might require a mixed strategy where some of the weight is integrated and some is worn. With a 7/8mm one-piece wetsuit, I use 20# of weight carried in a DUI Weight & Trim Classic harness with a 6# SS backplate and an HP 100 tank that is 2.5# negative at the end of the dive. I am slightly overweighted. When I tried a 2# backplate, I had to swim down the first few feet.
Even if my 30# wing could float my tank, plate and weights, I couldn't physically lift the gear to get it on my shoulders. Putting the harness on separately is a lot more practical, for me.
Then there are backplate weights, tank weights, camband weights, all kinds of weights. I don't use any of them but some might. This whole weight setup thing is highly personal.
Richard
Your bladder/wing must be capable of floating everything attached to it without the support of the diver's wetsuit.
You, without your BC, must be capable of floating while wearing whatever weights are not attached to the BC
This might require a mixed strategy where some of the weight is integrated and some is worn. With a 7/8mm one-piece wetsuit, I use 20# of weight carried in a DUI Weight & Trim Classic harness with a 6# SS backplate and an HP 100 tank that is 2.5# negative at the end of the dive. I am slightly overweighted. When I tried a 2# backplate, I had to swim down the first few feet.
Even if my 30# wing could float my tank, plate and weights, I couldn't physically lift the gear to get it on my shoulders. Putting the harness on separately is a lot more practical, for me.
Then there are backplate weights, tank weights, camband weights, all kinds of weights. I don't use any of them but some might. This whole weight setup thing is highly personal.
Richard
NorthWoodsDiver
Contributor
I would suggest you look into a harness weight system like the DUI weight and trim or the scubapro if you have anything more then 10lbs of lead to carry on your waist. there is zero chance that the harness will come off by releasing the buckle and its more comfortable. but if your in warm water thats just one more bulky item and usually weight harnesses dont mate well with bcd's compared to a BP/W. A BP/W is capable of removing 6 or even more lbs from your belt so if you have a lot of weight this may be a good option too.
awdemeo
Contributor
i use integreated weight up to 24 lbs once i hit that i then split the weight between a belt and integrated this is due to the use of a jacket style BCD and having to walk to the water.
It can become a progression for some people. Those that do not dive very often usually just use the basic web weight belt that is standard issue in the basic SCUBA class. Those of us that dive a lot find better ways to distribute the lead.
I used pockets on my DiveRite rig for a couple of years, but like TSandM stated it tends to be heavy on the sholders and also hard on the back when you are out of the water. I decided to try the DUI weight system because it is very similar to the commercial diving weight belt I find to be comfortable: DUI - Weight & Trim Systems Sea Soft also makes a similar system: SeaSoft Scuba Products
I like the harness because you can move the weight around to find your trim position. I wear it with the weight at my hips insted of around my waist and it has relieved the stress on my lower back as well as trim me out horizontally when diving. I also found it helps a lot to have less weight on my rig (i.e. BC with tank). Makes it easier to heft.
I used pockets on my DiveRite rig for a couple of years, but like TSandM stated it tends to be heavy on the sholders and also hard on the back when you are out of the water. I decided to try the DUI weight system because it is very similar to the commercial diving weight belt I find to be comfortable: DUI - Weight & Trim Systems Sea Soft also makes a similar system: SeaSoft Scuba Products
I like the harness because you can move the weight around to find your trim position. I wear it with the weight at my hips insted of around my waist and it has relieved the stress on my lower back as well as trim me out horizontally when diving. I also found it helps a lot to have less weight on my rig (i.e. BC with tank). Makes it easier to heft.
Something that may have not been covered:
Think about what kind of BC and or thermal protection you'll be wearing. I found a weight belt to be a PITA with my BP/W when I first got it, and then I got a drysuit and it was just ridiculous. I did one dive with it, couldn't stand it(weight belt kept wanting to slide off me) and then tried someones DUI harness. That harness kicks ass, but it was also a lot of bulk/extra straps. I eventually got these cool little XS Scuba weight pockets that I slide on my waist-webbing and are held in place between the hip d-ring's and BP.
The DUI harness is awesome, but try it out and consider whether the extra "Stuff" is OK with you. Keep in mind it's quite pricey, too. But I wouldn't dive a drysuit with a weight belt again, it was just annoying as could be.
Think about what kind of BC and or thermal protection you'll be wearing. I found a weight belt to be a PITA with my BP/W when I first got it, and then I got a drysuit and it was just ridiculous. I did one dive with it, couldn't stand it(weight belt kept wanting to slide off me) and then tried someones DUI harness. That harness kicks ass, but it was also a lot of bulk/extra straps. I eventually got these cool little XS Scuba weight pockets that I slide on my waist-webbing and are held in place between the hip d-ring's and BP.
The DUI harness is awesome, but try it out and consider whether the extra "Stuff" is OK with you. Keep in mind it's quite pricey, too. But I wouldn't dive a drysuit with a weight belt again, it was just annoying as could be.
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