Weights - DIR way

[Tollie]

Hi,

I can offer some perspective from the perspective of a recreational DIR diver. Perhaps one of the big dogs will weigh in.

The issue of ditchable or non-ditchable weights is a mute point. The thinking goes like this. Proper weighting requires that you think of the cylinder type (weight) and weight of gas at the beginning of the dive/ exposure protection (its buoyancy characteristics) body type (floater or sinker) and environment (salt or fresh) and any additional weights as a unit. You should be able to swim your way to the surface in the event of a catastrophic loss of your wing or the loss of any other buoyancy device… i.e. dry suit or lift bag/ surface marker that you may be carrying. If you can’t swim your way up you have a problem…

Also remember that you are diving as a team and that your team members will be at hand to give you assistance in the event of complete buoyancy failure.

 

[salty]

A weight harness, such as the DUI Weight and Trim II, BJD

The harness is not DIR and not needed for 4-8 pounds.

 

[maximdim]

Thanks everybody for opinions.

Now my next question is going to be - if I don't have any dichable weights - I should be able to swim up _at least_ weights of gas in my tanks at the beginning of the dive, right? Which in my case is around 15lb. Is it considered to be acceptable? I know that I've got to try it myself, but anyway?

 

[UWSojourner]

The harness is not DIR and not needed for 4-8 pounds.

Why isn't a harness DIR?

 

[BigJetDriver]

Gentlemen,

My apologies for my earlier cranky response!

BJD :anakinpod

 

[jonnythan]

The interesting thing is that it looks like my post was deleted, and no one told me.

 

[VTernovski]

Why isn't a harness DIR?

a weight belt pockets/suspenders will have these very long pull down flaps flying around... that jus adds convolution to your whole setup. Also those big yellow pull-out loops are just another entanglement hazard. anything can catch through those loops and pull on it or trap you - hence it's not DIR. That's just my observation.

 

[UWSojourner]

a weight belt pockets/suspenders will have these very long pull down flaps flying around... that jus adds convolution to your whole setup. Also those big yellow pull-out loops are just another entanglement hazard. anything can catch through those loops and pull on it or trap you - hence it's not DIR. That's just my observation.

Thanks for the explanation.

 

[fdog]

Gentlemen,

My apologies for my earlier cranky response!

BJD :anakinpod

Couldn't tell it was a cranky one, looked very polite as you always are!

All the best, James

(edit)
Oops... after reading Jon's post, obviously I came into something late...still...takes a real gentleman to appoligize...

 

[GSmith]

I has a Trim II. The adjusters would not hold their adjustment and there is not a fore-aft adjustment like on the original DUI Weight & Trim belt that is still available. If you buy on of these, go for the original.
Greg

All,

A weight harness, such as the DUI Weight and Trim II, is far more comfortable than a standard weight belt. It is much kinder to your back. It also makes ditching half of your weight easy and makes worrying about the ole under or over thing a "non-problem". Cheers!

BJD :anakinpod