Weights or no weights?

[paolov]

Weights or no weights ,that is my question. I am aware that the reason for using weights is to neutralize the bouyant force of wetsuits. I agree to this especially when i was using a 3mm suit.

However, i dive here in the philippines and i have since learned that i don't need a wet suit at all. Ever since i used a backplate and bladder i also realized that i don't need any weights at all.

Taking those into consideration, is it DOING IT RIGHT not to take on weights at all when i can do a safety stop with 500 psi on my tank


Your Doing It Right comments please. thanks

 

[MHK]

Weights or no weights ,that is my question. I am aware that the reason for using weights is to neutralize the bouyant force of wetsuits. I agree to this especially when i was using a 3mm suit.

However, i dive here in the philippines and i have since learned that i don't need a wet suit at all. Ever since i used a backplate and bladder i also realized that i don't need any weights at all.

Taking those into consideration, is it DOING IT RIGHT not to take on weights at all when i can do a safety stop with 500 psi on my tank


Your Doing It Right comments please. thanks

The best way to consider this situation is to bear in mind that what a diver is trying to balance is if in a situation where he/she looses inflation can the diver get to the surface. Normally that means a balance between ditchable weight and non-ditchable weight. In your specific scenario, given the warm water and lack of neoprene the SS BP provides sufficent weight to hold your stop at 500 psi at 10'. So the question then becomes, can you swim up the weight of the SS BP with a full tank?? My sense is that the added 6 lbs of weight from the SS BP isn't overly burdensome and I wouldn't switch from the BP to ditchable weights in the fact pattern that you desribed above.

Hope that helps..

Later

 

[zimm]

I'm also not using weights. I dive a 5mm suit in salt water with a Halcyon pioneer and 6lb. backplate. I started taking 2 lbs off my belt each dive until I figured out I don't need any weights. I'm comfortable swimming up with a deflated rig and full tank.

 

[docmartin]

i don't need weights in warm water either. so much nicer!

 

[paolov]

so are we doing it right?

:33:

paolov

 

[ElectricZombie]

so are we doing it right?

:33:

paolov

Yes, as long as the rig is balanced.

 

[paolov]

thats a nice reassuarance.

now what if i dive as a DM, should i bring extra weights just incase an OW on a safety stop gets bouyant with less than 500psi on their tank?

paolov

 

[ElectricZombie]

thats a nice reassuarance.
now what if i dive as a DM, should i bring extra weights just incase an OW on a safety stop gets bouyant with less than 500psi on their tank?
paolov

It would be easier to make sure they are weighted properly before entering the water. If you still feel like you need some extra weight for the safety stop, I would find a way to secure some extra weight to the hangline for such a purpose.

 

[jplacson]

I'd strongly recommend against diving without a wetsuit... flowing water over your skin cools your body a lot faster and slows down your metabolic rate, increasing your chances of DCS. The point of a wetsuit is not to keep you from getting cold, it's to keep you warm. Even in a tropical climate, water is still cooler than body temp.

Anyway, that aside... paolo, are you using a 6# SS BP or a 2# AL BP? Do you use an STA or are you on the adapterless Halcyon Pioneer? Anyway, AFAIK, DIR would rather not have any ditchable weight at all since ditching weight shouldn't even be considered.

Seems that most people on a BP/W rig don't use weights at all. It's really great not having any lead on your waist... or even having to wear that annoying weight belt.

 

[E-Boat]

Weight or not weight is you personal. I think DIR is just a guid line not rule. Who care if you doin fine in da water.