Weights Question.....

[ksk2004]

Hey Everyone, fairly new to Div'n, and picking up some gear as I can aford it (mostly used)

Have a few questions about weight integrated BCds
I just picked up a used BCD from a dive shop, (Genesis Phantom). I like the feel of it and it seems te feel good on, Im going to try it out this afternoon after work....

here is my questions

1) weight being used, I am using 4lbs in each back pouch and 9lbs in each removable pouches (26lbs total), should I remove the weights after a dive? is it a problem leaving them in the BCD?

2) I made up my own weights for the pouches, used lead and weighed it, formed it to fit properly around my waist (wont dig in) Is this ok to do???


I use a 7mm wet suit and 6mm hood/Gloves/Boots, that is why I need so much weight.

thanks a bunch,
Ken
:06:

 

[Xanthro]

I remove the weights, since it helps dry out the pouches.

As to making your own weights, I'm sure it can be done safely, but I can't state that yours are.

You want to ensure that the weights can dry, and won't tear apart, or spill out.

Xanthro

 

[CaptSaaz]

I concur... I remove the weights also afterwards to help dry everything. I wear a 7mm wetsuit also and carry 28lbs of weights. I'm putting 5+5 in the back pouches and 9 in each dumpable pouch. Really helps having some trim there in the back inflate BCD.

 

[ksk2004]

Thanks, I'll take them out after tonights diveas for the weights falling apart, they are made up of lead sheets, cut to fit the pouches, edges rounded and curved to form fit.

thanks a bunch
Ken

 

[ChrisA]

1) weight being used, I am using 4lbs in each back pouch and 9lbs in each removable pouches (26lbs total), should I remove the weights after a dive? is it a problem leaving them in the BCD?

2) I made up my own weights for the pouches, used lead and weighed it, formed it to fit properly around my waist (wont dig in) Is this ok to do???

:06:

The weight seems about right given the water temp in yur location.
Makig your own weights seems the hard way to have money. The good "soft weights" sell for only US$2 per pound.

As for leaving the weights in. I find that it's real hard to clean the BC after a dive if it has weights still in place. You need to dunk it and swish it around and if you've been beach diving it sometimes takes effort to get all the sand out of a BC. It's just hard to handle "loaded"

 

[ksk2004]

thanks Chris
yea I know, its about $2.50 canadian a pound here (26lbs X 2.50 = $65.00), but I had access to the lead for free and thougth Id give it a try last night, turned out pretty nice, If I say so myself, there are 3 plates each side (this way I can reduce the amount of weight if need be) The thing I was trying to accomplish was getting it to be comfortable and not digging into my sides. I think Ive accomplished that, will find out tonight.

guess I just want to be sure that its OK to do that, I havent heard of anyone ever doing it.... and was not sure why?

I agree about the cleaning, never thought of that, thanks for the heads up

cya
Ken

 

[Xanthro]

Question, how did you cut the sheets, and more importantly, how did you round them?

Vaporized lead is very dangerous, especially for childern. Using something like a dremel or file to round off the sharp edges could be very dangerous.

Xanthro

 

[RonDawg]

In regards to removing weights after each dive, in addition to easier cleaning some dive boat operators require that divers with weight integrated BC's leave the weights out until you are ready to do the dive. This is so that the tanks are less likely to topple over in choppy seas.

 

[underwater daphne]

and the weights will spoil your gear. you bcd is made to handle the weight, but if it has to take the strain 24/7 the pouch won't last long.

 

[pasley]

...1) weight being used, I am using 4lbs in each back pouch and 9lbs in each removable pouches (26lbs total), should I remove the weights after a dive? is it a problem leaving them in the BCD?

Yes, easier to clean and pouches will last longer

...
2) I made up my own weights for the pouches, used lead and weighed it, formed it to fit properly around my waist (wont dig in) Is this ok to do???

Probably, I like lead shot best.

...
I use a 7mm wet suit and 6mm hood/Gloves/Boots, that is why I need so much weight.

Probably not.

I cant say for sure with out knowing more, how much do you weigh etc.? But in general… No.
That is too much weight. I weigh 148, height 72 inches, 7mm wetsuit, 7/5mm hood/vest, gloves and boots. Weights 20 lbs and I could probably drop 2-4 lbs off that. Most new divers require more weight because:
1. They take a big breath just before they go down. Lungs full of air add buoyancy of several pounds. Descending means exhale, exhale, exhale and when you don’t think you can exhale anymore, exhale again.
2. Many new diver also unconsciously kick or fin up (caught myself several times, in fact I have to consciously watch for this.) which of course pushes them up. Moving anything (arms, legs etc) when trying to descend creates lift which is not what you want.
3. New divers are often under the misconception that they should sink like a rock very quickly. A properly weighted diver will sink slowly, particularly in the first 10 feet as they are only barely negative (diving an AL tank you would add enough weight to get negative plus 4 pounds for the weight shift of the tank).
4. Breath control. A huge deep breath is not necessary while diving, unless you want to rise in the water column. But many new divers are breathing unnaturally and using deep, chest expanding breaths, and forcefully exhaling. Just relax and breathe normally. If you are hearing your breath and thinking about your breathing, you are probably forcing it and using too much air. Taking deep breaths all the time means you need to wear more weight to counteract that the buoyancy of a big lung full of air. Otherwise they would be shooting to the surface when they take a breath.

These factors also contribute significantly to the newer divers using more air. How is your air consumption? I will also tell you I dove 26 pounds of lead when I first started out diving too. Once I got past the 4 points listed above, I dropped to 20 pounds. I have even; in a pinch dove with 16 lbs, and was still able to continue the dive until my AL80 tank go to 1000PSI. So for now, it sounds like you are doing fine and everything is normal until you get more comfortable in the water. But the above 4 points, if you can master them should help you to shed some lead.