weights with bpw

[SteveC]

When using a bpw do you have to wear a weight belt, or can they be attached to the plate?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[CIBDiving]

They can be Both. I personaly don't like a weight belt, I'd rather use an integrated design than an old fashion belt.

There are a couple of draw backs to weight integration in general, you can find them discused in various threads, I'm not going to enumerate them. There are also a couple of good things about it.

One thing that is 'difficult' about most 2" webbing harnesses is they don't stay in position well as you don the rig - it's rather easy to get twist in them. The old style OMS pockets are a bit of an exception. but they are also different in the attach ment compared to Most too.

Depending on how much weight you need you get into a situation of all the weight on your back, if you were to use (for example only) DSS's "weight plates".

It's rather better to spread the weight around the body, at least evenly on the sides. That way you don't have a tendancy to "turn turtle". It also makes it a litle easier to adjust your trim, it's easier to move a few pounds here or there then to move 20 lbs.

if you need say 12 lbs - it might be better to have 4lbs of plate and 4 lbs on each hip.

 

[PerroneFord]

There are any number of weighting options with a backplate. Some wear a weightbelt, some attach weights onto the belt (much like an integrated weight BC) you can attach weights to the camstraps, you can use a weighted single tank adapter, you can use weightplates with some models of BP, you can use two BP's together, you can purchase an extra heavy BP, you can use a channel weight that goes into the center channel, you can use a tailweight that attaches to the lower bolt hole.

Or you can dive heavier tanks.

I think that covers most options.

 

[Jason Ooi]

I knew Halcyon came with tank-mounted, weight can be attached to your tank, Weighted Single Tank Adapter and V weight.

Halcyon http://www.halcyon.net/mc/weights.shtml

OMS - Weight Pouch http://www.omsdive.com/bc_access.html

 

[cool_hardware52]

When using a bpw do you have to wear a weight belt, or can they be attached to the plate?

Thanks,
Steve

I you hang all your ballast on your rig you might need a bigger wing. Keep in mind that with a SS back plate (and maybe a STA or weight plates) your remaining ballast requirements maybe quite small.

A 20 lbs weightbelt is a pain, a 10lbs weight belt is less of a pain, a 4 lbs weight belt is trivial.

What is your total weighting requirement?


Tobin

 

[SpiderSense]

I purchased a pair of those Halycon Tank-mounted Trim Weight Kit with the intent on sliding them upside-down on the waist belt way back against the back plate. this way, i can drop the weights if needed. with the DSS backplate, those trim pockets should easily hold enough weight for me.

I believe the OMS pockets also have the velcro and snap locks, so they probably can be mounted upside down as well.

going on the trip this weekend! let me know if anyone has tried this before.

 

[victor]

What should you do if you are heavy without a weight belt.
e.g. In warm water I need about 8lbs with an ALU 80 and my BC. If I switch to a big steel tank and a SS backplate I am going to be negative without a weight belt.

Is it safe to dive in this configuration?

 

[cool_hardware52]

What should you do if you are heavy without a weight belt.
e.g. In warm water I need about 8lbs with an ALU 80 and my BC. If I switch to a big steel tank and a SS backplate I am going to be negative without a weight belt.

Is it safe to dive in this configuration?

It's never a good idea to be overweighted. You can use a lightweight backplate and a lightweight steel tank. There are several steel tanks that are close to neutral when empty. You can also continue to use AL tanks.

Part of the appeal of heavy steel tanks, HP 80 for example, is they reduce the amount of weight required when using a thick exposure suit. There are other alternatives.


Tobin

 

[jeffrey-c]

From Halcyon's web site:

DIR Tip 12
The choice of cylinders should be made to accommodate body size, breathing rate, dive profiles and diving environments. Improper cylinder choice contributes to buoyancy control problems, and thus increases environmental damage and diver risk.

Failure to match the appropriate cylinders with your style of exposure suit and buoyancy control system can also prove fatal-- steel back cylinders and stages, when used with a thin wetsuit, can result in uncontrolled descents.

 

[crlavoie]

I have a DSS single rig and the slickest system I've found is the Zeagle Zip touch pockets. They attach directly to the plate and slide over the webbing to hold them in close. They hold more than enough weight and it's easily ditchable (one pocket at a time even).

They also take up very little space on the weight belt. You would be hard pressed to notice.