Weights with BPW

[K930]

Newly minted diver back last fall.

I've been gathering gear over the past few months and can't wait to get diving this spring. Last thing on my list is weights.

Trying to figure out how much weight I'll need, and how to go about it (i.e. weight belt, pockets, weight plate, etc.).


BP/W with SS 6 lb plate and 28lb wing
HP119 steel tank
8/7mm semi-dry suit
I'm 210 lbs.

I've tried the BPW once in a pool with an AL80 with no weights or wetsuit. I was able to descend, but I think a few pounds would have been helpful.

Any input would be great.

Kirk

 

[tbone1004]

you shouldn't need any weight with the al80, likely was the first time you were weighted close to properly, though depending on how much height the 210lbs has to cover, more the merrier.... Depending on how much weight you actualy need for that suit, whether the 119 is a Worthington, or PST, and how overweighted you want to be, I'd go the following route

If you have a DSS plate, go with their weight plates.
If you are open to an STA, try a weighted STA and then use a rubber freediving belt for the final trim weights so you have a few pounds ditchable if you want, which depending on depth is a good idea with that much wetsuit.

You need to hop into the pool and get a proper weight check with you and the suit on, full exposure protection, so booties, gloves, hood. Put mask and snorkel on the edge of a pool, have a buddy with a weight belt at the surface, start with 8lbs, and add a pound at a time until you start sinking on empty lungs. From there you know how much it takes to sink you and your exposure protection.
You know that the 119 is -2lbs, each SS cam band is 1lb, and the backplate with harness is approximately 6lbs negative with hardware, so you've got 10lbs bottom with the rig and tank. In singles I tend to ignore the regulator and fins, but the reg setup is about 2-4lbs negative depending on the reg and how heavy your console is, and if you have neutral fins, the reg will give you the slightly extra weight to allow you to make a more rapid descent if needed. This is a point of contention but I don't think that being 2lbs heavy is really that much of a problem

 

[K930]

Tank is a Worthington.

This is the BP/W: DRIS Dive Gear 28lb BP/W System | Dive Right In Scuba - Plainfield, IL - Dive Right in Scuba

I like the idea of having some ditchable weight.

 

[tbone1004]

so that rig is actually 10lbs negative not 6, STA is 2lbs, SS cam bands are 1lb each, plate+harness+wing are right around 6lbs. In a pool with no exposure protection and an AL80 you should have been pinned to the bottom unless you have a lot of bioprene, but even then we've only had one student in the last 5 or 6 years that had to have a weight belt with that rig *actually a Halcyon eclipse, but that's what the DRiS is based off of*, everyone else is pretty negative even with AL80's. Better breath control will go a long way.

So full weight check is going to be you in all of your exposure protection, find out how much weight is involved to sink you. Instead of a snorkel you can have the tank on the side of the pool with you breathing off of the second stage so you can get to where you are fully submerged. Take whatever weight it took to get you to be neutral in your suit, subtract 14lbs *10 for rig, 2 for tank, and 2 for regulator* and you'll find out how much weight you need. It shouldn't be more than 2-4lbs. That 14lbs is also assuming a bone dry tank, with 700psi in there, you have a full 2lbs of gas so that's some extra ballast for you.

 

[K930]

Very helpful!

So...best way to deal with the 2-4 lbs? Trim pocket(s)? Freediving belt?

 

[tbone1004]

I haven't used a weight belt in years, with twinsets it's a nonissue, but I would go with a standard weight belt or a freediving belt personally. I don't like weight pouches since they clutter your real estate and can limit D-ring placement, but that's just my personal preference. If you want ditchable weight I still prefer belts, but you'd be better off asking someone that uses weight regularly what their preference is. I think TsandM still wears one and she uses a freediving belt, she's a convert. For me pockets are just so bloody expensive to bother with.

 

[danvolker]

Another vote for the freediving belt, if I need any weight....which usually I don't.

 

[Centrals]

Very helpful!

So...best way to deal with the 2-4 lbs? Trim pocket(s)? Freediving belt?

Weight belt! One less item to pack and is readily available FOC from all operators(at least in SE Asia).
The dive guide will always remind you on fins, mask and weight belt before you step into the boat.
I use Al plate + 2kg because I want ditch-able weight.

 

[Peter Guy]

TSandM does use a weight belt (free diving/rubber) and loves it. I hate weight belts and use a DUI harness because I too like the idea (but, in fact, not the reality - don't ask) of ditchable weight. But then we're talking here of salt water, dry suit -- 16 pounds in the harness, 14 on the plate (DSS weight plates).

In the tropics, I'm more likely to put a weight pouch on each camband and just go with that -- no ditchable weight but light enough to swim up (often I'm diving dry anyway so redundant buoyancy) -- or if with a 5mm suit, a little weight on a belt in addition to the weight of the back plate.

 

[decompression]

I go the other way, I don't like weight belts for many reasons and especially if it's only a few pounds. Pouches are great, especially the xs scuba ones that are quick release or if your cheap I use a small loop of bungee on a 2 lb weight. Easily ditch able and only pennies and can be placed almost anywhere. Any easy way to find the weight requirement to sink your suit and bits is put them in a mesh laundry bag and keep adding weights until it sinks (account for fresh or salt water). Then calculate the positive items and neg items then you know what you need for lead.



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