Wing and Weights

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LavaSurfer

LavaSurfer

Contributor
Scuba Instructor
Divemaster
Messages
929
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Location
Maryland / Kona / Roatan
# of dives
500 - 999
OK, Got my new DSS wing and love it. Getting it all rigged the way "I" like it and have one question.

Do I use my weight belt for ditchable weight or do I use some kind of pocket. I am assuming I will need about 4# in Warm Water but maybe 6#. The Plate is 6# and I dive with 8-10 with my jacket BC.

The Belt should obviously go on last as I have a crotch strap but some kind of pocket might be more convinent

Any opinions would be appreciated
 
There are a couple schools of thought on that.

First question is, how important is ditchable weight. Generally this is only something to address on the surface when the wing is inflated and fails. At depth, I'd think they extra 4 pounds wouldn't make any difference in your ability to swim the rig to the surface.

Second is whether or not you will be changing you weight often, ie wetsuit to drysuit, etc. This is the case for me.

I use the DR pockets because the weight belt won't stay on the hips I don't have. :D
 
LavaSurfer:
OK, Got my new DSS wing and love it. Getting it all rigged the way "I" like it and have one question.

Do I use my weight belt for ditchable weight or do I use some kind of pocket. I am assuming I will need about 4# in Warm Water but maybe 6#. The Plate is 6# and I dive with 8-10 with my jacket BC.

The Belt should obviously go on last as I have a crotch strap but some kind of pocket might be more convinent

Any opinions would be appreciated
Click to expand...


You can use a weight belt, or something else. I second the recommendation for the XS pockets:
http://www.scuba.com/shop/product.asp?category=225&fromsearch=1&hashvalue=044049
Cheap and they work great. I use a triglide to hold the pocket in place up against the plate. I used this in Cozumel all last week and it worked extremely well.
 
Check with Tobin at DSS. I have one too, and I believe the plate is actually 5 pounds, although I could be wrong about that. I don't use any additional weight in a 3 mil suit in fresh water. I use an XS Scuba weight belt for any extra ditchable weight I need. In salt water that is 6 additional pounds for my 3 mil suit. Lots more for 7 mil plus hood, gloves, etc. in cold water. If you are going to be doing any cold water diving, get the additional weight plates from DSS. They are easy to attach -weigh 8 pounds.

I have found, for me at least, that it is easier to put on the weight belt first, not quite completely tight, then thread the crotch strap under it, then tighten it the weight belt a little bit more. I tried threading the strap under the weight belt when it was completely tight, but it was hard to do.
 
This question up yesterday and I am in the same position as well. The consensus seems to be split between the belt and putting XS Scuba type pockets directly on the webbing. I'm currently using a belt with XS pockets but I'm going to try it directly on the harness this weekend.

BTW, 4-6 lbs is pretty small. I would put it directly on the harness, IMHOP. Also, I should point out that my trim requirements changed substantially with the DSS singles rig (for the better of course). You may find that you need that weight somewhere else.
 
I am new to the DSS backplate and wing as well. Love it Tobin!!! I use a weight belt as I dive in the cold water. I have always been one that hates the weight belt (love integrated) but since I carry so little when I dive now (steel tanks too), the belt isn't a problem.
 
Thanks everyone for the replies.

I like the idea of the XS pockets as I have no idea whet I will need trim wise in open water. My only experience is in the pool with the DSS and it was sweet there but OW is a different bear.

Your right, the plate may only be 5# not 6#

Where do you wear your weights on the harness, Waist?
I like the idea of them on the tank straps but that doesn't make them ditchable but then like was said, I can swim it up no problem. Its not tat much weight and I hope to be only dealing with 4-5 lbs extra at the start of the dive anyway.
 
Two thoughts...

You may not need as much weight as you think. Lots of jacket BCs have more inherent positive buoyancy than your wing and often people will a few pounds less with their new BP/wing combo. So, if you needed a total of 10 pounds with your jacket, then you might only need 7 or 8 with your new wing... and five or six pounds of that is in your BP and harness hardware.

With a shorty you most likely will need more weight than just a 5 or 6 pound backplate, though. But with this little amount of weight whether it is ditchable or not won't matter much.

I have some ideas but you probably won't like 'em. :D
 
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