Women and everything being heavy in scuba diving

[Kimela]

Clearly, tanks are the heaviest of the gear. But all the other stuff adds up quickly as well. We have purchased mesh gear bags to lug our gear to and from dive boats, but invariably my best solution has been to wear my BC (unlatched), loop my reg around my neck, put my fins in one hand and then carry a smaller bag, with the rest of my stuff, in my other hand. It's easier on my body to have most of the weight evenly distributed on my body.

Also a +1 on working smarter and not harder. Just because you can lift the heavy stuff doesn't mean you must or you should. An injury sustained while lifting heavy stuff (and sometimes light stuff, if lifting incorrectly) will keep you out of the water indefinitely - and it's just not worth it to say "I lift my own gear". IMO.

 

[dalaimama]

How do I deal with heavy weights? I lift with my legs.

I lift heavier at the gym than I've ever had to lift diving.

 

[ange2014]

Yep, struggle with the heavy equipment every single time. Assistance from the dive centre staff or fellow divers are always very very much appreciated!!

 

[xmass-Eve]

I always carry my gear and the gear from my students. Women aren't less than men! The only time when I needed help, is when i fell when climbing out a river with a steel tank and 16 pounds of lead on and I couldn't get up...

 

[Cali_diver]

I always carry my gear and the gear from my students. Women aren't less than men! The only time when I needed help, is when i fell when climbing out a river with a steel tank and 16 pounds of lead on and I couldn't get up...

Yep... I have had that happen. Fell in the surf on a smooth boulder entry...I tried so hard to get up but in the end had to start painfully crawling. Luckily a couple guys came to help... I was very thankful and just super proud of myself for not dropping/losing my fins or my camera. I did say a few cuss words though!

 

[boulderjohn]

This is not a male/female thing. Putting my gear on in a few feet of water in Aurora Reservoir with my Worthington LP 108 doubles, I lost my balance and fell. I absolutely needed help getting up. Lots of it.

 

[tarponchik]

Yep, struggle with the heavy equipment every single time. Assistance from the dive centre staff or fellow divers are always very very much appreciated!!

If you need help, don't be shy to ask. I became very reluctant to offer help since too many women take this as an offense.

 

[Akimbo]

Women aren't less than men!

Of course they are. I guarantee that my lovely bride is far LESS likely to do something stupid and kill herself than I am.

 

[Marie13]

Of course they are. I guarantee that my lovely bride is far LESS likely to do something stupid and kill herself than I am.

Women are far less likely to be risk takers than the fellers.

 

[Steveed]

I read all the posts, great thread.

We train inexperienced people at the machine shop I work at to be skilled machinists.

Regardless of gender, if a newer employee is relatively short, we can get them a moveable stepping platform; if they don't have the arm strength to torque something properly with an average wrench, they can use an extention (cheater) or pneumatic tool; and, if it's too heavy to lift or move, they can get a second person, a lifting device, a bridge crane, and even riggers.

The point is, what I really care about is their math ability, attention to detail, teamwork, and aptitude for putting out perfect machined parts at the end of the day, and that's 100% mind.

That said, I am grateful to have learned about lifting free weights back in highschool from the trainer who was there at the time. Regardless of the amount of weight, I think technique is key.