Weight Belts - Yes or No? - Scuba Tech Tips: S03E15
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- čas přidán 16. 05. 2016
- With todays weight integrated BCD's, are weight belts now obsolete? Alec explains that a weight belt is still very useful in certain dive situations for diver comfort and safety.
**** Alec Peirce Scuba ****
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Scuba 2000 is a busy store.
That 'siren' noise is our front door alarm - let's us know when a customer has entered.
We try to shoot off hours but even then we get an occasional visitor.
Thanks for watching.
Alec
Alec, I love your videos. I'm an experienced diver but didn't have my own full gear. Got a lot of information from your videos and bought a full set now.
As usual, great vid Alec, thank you so much.
This as well as one of the other BC videos from Alec has really made me take another look at how I'm distributing my weight- Excellent broad scope information that can really help a person drill down to what's important given their own setup and make adjustments as necessary. Awesome series!
There is no 'one size fits all' when it comes to weights - amounts or distribution.
Each diver must play until he comes up with a workable system.
Good luck Eno.
Alec
This is a great series - common sense based on vast experience.
Thanks Paul. Alec
good info given to divers as always, please keep them coming! :)
Great information you provide to us as always on utilizing weights and choices we can make.
Glad it was helpful!
Another very good idea of splitting weights between the BCD and belt is security. In case you lose your belt (it happened to me onde), you still have some weights in your BCD. Also, in the more unusual event of needing to take of the BCD, you still have weight on you (belt). Form me, this is the most important reason to split the weights. And it's comfortable.. great :)
Very practical and saving money advice. Diving in 13C water I use 5mm and 10kg of led. Pain in my arms if only in BCD pockets. Actually everything heavy I got rests on my arms.Now I'm gonna take part of the weight to the belt. Also if I have to drop it... pockets SLS costs.
Thanks for sharing your cold water setup tips.
Still loving the videos! Keep them coming, and I still can't wait for your vintage videos, if you still plan on doing them. Thanks for taking the time to give out valuable information!
+Neal Vintage is coming soon!
Thanks for watching Neal.
Alec
+Scuba 2000 Awesome! Can't weight ;)
we like your scuba tech tips,thx from the Netherlands
I have a lot of friends in the Netherlands> My wife's family is from Holland.
Thanks for watching.
Alec
thanks for the tips about weights it helped alot...
I am so glad to that very clear explains
Glad you liked it.
nice well done. very good. TY very much
I use integrated weights because I have trouble keeping a weight belt on. I did receive weight belt suspenders as a Christmas present from my dive buddy!
Thank you for choosing to translate into Arabic, I have benefited a lot from you
You are very welcome.
Thanks, good info
Hey Alec.. to check buoyancy, without air supply .. my buddy came up freaking out... AHHHH.. I ALMOST DROWNED!! lol.. what the heck.. he said the backpack made him roll over on his back, and could hardly recover .. imagine a turtle on it's back, on a road with it's arms and legs flapping.. ya.. just like that. after that, I practiced rolling over and recovering.. I bit difficult, but was possible. Two lessons learnt.. a slim line multi-pocket, snugly fitted backpack for weights, is a must, the other.. no experimenting without air supply. . Cheers Alec.. we live for another day of fun diving.
Thanks for the funny story John. I have seen a lot of student 'turtle divers', lots of fun until they understand weight placement and balance. Take care.
I like using a weight harness rather then a belt when I need a lot of weight (i.e. drysuit with heavy undergarments). Easy to dump weight if needed and it helps make up for the fact that I have no hips and no butt to help hold a traditional weight belt up. Biggest issue with it can be that it does tend to position the weight lower on my body than a BCD does. A few pounds of trim weight positioned up high on the tank however levels me right out.
I highly recommend your channel to all divers, good no-nonsense info presented exceptionally well.
Your comments are right on Steve.
And thanks for the support.
Alec
Same. When diving in cold water in a semi dry, i use a harness. But in the tropics when not using any wetsuit, i use a belt.
Being a big guy, i need a lot of weight.
Funny story, when using a semi dry i also need ankle weights otherwise i end up head down fins up.
Thank u sooo much 👍
Thanks for watching Rrr.
Alec
Great advice...what great teaching and philosophy with it.. seen soft weights but didn’t know about the pros or cons...now sold on soft weight and the bullet weights...how about plastic belts vs metal belts Alex...heard old skool best on this...but over to you?
Some divers swear by metal buckles. I do too but I usually swear AT them when they get a bit bent and won't hold. That doesn't happen with plastic. I like the plastic ones. They are tough and always work. Carry a spare if you're concerned. Like, they cost $6!!
Alec
58 years of diving! Wow!
you are the best
Thank u do much
Thanks again.
Alec
Great video, but I use a Zeagle Stilleto BC almost every week and I can honestly say from experience it will carry over 30 lbs of weight with ease.
love these videos, keep em commin!!
30 pounds of lead; 26 pounds of tanks; 6 pounds of regulator; 9 pounds of BCD = 71 pounds of scuba.
And how easily do you carry all that to and from the dive site?
Everyone is different but after almost 60 years of diving I've decided that I'm in it for the fun, not the challenge.
Thanks for watching.
Alec
+Scuba 2000 I'm a minimalist on weight for sure often only carrying 12lbs when in a 3mm wetsuit. However when I bought my BC I wanted to see how much it could comfortably carry.
I have carried a lot more then that. It is fine until you are walking across the algae coated rocks for the first 10-15 feet into the water. You have to slow down but it is actually easier getting out. I'll see if the new BC helps.
My dive buddy and I are, what you call "whale bellies". We really float. Solution.. small backpack instead of a weight belt. Filled with proper weights, and rocks if required. We hookha dive. Thx for the video.
Your welcome and Kevin says he is a founding member but it does not affect his diving fun. Thanks John.
Hey Alec,(Hi) I like BC in this integrated knowledge Tech Tips I used same BC, The question is O.M.G. I try or did use 10 on each side" dumb" and I been diving from 2009 Now 2018 I will buy weight belts Please keep your Tech Tips coming this year.
I hope the vid helps. When I started diving (1958) there were no BCs and we made our own weights from old lead pipes.
Today we have so many options it's wonderful.
Spread your weight around - a bit in the BCD, a bit on a belt, maybe a bit on a tank belt. Play around until you have a comfortable, stable system.
Take care.
Alec
early days we only had weight belt. Back to diving again after a long break and BCD I now have can have 30# (10 each side and 5x2 on the back pockets). I trying belt again because when diving off a kayak it is much easier to dump (and attach) the weight belt first (I use 24# with drysuit and 100cf steel tank) and pull the BCD+tank off the water into the kayak without all the added weight - it's already heavy enough and awkward to not tip over as it is...
One of my points - a tank + BCD + regulator + 25 pounds of weights = Oh My God!! - particularly from a kayak. I can't imagine! Alec
Great channell! free divers sometimes carry weights in their back there are jackets to put the wheigths on, maybe scuba divers can carry weigths in their wetsuits integrated in fabric somehow.
greetings from Chile ! cold waters here but spectacular diving sites
I think most of us would shy away from weights integrated into our suits. I would want weights that are easy to jettison if I got in trouble. A weight belt with a quick-release buckle is perfect for me, and I've been using them since 1968 with no problems.
Since 1968 - the year I started teaching scuba!!
Well, with absolutely no intention to criticize, there's little in scuba gear today that hasn't changed since 1968 Brian. I'm slow to change myself but today's gear is really quite amazing.
Re weights, I like a weight belt too. If I'm diving in cold water where I need 20+ pounds I put 10 in my BC and the rest on a belt.
However, I admit that when down south where I use about 10 pounds or so, I put them all in the BC. I think it's mainly for convenience.
Some divers tell me that they worry about having to drop their weights and want to keep a belt. The BC pockets are just as easy to drop and, in 58 years of diving, over 6500 dives (according to SSI Platinum Pro 5000 records), I've never dropped my weight belt - not intentionally anyway. So I figure that reason is a non-starter.
Good talking to you.
Thanks for watching.
Alec
Wow are you behind, any weigh integrated BC worth getting has a instantly removable weigh pocket too. You only loose some of the weigh and do not ascend at a dangerous rate like you would. Personally, I hope to never use them or drop a weigh belt.
Toriless If your comment is directed at me, note that I said I wouldn't want weights integrated into my WET SUIT. I never said I wouldn't want weights in my BC. I own a SeaQuest Pro QD i3 with quick-release weight pockets. I ALSO own ankle weights and a weight belt, because I need a lot of weight when diving in cold sea water with a dry suit or thick wet suit.
I have to ask: what is the siren noise I hear in some of your videos (like the beginning of this one)? Genuinely curious. Also, as always, excellent tips; keep them coming!
My back inflate BCD I can put 11 pounds of weight in each of the front pockets, and 6 in the trim pockets. In my dry suit I was using 34 pounds. My back plate I can put 12 in each of the front pockets, 5 in each of the trim pockets, plus the steel back plate weights 6, so I can get 40 pounds on it. I use a steel tank now though, so that takes off 6 pounds. I'm also better in my dry suit, so only need around 30 now. I find only travel BCDs limit you, since they are for warm water. I got certified in 1998 using a weight belt, so I did start with one.
You keep good records of the distribution. A few divers I know have a spreadsheet of all their different configurations, weights, water type/temperature and body weight. They know exactly what to put and where for any type of dive. Thanks for watching John.
Alec, I'm 6'1" and weigh 230 lbs and have only dove in Minnesota lakes. Because I wearca 2 piece 7mm wet suit I need nearly 40 lbs of weights. I have been using nothing but AquaLung rental bcd's and have no problems putting 15 lbs of weight in each weight pocket. That being said I do want to tell you thatI'm a new diver and I have noticed that the more comfortable I get diving the less weights I've had to use.
I'm in the same boat as you, Steven. I'm 6' 5" and 220 pounds, and I wear a two-piece 7mm wetsuit (so 14mm over my torso). I need 48 pounds of weight in salt water. I have a 10-pound and a 6-pound Pocket Weight ingot in each of my BCD integrated weight pouches (16 pounds each side for 32 pounds subtotal), and a 2-pound lead shot bag in each trim pocket (4 pounds subtotal), but I still need 12 more pounds. So I wear 2 pound ankle weights (4 pounds subtotal) and a rubber weight belt with (4) 2-pound weights (8 pounds subtotal) for a grand total of 48 pounds. Keeping the weights spread out like that gives me good trim while swimming. (I'm saving for a custom drysuit so I can wear less weight, but until then my current setup will do the job.)
It's true that you will need less weight the more you dive. Of course, there's a bottom limit - your weight requirements don't keep dropping until you don't need any!!
But for many reasons, new divers usually need more and as they gain experience (and as their dive gear gets used more), they can take some off.
Alec
As a larger chap I have tried integrated bcd's and weight belts , weight belts have a habit of falling off due to a large belly , with the amount of weight i need to wear around 8 - 10 kg depending on wetsuit / drysuit , it just makes the belt too heavy and you run the risk of it sliding off which is a major worry mid dive. The integrated bcd's are much nicer and does solve the issue but with the integrated weights you have a lot around your belly still which i found mucks up your trim too much. I have since switched to a wing , and now use the dui weight harness which i find much more comfortable and it still gives me dumpable weights. So if you have a couple of extra pounds on you like me seriously look at the wing and harness option.
As you've seen here many times Rob, each diver is different and the solutions to dive issues will be different for each diver. As you've successfully discovered, you have to experiment.
Good luck.
Alec
Oh yes, very practical. I wish I had put five more minutes of thought into carrying a few extra pounds in my 5-mil suit so I didn't shoot up to the surface!
I have a Sea-Quest Pro QD i3 BCD with Aqua-Lung's SureLock II integrated weight pouches. Each pouch has two pockets, and I have one 10-pound "Pocket Weight" brand plastic coated ingot (like the 5-pound one shown at 6:30 in the video, but thicker) in the lower pocket of each pouch. They fit snuggly, but they do fit, and still leave room in the other pocket for more weight if needed. The "trick" is to match the curvature of the weights to the curvature of the SureLock II. (Two 5-pounders wouldn't fit in one pocket, though, because you not only have twice as much lead, but twice as much plastic coating.)
In theory, I could put two 10-pound Pocket Weights on each side (one in each of the pouch's two pockets), for a total of 40 pounds (and I've tested it; they do fit), but that would almost certainly be too much weight.
Right now I have one 10-pound Pocket Weight on each side of the BCD, and five pounds in each trim pocket for a total of 30 pounds. I'm 6' 5" and wear a 7mm farmer john and 7mm jacket (total 14mm at my torso), so I still need a bit more weight to get negative at the surface. I COULD put more weight in the BCD (Aqua-Lung rates each pouch for 16 pounds), but I won't; as you suggest, I'll put the remainder on a belt to spread the load. Thanks again for your helpful and informative Tech Tips.
Sounds like you have it worked out pretty well.
Have you tried the soft lead weights? They make those 10 pound pockets a lot less hard and bulky.
Alec
Alec Peirce Scuba Because the soft weights use round pellets with space between them, they're larger than the lead ingots of the same weight. Since the SureLock II pouches have two pockets, though, I could use two 5-pound soft weights or some other combination. I haven't tried it yet, though. I have used soft weights in warmer water where I didn't need as much weight, and you're right about the increased comfort.
weigts also are a pain when you have to carry a full equipment down a stretch trail on a cliff to the beach, good exercise .
Heck, just try walking over slippery algae coated rocks. I would rather go down a hill then when I have to do that.
Steel tanks have really helped me
4 pounds for aluminum buoyancy is not much. I do like the size of the steel ones though and the tanks somehow feels much lighter.
Oddly, when I discuss steel tanks versus aluminum tanks in classes and ask the class the difference between the two, most will suggest that the aluminum tank is lighter - it's aluminum right! But then they learn that the aluminum tank walls are much thicker for strength so the aluminum tank is actually heavier, and that's a surprise. Everything else being equal, an aluminum tank is heavier than the same physical sized steel tank. So it might feel lighter TOR. Bouyancy does not relate directly to weight. A heavier tank is not necessarily more negative. Bouyancy is a combination of weight and size. The weight pulls down; the size creates positive bouyancy (displacement) and pulls up. However, I do recall with fondness and still occasionally use the old steel 72. They were the perfect size, weight, bouyancy, whatever!
my local shop school class is full of steel 72 - when I asked about buying used tanks they said those were OFF LIMIT as they are rare find and very much liked. I like the idea of high pressure steel as cold water require a bunch of weights anyway, so might as well be the tank, and I get more air. HP 80 steal are rather short (I'm 6'3"). I just tried 100cf steel - they weight 48# on the scale! couldn't believe...
Are these old 72s? Like the ones from the 60's and 70's? Odd that they still use them. They are a good choice for a number of reasons but the school could be criticized for not using modern gear. I love the old 72s but not in a class - just by myself or with my vintage buddies ( that's vintage diving buddies, not old buddies!). Alec
I would hope new tanks.
You should also mention they now have belt with pockets that you can put the Sherwood style weight bags into so even you weight belt can be also better the those slabs of metal. My BC is rated for 15 pounds droppable for each pocket but I tried two 4 pounds in each plus a 5 in each non-dropable pocket. I am using a dry suit in salt water and weigh about 200. So 26 is still way to light. I am not sure where to put it.
There are several makers of soft weight pocket belts. They really are a lot more comfortable than the hard lead belts. It's almost impossible to put all your weight into a BC if you're wearing a suit for cold water. Many divers in a 7mm wetsuit need over 20 pounds. Dry suit divers like yourself could often need 30 to 40 pounds. I tell my divers to count on wearing a weight belt - a much smaller weight belt than before but they still need one. So you need a 10 pound weight belt - that's nothing! Besides, trying to get all the weight you need for cold water into the BC guarantees one of two things, maybe both - a ruined BC and a hernia!
Hello, i really enjoy watching your videos, very informative indeed.
Can i suggest you do an episode on O2 Analysis Hardware for EANx, especially affordable handheld equipment to analyze cylinder contents. I searched the internet, but didn't find any meaningful video for the same. I am sure you will post a remarkable episode.
related to that - do a video on Nitrox - advantages (longer dives, less tired during and after, etc...) and disadvantage (more expensive refill, might need different gear, getting certified, not as deep, etc...)
I'll look at that. There a few good handheld units for about $200 to $500.. Generally, to give you a hint, I suggest that divers don't need their own O2 analyzer. If the tank was filled and analyzed and then checked by the diver with the shop analyzer before being used, it can't change so why bother re-checking it? Here we use 2 different brands to check each cylinder. Alec
Hey Alain. You just stole my Tech Tip!! You summed it up nicely. The single advantage that you missed is the increased safety factor for more susceptible divers - old, fat, out-of-shape, scarred, etc. I think that 75% of our EANx (Nitrox) students take the training and use the gas for that reason. Too many divers think that Nitrox will let you go deeper and stay longer. Nope!! I'll work on a video. Thanks, Alec
Hey would spreading the weights around like have a few on your arms and legs(2 ibs for legs and arms to hopefully not fatigue the diver) some in the bc so you.have a more evenly distributed weight would that work
Ankle weights are common for divers with floaty feet or dry suits. Never seen arm weights as moving your arms would change the centre of gravity/balance around. A weight belt with a few pounds a side will keep you balanced and comfortable. Also easy to hand up when exiting if suffering from old knee's.
Alec great video, thank you! But how can we lock that old type of weight so it don't move during a dive, thanks
There are a couple of tricks. Of course, a weight keeper (just a flat slip ring) can be fitted on top of the weight but you can also give the belt a single twist on the top of the weight. That usually holds it from slipping.
Alec
@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter Thanks Alec!
Very nice video I love it. I was thinking to put all my weight I need (8-10lbs) in my trim pocket of my BCD. Is this a good idea ?
You may find you're swimming lopsided. I suggest that you try to spread the weight around.
Put some in the front weight pockets, some in the trim pockets and maybe still have a small weight belt - depending on how much you need in total.
If the total is not too big, you can certainly get it all into the BCD with no weight belt. But if it's all in the trim pockets, which are usually back near the tank, you might be tipping over backwards through the dive.
It really comes down to trial and error. Each diver is different.
Good luck.
Alec
Alec Peirce Scuba the reason for picking the trim pockets for all my weight is my BCD doesnt offer a place for weight integration and the total amount of weight I need to carry is (10 pound).my BCD is mares f-light it has a back inflation bag do you think I'd still be tipping backwards?
Ask yourself this. In an emergency, could you dump them easily?
Hello Alec, another great video. I have a question. I will be buying an Aluminum 80 tank tomorrow but I want to know if i should buy one that is from 2016 as oppose to the 2015 and 2014 manufacture date they are selling me. The instructor says there's really no difference since the rental tanks they use last 30 years or more. I don't know if he's saying that to just sell me a tank or what. Thank you and have a pleasant day. God bless you.
He's quite right Luis.
All aluminum tanks made in the last 15 years are virtually the same - same material and same specs.
Buying a tank that is 1, 2 or 3 years old is not a problem.
The only downside is that you will require (and pay for) a hydrostatic test 5 years from the last one. So a 3 years old tank for example will need a test in 2 years.
A test will cost about $30+
Just be sure the price you pay reflects this fact, or get him to test it now which gives the full 5 years before the next one.
And, with a bit of care it will easily last 30 years.
Thanks for watching.
Alec
Alec, I am fairly new to diving. I have always breathed heavy, so my Question is how can I use less air? I can drain a standard 3000 rather quickly and it makes my dives much shorter than most divers. I would really love to extend my dive time so I can get the most of my NDL.
The good news is that you will get much better on air consumption as you gain experience. So just relax, stop worrying about it and enjoy yourself. Soon you'll see that your air consumption is better.
The bad news is that you should stop smoking (if you do), lose weight (if you should) and get in better condition.
All will help.
Good luck.Alec
So when traveling to warm water diving locations, do they tend to have soft weights for rent or should I take mine?
Here in the Philippines we do have soft weights for rent. Just dont bring any weights to avoid unneseccary baggage fees.
what is your view of rubber weight belts like the Rob Allen Marseillaise Weight Belt? I love it and find it easy to remove, but others do raise their eyebrows when they see it.
Rubber weight belts were very popular at one time but not so much anymore.
Their single advantage is that they will stay tight even as a divers wetsuit compresses. Thus they are less likely to fall off. For the same reason, divers usually find them more comfortable.
I'm not sure why they have lost popularity.
If it works for you, stick with it. A safe and comfortable belt is more important than eyebrows!
Take care.
Alec
I'm a new diver, just got my OW certificate last month. Love your videos, wish I'd found your channle sooner. I want to become a Dive master, even an instructor if I could. Any suggestion on gears or tips for thoes newbies like me who just in love on the first sight with diving and wish to take it as a career. btw, any thoughts on sea sick, motion sick?
put your eyes on the horizon, avoid going below deck. If you can manage, get behind the wheel. Car sickness is common enough, but drivers do not get carsick. When Sailing if we get someone feeling queasy we put them on the wheel and as they anticipate the motion of the boat and watch the horizon they feel better.
If you got problems in the water, I got no idea. :D
If you are looking at a career as a recreational diver, the best advice is to work closely with your local dive store. Assuming it's a helpful one, they can guide you through the process. It's not difficult if you're dedicated and it can be very, very rewarding. I became an instructor in 1975 and enjoyed every minute. Even the bad minutes are memorable.
It's interesting to know that seasickness was once not considered a real sickness. Sailors who got seasick were punished as slackers. If you've ever been seasick (I have!), you know darn well it's genuine! Only food poisoning is worse! These are good ideas from Expert1911. Stay low (not on top of the boat), but in the open. At the front of the boat is good. Everyone who feels crummy wants to go downstairs and lay down. NOPE! Diesel fumes, smells from breakfast, rolling, etc will make it worse. And for gosh sakes, if you have to be sick, do it. You'll feel 100% better after that. Wash your mouth out with some water and enjoy the rest of the trip. No one will laugh. We've all been there. There are lots of medications but I just don't know what to recommend. You have to try them.
This reminds of a dive trip on the Photo Diver III when I was working in Key Largo in the 70's. 3 young girls from New Jersey were very sick. They were sitting on the front deck, leaning over the edge and and emptying their breakfast into the ocean when Rex, our stoic divemaster walked by. He paused and in a serious, professional tone stated, "It's no wonder you're sick. Your stomachs are full of puke!!". I don't know. Struck me as hilarious and I've never forgotten that.
Take care. Alec
Seasickness. My tip. Never go on ocean with an empty stomach. Eat like if you were going to the gym. Being on a boat and diving is not cardio, but it remains physical and make you spend energy. Eat many small meals, something that does not burn your stomach, stay hydrated.
Alec, seasickness.... TWICE! 1st time out on a big, ugly aircraft carrier, 2nd time was rough water on dive boat off of Key Largo. Talk about miserable; if there had been any firearms within reach at the time, I would have STRONGLY considered putting myself out of misery!
I’m a shallow water river diver usually 7 to 8 feet only using a 13 g pony bottle looking for Arrow heads “face close to bottom “ sometimes going into deeper areas but I I have bad ears blew both drums in Hawaii years ago just have trouble equalizing now tried everything
jared Rrrr lookup D.A.N.’s article on methods of equalizing. They list a few techniques which were new to me and helped.
Equalization is a very personal thing. You simply have to look for ideas and try them all until you find a solution. If you can fly in an airplane comfortablely, you can dive.
I have to swallow to clear one ear and then twist my jaw side-to-side to clear the other.
Another problem you face is the shallow water. That's where it's hardest and as you move up and down in just 10' or so, you have to keep at it.
Good luck.
Alec
CaliChristopher I looked up the article a d want to thank you so much for passing this on. I wished they had gone over this more in certification.
CaliChristopher ty this was helpful
Bradford Palmer no problem! I wasn’t all that impressed with the very basic equalization instructions I got during my certification either, and that was my biggest concern. I printed that out and gave it to everybody in my class, was helpful to many.
for those of us with the apple shaped body (bigger tummy than hip) do you have any tips to snub the belt up and and keep it in place while in the water when it wants to slide off.
This is a common issue.
There are weight belts with rubber bands that keep the belt tight on your waist. I've never found them really effective.
The best solution is to reduce the weight of your bet to a minimum by spreading your required weight over your body - some in the BCD, some on the tank band and some on the belt.
If you still need a lot of weight on the belt, get one of the shoulder harnesses that act like suspenders for the belt. They are cheap and easy to use. Just be sure it can be released easily if necessary.
Alec
No weight belt, can't think of a scenario where I'd need to 'quick release' any weights find on the new jackets.
Been diving for almost 60 years and am hard pressed to recall any dive where I intentionally removed my weight belt. We seem to spend a lot of time and effort (and talk) about a non-event. Thanks for watching. Alec
Hello Grandpa, I have always problem for choosing right weight. Is it okay to weight ourselves with all gears before diving and then choosing right weight?
Trying to find the right weight on land is very tricky as there are many factors affecting buoyancy from dive to dive. Better to do a buoyancy check at the start of your dive (do you drop slow or very fast), adjust weight, dive and do a post dive buoyancy check again (around 500-750 psi or 35 to 52 bar). This is the best way to know if your weighted properly. Also record the weight and gear used so next dives you know what to use. Stay safe Amin.
Mate, try a wheight and trim harmess. I use a Northern Diver weight and trim harmess and it can keep up to 25 kg of lead shot and even with that huge weight it is still very confirtable and stable.
Yep! I've used them and sell them.
They're go for what they're good for (sounds like a politician!).
Thanks, Alec
They can get in the way of a BC like belts but you can safely lower them much easier then a belt. There are also soft belts that hold bags like a harness.
There are lots of solutions. Each diver has to find his own. I suggest a harness for very large divers who may need a lot of wieght. It not only helps them keep it on bt spreads the load to the shoulders. Thanks for watching. Alec
many thanks a very valuable information. just wondering if you have touch kind of rubber type belt apart from the nylon belt.
+Novrizal Herdananto
Thanks for answer .is not recommended for scuba diver?
+Waleed12345 All a a bi
Rubber weight belts were once common for scuba divers but not so much anymore. As you've said, free divers use them now. They were called 'Pressure Compensating Belts'or Depth Compensating Belts which makes sense. I'm not sure where you'd even get them anymore.
You can get good rubber weight belts, among other sources, here: www.makospearguns.com/Freedive-Weight-Belt-p/mfdwb.htm.
You can also get spring-loaded depth-compensating buckles for non-stretch belts, such as this one: apollosportsusa.com/aas-buckle.html
SeikiBrian, thanks for the links. I just picked up a rubber belt, a rubber belt with quick metal loop (size it once) and sprint loaded buckle with nylon straps from a guy - will try them and see which one I like better for my drysuit.
He also have some older school thinner (maybe 1.5" tall) fabric belt with holes to put 1# cylinder weights you can slide in/out after the fact he used for free diving - takes special weights, which I didn't pick up.
Good work. Let me know how you like the rubber belts. They were very popular at one time. Alec
I used 65 lb for 28 years diving in fast current muddy rivers. I have well over 7,000 dives. I'm going back in. This time it is soft weights. I will start with 45lb and see how it goes
Good luck and dive safe.
A
@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter Thank you sir 🙂
Hey this is Michael from mdo video I have a weight belt with pockets in the front. Can I fit two 5 pound weights in it.
It's can be done.
Personally I'm in favor of using 2 and 3 pound weights. One of each together is the same size and weight of a 5 pound so if you want 5 pounds you got it. But if you have only 5 pound weights and want to adjust your weight by just 2 or 3 pounds, you're stuck.
Try using a 2 + 3 pound weight. I'm assuming you're using soft weights.
Alec
Ok thank you so much you are awesome!!!
Hi Alec, I read somewhere that you should wear a weight belt with a few pounds on no matter what. The theory being if you end up in an emergency and have to ditch your bcd at depth you can perform an emergency ascent with a little bit of weight to help avoid an uncontrolled ascent. Is there any merit to this theory? Thanks! 🙏🏻
It is a good idea for divers with lots of weight to use a belt with say 4 pounds on it. The reasons are if you have integrated weights and say one hold 8-10 pounds (like Kevin does), dropping even one pocket makes your really light and a fast ascent going to happen. Dropping a light weight belt still makes you ascend but slower, more time and control. It also helps if boat diving to hand up a weight belt so climbing a ladder is a little easier (be old or have bad knees to appreciate this). Hope this helps and thanks for watching.
A
@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter Appreciate the clarification Alec! Hope you guys have an awesome day! Thanks!
I am baffled! I learned to dive in southern Spain, in the Atlantic, and was using 8lbs with a 3mm wet suit. I had no issues with buoyancy. I'm now in the Philippines and had awful buoyancy issues on my first few dives, I was way too buoyant. I recently did a tank empty (50 bar) weight check and was neutral at 14lbs (6.5kg)....swimsuit only. My next dive was great, good descent, buoyancy and safety stop. I'm baffled at the increase in weight (I'm 150lbs and slim build, 5ft 9"). Could it be due to a change in salinity? Although I did dive in Thailand with much less than 14lbs.
There is not a great variety of salinity in the sea but a big meal before diving has thrown my buoyancy off.
A
In Spain, they normally dive with steel bottles, in South-East-Asia I think Aluminium is standard.
@@mrki4937 Ah yes! I forgot about that, yep I use aluminium here. Thanks.
Surprised Divers haven't figured a way to utilize the weight system that doesn't involve using lead based materials...
They keep looking but lead, while hazardous, is abundant, cheap and very dense. Nothing so far has come close to replacing it but they keep looking.
Wear a weight belt made of rubber (e.g. Omer). Seasoft are the best weights but expensive.
Rubber weight belts were once very common. Not so much now with integrated BCs.
They certainly do reduce the likelihood of loosing your belt.
Thanks for watching.
Alec
You did not mention soft weight belts. These are much more comfortable than the belt you showed with hard weights.
You're quite right! I love 'em and recommend all divers use them particularly for Weight Integrated BCDs.
I did talk about them in one of my vids.
Thanks for reminding me.
Alec
+ bioteach -- I have some soft weight bags that I use in my BCD, but I stopped using my soft-weight belt after one dive. Why? Because I dive in really cold water using a thick wetsuit, and when it compressed as I went deeper the belt got loose and slipped down nearly to my knees as I swam. I replaced it with a rubber belt and hard weights, and it stays in place nicely; I stretch the belt when I put it on, and as I go deeper that belt contracts along with the suit. It's perfect. If anyone makes a stretchable belt for soft weights that could work, too, but I haven't seen one.
I talked about soft weights in an earlier vid about Weight_integrated BCDs.
That's where soft weight really shine. As Brian says they're not always the best choice for the weight belt.
Alec
How about putting some weight on the tank strap or some clip weights on the joke valve, Aloha :-))
Good idea. Certainly where you are trying to find the ideal weight, a couple of clip-on weights or those great little pockets that hook over the tank strap can really help. Here's an odd one but not a bad idea - I've seen divers use one of those stretchy ankle weights and put it around the neck of the tank! Thanks for watching. Alec
Shoot, I only float in salt water. In fresh I shoot straight to the bottom.
Ha, I know lots of divers of many body shapes who are 'sinkers'.
Hi Alec
Can you please explain computers in deep details in one of your comming vedios?
+Ahmed Alnaqbi
A good idea and it's in the works. It'll probably take a couple of episodes.
Thanks for watching. Alec
+Scuba 2000 no I need to thank you. You are the one who chose to take some of your precious time to inform young people like me. I'm pretty sure a lot of people appreciate what you do. Thanks again. Fan from Dubai
I did what your described in video split weights up on bcd and for a bit more comfort and less readjusting weight belt,I opted to use a marseilles rubber weight belt.its self adjusts and you dont need weight belt retainers normally.
I find Nylon one you got to adjust as depth decreases,can be a pain,dont get this with rubber belt.
link to belt
www.divingdirect.co.uk/spearfishing-c127/weightbelts-c138/mares-marseillaise-belt-p2154/s8456?Blisting%2Bads
vid
czcams.com/video/rmt5Y3LaMWc/video.html
another great video Alec.
Rob
The rubber, thus stretchy, weight belt is a good idea if you have problems with the belt getting loose and falling. It's not a new idea. We had them in the 60's.
Good luck.
Alec
alec could you do a tech tip on ankle weights because I hate ankle weights I am using a drysuit
Thanks for any help in advance
Neil
It's on the list Neil.
Thanks for watching.
Alec
thank you for answering alec
You could try using fins that are more negatively buoyant if you can't keep your feet down. 90% of people don't need ankle weights and use them to try to solve problems caused by poor skills.
+befru thanks for answering:)
Do you actually use as much as 20-30 pounds of weight when wetsuit diving? Because here in Norway many of us use about 18 pounds or 8 kilograms and we all pretty much dive exclusively with drysuits
Oh yes! Realize that wetsuits are made of neoprene, essentially foam rubber, mostly air - very buoyant.
It's not at all uncommon for a diver to need 20 pounds to get down and often a lot more. The bigger the diver, the more wetsuit material, the more weight, generally.
If your drysuit is made of neoprene you will also need a lot of weight. Lots of drysuits are NOT neoprene but another, not-so-buoyant material - rubber, nylon, PVC, etc. In that case the suit adds no buoyancy. You will only have to overcome the buoyancy of the air trapped inside - the air that's keeping you warm.
Before someone jumps on me and says they wear a wetsuit in warm water and don't use many weights realize that there are different thicknesses of foam neoprene. In warm water you will probably wear a wetsuit that's 3mm (1/8") or maybe 5mm (3/16") with which you might need only 6 to 12 pounds. In cold water we wear 7mm (1/4") plus boots, hood and gloves. It all adds up to a lot of buoyancy - and weights.
The problem with dry suit and buoyancy is the undergarment not the suit. Where I live the temperature drops from a toasty 54 F at surface to 32 F at only 10 feet of depth and that was only in October. Try diving that without a decent undergarment and/or something like the D1 Hybrid suit.
Robin, I dive with 24# in a drysuit (tri lam, not neoprene) but with a 100cf steel tank (HEAVY) but I'm a tall guy (XLT). I was using same weight with 7mm suit (+3mm vest/hood) using smaller 72cf steel tank, so I guess I needed extra weight for the drysuit undergarment vs 7mm neoprene.
Trilam drysuits are not as buoyant as wetsuits nor does their buoyancy change as much with depth. Strange but true that a diver can go from a wetsuit to a drysuit and need less weight. But yes, a big diver in a big wetsuit will need a big weight belt. Alec
I switched to an integrated with lead bean bags for weights. It is much easier to get in and out of the water and control my trim. You can really feel when trim is off. The water is 55 now since it is summer but drop to 45-50 in the winter. It drops to freezing at any depth here. I use the Waterproof G1 gloves (real nice I can feel all my equipment in the water without freezing) and the Pinnacle 7MM+ zip up hood.
from my first course i used 20 kg on belt because i haved 105 kg on my weight and my scuba suit give me much float....
Consider using shoulder weight belt harness to help hold the belt more comfortably, S06E13.
Really enjoying these videos Alec. I dive with a 5mm wetsuit and I use a belt from Bright Weights (www.brightweights.com/index.php/products-scuba) and I love it. I only need 4 kg of weight and I might drop another 500g. The belt is so easy to configure, the weights just slide into the belt like an ammo bandoleer. Even if I needed another 4kg, the belt would still be comfertable.
Kevin getting roasted!!!!
Good video bit you forgot tomention not to exceed the bcds lift capacity... :)
The BCs lift doesn't have anything to do with the weights that you wear.
The weights are to overcome the positive buoyancy of your suit.
Properly weighted you will be neutral or close to it.
Although with a thick wetsuit you will get more negative while descending, any BC will overcome that. Most have a lift of 25 to 40 pounds.
Thanks for watching.
Alec
You are correct to mention not wearing too much weight. 40% of dead divers wore too much weight (never mentioned by instructors I have noticed).
Diving in N. California I have worn up to 25lbs of lead and I would not wear a BC that didn't have more lift than that.
The best setup is a rubber weight belt (e.g. Omer) and neutral at the surface with your nose and mouth out of the water, i.e. water at your chin (also not taught by instructors).
+Scuba 2000 ye what i meant is that if a bcd has 30 pounds of lift you dont want to be wearing 40 as an example i mean
Right. So obvious I didn't think of it.
Good point.
Alec
+Scuba 2000 we all make mistakes. what i love is how humble you are and the fact that u are cristal clear. promisr that if i ever around there ill purches a whole rig as a thanks
I only used 8 pounds when I was in the Florida keys because I was only in a bathing suit
I love the Keys. I worked there for a short time when I was about 22 or so. Wonderful place, good diving.Lots of people don't realize that most swimmers float naturally.
The problem is that you only float if you're almost completely submerged - head included. Not good!
So generally a person needs about 4-6 pounds to get down while skin diving.
Most of the weights that scuba divers wear ar to overcome the buoyancy of their wetsuit.
Thanks for watching.
Alec
Well I know putting 30 pounds in my BC was no problem at all. But lifting it was. According to the manual (www.baresports.com/~/media/bare/files/manuals/bare_manual_english_200510.ashx?la=en-ot) they claim it will hold up to 50 pounds, which is just crazy. 15 pounds each main pocket, 10 pounds each extra side pocket. I think I will stick to keeping half the weight on the belt.
+Lennart Sorensen Yep Len. You're right. I have discovered that the weight printed on the pockets of BCs is verrry optimistic. There's no way you can get a 10 pound weight into a pocket marked for 10 pounds. And, you really don't want too.
Down south when you need like 12 to 16 pounds total, you can get it all into your BC but with a 7mm wetsuit where you might need 25 pounds or more, it's dumb. Put 12 to 15 into the BC and have a small weight belt. A belt is easy to wear if it's not too big, it's easy to dump if needed and, if you do dump it, it's not going to cost $150 to replace it.
On Facebook a diver was bragging that he got 44 pounds into his BC.
My response? Congratulations King Kong. That's a reference to both the size of his big muscles and his tiny brain! 44 pounds + BC + tank + regulator = 100 pounds! And why? So the pockets of his BC are big lumps under his arm and the pockets will wear out in no time. No warranty for that abuse.
My opinion.
Thanks again for watching Len.
Alec
I just got an Axoim. It claims to hold 40 (30 - 15 each) + 10. The pockets are at least twice (maybe 3 times) as big as shown. I will not load it that much.
Hi Alex sorry about sending Bolex marine info . I have been pretty sick. I am sending it Thursday IF you can send me adress again. Thanks Tony seelbach
Contact me at seahunter@vintagescuba.com
What about backplates ??
Separate issue entirely.
While the backplate may be used to increase the weights that you wear, that's simply part of the total.
That is, if your plate weighs 10 pounds and your need 25 total, you need 15 pounds of weights.
The plate weight simply counts as part of your weights.
I didn't go into it since the use of steel backplates is not common among recreational divers - the vast majority of all divers. Your tech training will address if and when you go tech.
Thanks for watching.
Alec
With a steel 72; sometimes I don't use weights !!!
Don't know why they started making wet suits in mm. It's sorta confusing!
Ever go diving with 3,000 king salmon? It's fun !!!
I loved the old 72s. They were the perfect combination or weight, buoyancy, air supply and size. However, things change and the 80 is good too. I have a lot of 72s in good shape for sale if you are serious. It's just the shipping that will be a problem. BTW, be careful. The 'Rule of Thumb' that "you can't get bent using a 72" is not true.
Take care. Alec
Yep. It can be. Here the government wants us to use Metric for everything. There are good scientific and economic reasons for that but it's not easy for an old guy. Since I'm in the dive store a lot I've learned to change to 3mm, 5mm and 7mm instead of 1/8", 3/16" and 1/4" suits. At least it's easier to say.
Sure sounds exciting! You must be in Alaska. I was just there diving around Ketchikan and Stika. Beautiful country of course and great diving too.
Guess how everyone in the world pronouns pounds? Easy! Kilograms!
Only 95% of the world is metric but the rest is 75% of my viewers. I try to add metric (as Canada is) when I can.
Alec