Release or not to Release?

[NotDeadYet]

With an ally backplate and twin 12's I have a v-weight (actually an old sock filled with shot and wrapped in brown gaffer tape -- looks just like a turd) which is maybe a couple of kg. With my cannister light, it's enough to sink me easily in fresh and just about in salt (usually add a couple of slabs on a belt). With no air in my wing I can float with just my suit for buoyancy. Even when I had my twin 20's I could still float with a couple of stages and just the air in my suit. Wasn't particularly comfortable though.

[ericdv]

Use a standard weight belt but with a loop of string (proper diving string :-o)) from the buckle end to the lower pinch-clip on my stab. So to release I just have two actions instead of one. Only ever had one buddy unhappy with this arrangement at Blue Grotto on Malta and he promply did a giant stride entry and lost his belt. Amusing later but not at the time in choppy conditions - recovering the belt in 5 metres was easy but fixing it back around his waist certainly wasn't. To be fair he was a good diver but what a coincidence!!!

Now that I've started this debate I guess I better add my two penneths worth.

I can understand the rationale behind training agencies encouraging the use of releasable weight systems but like many peole I have always been unhappy with the idea that another diver could send me skywards causing irreparable damage to my lungs and quite possibly sending me into DCI.

Like many divers I dive with redundant bouyancy (Drysuit & Wing) and completely seperate air supplies in the form of sidemounts ('cos they're better for my knackered spine than a backmounted twin). As a result (and through continuous training for emergencies) I am confident that I can deal with the majority of situations without resorting to a rescue technique that can maim & possibly kill.

The only times I would consider it prudent for myself (or another diver) to release my weights would be:

a. If I was unconscious & unable to breathe from a demand valve, or
b. If I was lost at sea (on the surface) and awaiting rescue.

[Janos]

I am 'naturally bouyant' (read a bit on the lardy side) and so I take a fair bit of lead down with me. Hoping to get a 5mm Woz-Plate though soon which should reduce the need. Consequently I'm going to have to have at least some on a weightbelt as:

a) It would make my rig too heavy
b) I wouldn't be able to find somewhere to put it all

I have got some roof flashing lying around though whichI'm going to melt one of these days into soem non-ditchable weight.

Laters,
Janos

[Kev W]

My son and I were once (and once is enough)lost at sea and during our 3hrs floating about my son was getting uncofortable reguarding buoyancy so he dumped his weightbelt.I kept mine on but would have duped in a second had the need arisen.
It is good to have the option in this senario and for that reason I carry a ditchable weightbelt.I couldn't envisage my ditching at depth.
I dive with Twins,wing & drysuit

[Ian@1904]

I use a 15 ltr plus pony and a weight harness system for my UK diving.

I have found the weight harness to be far more comfortable in and out of the water, the weights are secure but can be relatively easily ditched. I acquired a hernia on my first open water dives and I put it partially down to the weight belt and resulting weight distribution, being so uncomfortable.

I have been concerned about weight belts for novice divers, several of whom I have seen lose their weights during a dive. The simple weight belt seems too easy to release from my perspective.

[DVR]

I use a harness, could never keep a normal weight belt from sliding over my *rse and I find it puts a lot less strain on my back, it also gives you the chance to dump part of your weight and keep the other to help control your asscent.

John

[Kate R]

Originally Posted by Kev W

I couldn't envisage my ditching at depth.

playing devil's advocate a bit here, as i fully share people's concerns about ditchachable weight - but wasn't there quite a bit in the diving mags recently about people running out of air and dying when they could have survived by dropping a weightbelt? yes it is the very very last option, but better severely bent and burst at the surface than dead underwater.

[Woz]

I've got 11 lb a side ditchable on a Bowstone harness and it is very very lovely. Possibly the bit of kit I have most liked since buying it all. Again. Really comfy, easy to pass into the boat (I just lob the weights over the side then jump in myself). Twin 7's on my back if you are interested.

And yes, I agree with KateR. Some reports of divers found, no air, weightbelt attached. I would regard it as my final option should everything else go Tonto. Then again with the weight split in 1/2 the ascent may be a little slower. But for novices, a disappearing weightbelt is very common so more pool and shallow water training is the key here to get them used to them.

[Moray]

Originally Posted by Kate R

something that i think often gets missed in the whole ditchable weights debate is the value of being able to ditch lead at the surface. especially, as mentioned above, if you've been lost by your boat and face a long wait in perhaps choppy seas.

i once met someone who later died through not being able to maintain positive buoyancy at the surface (panicked, didn't drop weights or orally inflate her BC). and she's not the only person to die that way. i think the value of ditchable weights in that situation should be reinforced - i sometimes worry that so many people going around slating ditchable weights might send the wrong message to some people...

just a thought.

kate

Good point, Kate!

for me ditchable, I like having the option but hope to never need it.

moray