weight belt help for beginner

[greenkb]

Right, I "tried" to do my open water last saturday. Long story short, too much weight, disappearing from sight after deflating my BCD and one panic attack later, I decided that I'd invest in my own weight belt before attempt my open water again.

I've been looking at Bowstone's range of loose shot belts, they've informed me that they can custom make any sized belt I want. Does anyone have on of these? or similar? if so, do you put the shot in loose or do you use individual shot pockets?

[Mal Bridgeman]

Originally Posted by greenkb

Right, I "tried" to do my open water last saturday. Long story short, too much weight, disappearing from sight after deflating my BCD and one panic attack later, I decided that I'd invest in my own weight belt before attempt my open water again.

I've been looking at Bowstone's range of loose shot belts, they've informed me that they can custom make any sized belt I want. Does anyone have on of these? or similar? if so, do you put the shot in loose or do you use individual shot pockets?

Hi

Overweighting new divers is all too common in my experience.....and can lead to the unpleasant experience you had....I am glad it has not put you off though.

There are a number of different styles of weight belt which hold "loose" shot. Some have pockets in which you can place bags of premeasured shot pouches e.g. 1kg, 2 kg, 3kg. There are also the type where you pour in "loose" shot.

The advantage of the former is that you can adjust it for different diving circumstances e.g. wet suit / dry suit, fresh water/ sea water and you can take it abroad. Most places abroad use solid weight so getting a padded belt can be advantageous.

The pure shot belt is ideal if you know exactly what you want, weightwise, and I find them very comfortable. Some have extra pockets on them that you can place extra weights into, to allow some measure of adjustment, but this type is no good for use abroad.

Do talk to your LDS (Local Dive Shop) and / or instructor who should be able to show you samples and give you the relative pros and cons of each. If you want to do some research in advance then you could have a look at http://www.watersportswarehouse.co.u...hopscr794.html which has some examples.

Best regards
Mal

[Woz]

The Bowstone kit is top notch- I've got one of their weight harnesses and love it to bits. The ND and Beaver versions of them drop to bits faster than Cameron Diaz at the Oscars. Other shot belts that can cut the mustard are Hydrotech's own brand.

Watch out for the cost of the shot though as this can add loads to the shipping. Cheapest place to get it is Gamebore cartridges in Hull. You want the ungraphited lead shot.

[nigelH]

Originally Posted by greenkb

Right, I "tried" to do my open water last saturday. Long story short, too much weight....
I've been looking at Bowstone's range of loose shot belts...

NO!
This is just what you don't want.
You want an ordinary belt and a lot less on it and then do several dives with weights in your BCD pockets as the weight you need will go down and down.
Once you know how much weight you really need in nice big easy to manage lumps then ask if a belt with a fixed weight is an advantage, is more comfortable. Then consider a shot belt.

You are planning spending money on not fixing the problem.

[greenkb]

cheers for all you imput. I think I'm going to go for this one: http://www.bowstonediving.com/store/...asp?id=15-0-56

it can be used either for solid weight or shot. I'll have to get it made by them I'll need a "couple" of inches adding to the waist band.

[Chardy]

It's not the belt its the lead that's the problem !

Make the instructor weight you properly first, too many times the student is overweighted to make it easier. Proper weighting is sooooooooooooo important.


Paul
(PADI Staff Instructor)

[Mal Bridgeman]

Originally Posted by greenkb

cheers for all you imput. I think I'm going to go for this one: http://www.bowstonediving.com/store/...asp?id=15-0-56

it can be used either for solid weight or shot. I'll have to get it made by them I'll need a "couple" of inches adding to the waist band.

Hi

Did you consider the http://www.bowstonediving.com/store/...asp?id=15-0-67 which has adjustment at the back already?

Mal

[big kev]

Go for the pocketed version of the Bowstone belt, they are indestructable and better than the competitions. You can stick as much or as little in the pockets as you need in 1kg 2kg or 3kg bags. Had mine for years and wouldn't be without it!

You say you might need it lengthened - if you are a "fuller figured" person round the middle then any weightbelt is going to work its way off. You'd be better off spending a few quid more and getting a Bowstone harness which will not only stay on any shape of diver but takes some of the weight through your shoulders saving your lower back a lot of pain. I'm going to get one as soon as my shotbelt falls to bits - which it won't do!

Whatever you get, ask your instructor to spend some time with you before you dive doing a bouancy check and getting comfortable with your weight system.

Relax and enjoy!

Kev.

[dry suit diver]

I switched to harness as soon as I completed my OW and boy does it make a difference in releiving backache the day after a dive, i too am also rather barrel like in the mid section and it is great for keeping the weight in th right place.
The only problem is that PADI wont let you use a harness on training dives for your open water course or dry suit specialty , something to do with weight belt removal.

As other people have posted get the weighting sorted properly first and there wont be a problem.

[D.D.J]

hi

hope your next attempt at oopen water dives goes better than the first, i think that you just had an unlucky experience. but not to worry they get a lot better hopw it all goes well, i m sure it will

all the best, take care