The Great 'Ankle-weights Debate'.

[Allan Carr]

I dived for years in various drysuits without using ankle weights. Last year, I replaced my undersuit and on the first dive, I was a bit light - I always dive with the absolute minimum of weight. I needed about an extra kilo and one of the other guys suggesting using his ankle weights, which I did. I found that it improved my trim in the water and reduced the pressure on my back caused by the feet-up attitude. I now use a set which have very strong fastex clips on them and have had no problems with them coming loose.

If you don't need them, fine but don't rule out using them just because of the image - for some of us, they can make our diving more comfortable.

[John Gulliver]

Originally Posted by Allan Carr

I dived for years in various drysuits without using ankle weights. Last year, I replaced my undersuit and on the first dive, I was a bit light - I always dive with the absolute minimum of weight. I needed about an extra kilo and one of the other guys suggesting using his ankle weights, which I did. I found that it improved my trim in the water and reduced the pressure on my back caused by the feet-up attitude. I now use a set which have very strong fastex clips on them and have had no problems with them coming loose.

If you don't need them, fine but don't rule out using them just because of the image - for some of us, they can make our diving more comfortable.

Exactly! In my experience, it depends a lot on the suit. With my last suit I managed fine without ankle weights, with my present one, I feel much more comfortable with them. I carry a heavyish camera on every dive these days and get into all sorts of contortions and just feel safer with ankle weights. I have Beaver's ankle weights with Quick-lock clips and cannot see any way they can fall off. Unless I open the clips, they stay firmly closed.

[KeyLimePie]

Originally Posted by WannabeMermaid

I admire/envy anyone who doesn't need them but I am so afraid of making a feet first rapid ascent without them that I end up swimming with my feet well below me and kicking up the bottom so I am probably a better diver with them.
(I have just realised that with less than 10 posts I am already saying controversial things - I am going to shh for a bit now! )

Wot Gunsentry said makes a lot of sense and I agree with it. Also, if you are using your suit for buoancy rather than jacket/wing then a feet-first-polaris-missile imitation is more likely. But, hey, there's more than one way to dive, and I have come across lots of divers, from beginner to advanced instructors, that use ankle weights. If it works for you and you're comfortable with it then fine. However, try not to kick up the silt if you're in front of me

[Paul Oliver]

I have used ankle weights since starting drysuit diving. They are not noticeable except when i don't have them on and get in the water, when my feet are floaty.

They don't slip about 'cos i tighten them up a little if they are loose.

They are bright yellow to go with my bright red suit

They were a lot cheaper than some of those rip of gator prices i have seen.

They don't tire my legs as far as i can tell, but i tend too mooch around a wreck without lots of finning

[Stesh]

I've got size eight and half feet and a membrane suit with size nine boots and ten kilos of shot in my weight belt (uncomfortable and it slips) I also have six kilos in my BCD.

So I'm thinking of getting one kilo ankle weights as eight kilos in my weight belt is fine and comfortable and yellow ankle weights would match the rest of my gear

But that would mean other divers would point at me, laugh and throw stones at the back of my head when I'm not looking

Or should I shell out for an expensive weight harness and keep my balloon boots quiet for fear of the shame it will bring on my family

It's okay problem solved!

[john-boyd]

I dive with ankle weights and I dont have trouble, I think there good, give them a go!!

[nigelH]

Originally Posted by john-boyd

I dive with ankle weights and I dont have trouble, I think there good, give them a go!!

You can't keep a good thread down!
How many years has this one been running?

When I dive my heels are the highest part of my body.
Too many divers are desperately foot heavy even before they reach for the ankle weights.
Sure it feels a bit floaty on the way down the shot but it trims out level, I don't kick the silt in my buddy's face and I don't have to fin to hold a stop level.

[Neil McLeod]

Originally Posted by John Gulliver

Exactly! In my experience, it depends a lot on the suit. With my last suit I managed fine without ankle weights, with my present one, I feel much more comfortable with them. I carry a heavyish camera on every dive these days and get into all sorts of contortions and just feel safer with ankle weights. I have Beaver's ankle weights with Quick-lock clips and cannot see any way they can fall off. Unless I open the clips, they stay firmly closed.

I agree. If your drysuit fits around your lower legs and feet snuggly then there is nowhere for the air to go. My Otter membrane has baggy lower legs and slightly sloppy boots - result; first used ankle weights but didn't like the weight there and the air still went to my feet if I went head down to look at something. Could not just relax and "hang". Changed to a pair of gaiters and now the air cannot expand this part of the suit (have finally sent it off to get better fitting boots). My Typhoon membrane suit has better fitting legs and boots (warm neoprene lined) and so nowhere for air to go - so no problem. I would suspect if I dived in a more taylored Neoprene suit then it might be better still.

So my tuppenceworth is get a suit that is the same shape as you, or if it is too baggy in the shins try gaters as these are more comfortable and no risk of them falling off. No potential space = no floaty feet.

Neil

[MartinW]

Apologies for resuscitating a long-standing thread.

I tagged along on an OW class this weekend, new club and new instructor. Noticed the instructor was wearing ankle weights and thought "good on ya".

My GF and usual buddy uses ankle weights. She also likes to remind me...and anyone in earshot...on a regular basis about my ascent from the Breda feet-first up the shot-line. I solved my floaty-feet by getting some jet-fins and using the BCD/Wing for bouyancy...just taking the squeeze off with the suit.

IMHO there is bugger all difference between buying ankle weights and buying heavier fins and I don't really see the difference between using ankle weights to alter trim and any other trim weights. I like divers with ankle weights. They put competence before fashion.

[yazzyfooty]

Removed .......................as i didnt realise it was such an old posting that has been resurrected