Scuba diving gear commonly includes a wetsuit that insulates your body and enhances its natural buoyancy. You must counteract this buoyancy with a weighting system that, if properly designed and balanced, makes you neutrally buoyant. This allows you to swim horizontally or slightly downward without sinking like a rock. All weighting systems must have a fast-release feature that allows you to quickly regain your buoyancy in an emergency situation
Weight Belts
Many scuba divers utilize a weighting system featuring an easy-release nylon waist belt. The belt accommodates lead weights that collectively provide the weight you need. The weights range from 1 to 10 lbs., are configured as tapered rectangles or cylinders, and are often threaded into your belt. Some divers select weight belts with pouches for solid weights or soft lead shot. You might find the soft pouch system more comfortable.
Integrated Weight System
Your integrated weight system begins with your buoyancy compensator, or BC, a vest-like inflatable device that provides buoyancy. Place several 1- to 5-lb. soft pouch weights into the BC's pockets until you counteract this buoyancy and become neutrally buoyant. The integrated weight system distributes weight comfortably and you can easily remove the weights in emergencies. Ask a dive instructor if you should remove a BC underwater if you do not wear a separate weight belt.
Weight System Selection
Select your weight system based on the type of exposure suit and BC you need. You might find a weight belt reasonably comfortable for warm water dives in a thin body suit or short wetsuit. On the other hand, your cooler water diving gear is heavier, making an integrated system more comfortable. Cold water drysuit diving requires more extensive weighting, meaning you wear both an integrated weight system and a weight belt.
Proper Weight Distribution
Your optimum dive weight system depends largely on the weights' efficient distribution. Traditional weight belts often concentrate the weight around your waist, while your BC holds air around your shoulders. This can cause you to swim in a semi-upright position instead of a smooth horizontal line, resulting in excessive air consumption. Integrated weight systems allow you to redistribute your weight or add very small weight increments.
References
- The SCUBA Site.com: SCUBA Diving Equipment Guide: Weight Systems
- The SCUBA Guide.com: SCUBA Diving Weights: Weight Belts
- SCUBA Diver Info: What Does a BC Contain: Integrated Weight
- Professional Association of Diving Instructors: SCUBA Weight System: How to Choose a Weight System
- SCUBA Diving: Finding Proper Trim
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