On3/15/99 5:18 PM, RLucas1013@ao*.co* wrote:

>Jim,
>I thought the idea of a weight belt was to drop in an emergency. George has
>stated diving with double alum tanks and a wet suit a weight belt is the way
>to go in open ocean, so in case of an emergency drop the weight. How do you
>drop a V weight in an emergency with double alum tanks and a wet suit if that
>is what you were referring to? In any event how do you drop a V weight in an
>emergency in open water?
>a message dated 3/15/99 4:18:37 PM EST, cobber@ci*.co* writes:
>
><< Steve, the obvious answer is to get rid of your weightbelt.
> 
>    Jim


This is the beauty of the DIR system as an integrated system for ocean 
diving: You don't have to "drop" the v-weight.  Assuming you're not 
overweighted, you should be able to swim a set of Al80s and a v-weight up 
from the bottom even at the beginning of a dive.

Right now, I'm diving in South Florida in a 6 mil wetsuit, manifolded 
AL80s with an 8# v-weight and a stainless steel backplate (-14# total) 
and an extra 2lbs around my waist for trim. With full tanks at the 
beginning of a dive, BC completely empty, in the sand at 115', and 
wearing Scubapro Jetfins, I can swim this rig to the surface.  

Go back to basics with the DIR system: There are two ways to ocean dive 
and do it right: 1) dive dry with your choice of tanks using the drysuit 
as your backup buoyancy device; or 2) dive wet with twin Al80s because 
the tanks themselves form your backup bouyancy, assisted by the inherent 
buouyancy in your suit closer to the surface and/or your liftbag.

In the worst possible case, a complete BC failure at the start of a dive 
when you're the most negative, you should be able to swim the tanks up. 
If not, you have two options" 1) use your lift bag (the one you *always* 
carry on your back D-ring) as a BC (someone else pointed out that the 
Halcyon closed circuit bags work particularly well for this purpose) or 
if you've lost your bag, close the isolator closed and dump your left 80 
- instant gain of +6lbs (from approx -2lbs to +4) -- the backup bouyancy 
is built into the rest of the equipment system!

This is also why the diver is the most important part of a DIR sytem and 
why George Irvine and Bill Mee emphasize physical fitness: First, if 
you're reasonably fit (and I'm no great athlete by any means), you won't 
need excess weight and you will be able to swim the rig up even in an 
emergency. Second, you'll have thought this problem through and will be 
properly equipped for it and prepared to deploy your liftbag to provide 
extra bouyancy in a emergency or will know to isolate and vent a tank 
without panic and the resulting perceptual narrowing.  Call it mental 
preparation, fitness, training, or contingency planning -- it's integral 
to DIR as well.

Steve - I don't know how much lead you're carrying, but try splitting it 
between your v-weight, backplate and belt -- you should be able to carry 
6-8 lbs high enough on your hips that it doesn't interfere with the 
plate.  As for ditching a weight belt with a crotch strap in the way -- 
try it -- in an emergency, I guarantee that I will get that weightbelt 
off, crotch strap or no. Worst case, I'll have to unbuckle my backplate 
waist belt to do so - it's not a problem if you've thought it through and 
are prepared for it.


Best regards --

Bill

--
Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'.
Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.

Navigate by Author: [Previous] [Next] [Author Search Index]
Navigate by Subject: [Previous] [Next] [Subject Search Index]

[Send Reply] [Send Message with New Topic]

[Search Selection] [Mailing List Home] [Home]