Do you ever practice ditching your weights?

[WaScubaDude]

Getting back into diving after 20years off, it occured to me that many divers, myself included, do not practice ditching weights. With the old belt system at least you had to unbuckle the belt after each dive.

As I think back to trainings, we didn't let divers drop their weights. I am not sure of the actual rationale? (might damage the bottom of the pool or might get lost in the sand??) We would practice a very controlled ditch and don, maybe on the bottom of the pool, but never a simulated emergency ditch at the surface.

I just started using a Zeagle Ranger and practiced dropping the weights in my living room. It was work to get the thing put back together so I don't know if I will practice it enough to know instictively in an emergency. Now there are so many different weight systems, some even two sided.

Do you really have the auto reflex to know how to dump your weight in a stress filled emergency situation?

I am thinking seriously of going back to the a weight belt system. I am also resolved to make our first dive day in Jamaica a training day with real repetitive in-water weight ditch.

What are your thoughts?

[finflippers]

Instead of having them delete the thread that has replies to it how about having them delete this one. and replace your original question on that thread?

[georoc01]

I know we covered this in my confined pool dives, where we took the weights out and then put them back in. And I had one of my weight pockets fall out on a shallow dive once where I caught it, and was able to put it back in underwater.

But beyond that I don't normally voluntarily take equipment off under water, including my weights.

[ertechsg]

Do you know how much those things cost ..and if you drop them the dive op will make you pay for them wouldn't practice on vacation

[Stingray Brett]

I dont Practice that at all

[WaScubaDude]

hey finflipper, sorry if I fd it. My 2nd post here. Didnt look like the first one took. Got error msg screen. Did some edits and reposted.

[WaScubaDude]

A tropical weight belt is worth about $60. My life or my buddy's...priceless.

[finflippers]

The only time I use my quick release weights (when I have any) is when I am back on shore to where I am taking my gear off, then I drop them and take my BC off.

[Bring the Payne]

Originally Posted by finflippers

The only time I use my quick release weights (when I have any) is when I am back on shore to where I am taking my gear off, then I drop them and take my BC off.

That makes two of us. I can't say that I have ever practiced ditching weights except for my cert. classes.

[Liv7301]

We did practice ditching weights during one of the classroom sessions of rescue class. I was glad that we did it. I had never tried to ditching them in my own bc before. (I have a Zeagle Brigade.) I also had no idea how to rethread the ditch system, so it was a nice learning experience all around. I use the rear tank pouches and I realized here that I had to pull the releases up and then down to make sure I got the velcro flaps open in the right order.

Again, I am glad that I learned that in a controlled pool situation so that I have that knowledge if I even need it.