Weight ratio vest to belt

Quote from Dan

When using a weight vest what should be the weight ratio vest to belt?

It would depend on the users body fat ratio and build. I change mine to reflect the negative buoyancy of what ever gun I'm carrying. I have ten lbs in my wt belt and and only 4 in my SpearDiver vest when diving over 40FSW.

If I am very shallow (15 to 10 FSW) add 2 more lbs to the vest with a Pursuit 5mm suit.

Cheers, Don

Yes, the way I run mine, the belt always has more wt, I practice unbuckling the wt belt returning from deeper dives at least 5 times a season. On one blackout I had the practice paid off, as I'm still here. I'm a strong believer in drills.

Cheers, Don

Good info! My pursuit vest shipped today!

Quote from Bamz

Good info! My pursuit vest shipped today!

We will need to try it out soon @ Hotel Laguna or up to the Nord-Land.;)

Cheers, Don

As soon as I get some time off. I hate it when this work thing gets in the way :rolleyes1:

I hope this isnt a derail but how much weight would you need before a vest is a good idea? I dont wear a lot of weight especially without a suit on and I know you need to be able to drop a good portion of the weight in an emergency so I was just curious. Don was talking about wearing close to 14 lbs of lead total but I usually only have about half of that on with a 3mm suit.

I know I dont need one. I was just curious at what weight it becomes a good idea to have one. I just like to know stuff lol. Every now and then it becomes helpful.

con traje 3mm mi cinturon tiene 12lbs
entro en flotacion negativa + - 9mts
en apnea, el chaleco peso es interesante para pocos metros (tecnica Dapiran)
en buceo no tengo idea del chaleco peso (creo que Dan se refiere a esto)
en un tiempo used peso en los tobillos, para evitar el efecto de las aletas levantadas

3mm suit my belt is 12lbs
flotation negative = + - 9mts
In apnea, weight vest is interesting to few meters (technical Dapiran)
I have no idea in diving weight vest (I think Dan refers to it)
Used in a time ankles weight, to avoid the effect of uplifted fins

Quote from Dan

So between 2 -1 and 3 -1, Belt - vest weight ratio.

As a rule the belt always has more weight.

Those ratios look good.

I used the pursuit vest with 6# & 9# in it. (1# & 1.5# weights)
Normally wear 15# for 7mm suit (since relatively shallow diving here).

Found it to be VERY top heavy for 9#... & still slightly top heavy for 6#.
Not sure how much of this is familiarity with the vest, but looking at the 2to1 to 3to1 ratio in this thread... seems like I put too much up top.

I sometimes switch between 10ft of water & 60ft of water here... so perhaps I could use 12 on belt and 4 in vest. That way I can use vest primarily as a removable shallow water tool.

I have to look at my PFI course book again. I remember they gave a ratio for belt to neck weights.
3:1 rings a bell right now.

Most of the time I use 6 on my belt and a 3 lb neck weight. (using my pocket calculator I get 2:1)

Quote from hank

I have to look at my PFI course book again. I remember they gave a ratio for belt to neck weights.
3:1 rings a bell right now.

Most of the time I use 6 on my belt and a 3 lb neck weight. (using my pocket calculator I get 2:1)

I don't know if PFI instructors are considering things the diver may be carrying that has negative buoyancy: ie camera, heavy gun, abb iron, and where it is positioned relative to his wt belt axis. Guys that fill the bottom of their lungs vs just lifting the chest and pulling in the abs will have their head/shoulders higher then their hips on the surface.

I use a very negative gun at times, and where I position it fore and aft trims my body angle at the surface due to the geometry of the lever axis/pivot point.

Cheers, Don

Quote from Dan

And BTW guys it's now a Speardiver vest

and BTW in a couple of weeks the vest will be available in all the camo patterns as the wetsuits.

Got my new SPEARDIVER vest today! I didn't want to wait a couple weeks for Camo, besides I heard Black is the new Camo this year! :laughing:

Quote from Dan

When using a weight vest what should be the weight ratio vest to belt?

Interesting thread.
I bought a Pursuit Sombra Weight Vest, as i was thinking to move the major part of the weight in the back.
It doesn't look to be the way to do. 2/1 is probably the best ratio. In that case the vest is very confortable.

Don't expect to put 12 pounds in your back in a vest. 6 is confortable. It that way, you can't feel the vest and forget about it.

I used the vest twice and I don't think I really need it, so if someone want one at a good price, let me know (picture and price by PM, since it is not the For sale section)

Hello:

Best to go to 33' and see if you are positive or Negative as far as buoyancy is concerned. If you still float up at 33' add a 1 lb and repeat. Everyone's body is different, and just saying all you are wearing is a vest, may not help with the actual weight determination. Grab your Gun, Low volume mask, put that vest on, and check that buoyancy. Neutral at 33 feet should be you goal, unless you are diving in very Shallow water.
Bruce

Quote from Bruceo

Hello:

Best to go to 33' and see if you are positive or Negative as far as buoyancy is concerned. If you still float up at 33' add a 1 lb and repeat. Everyone's body is different, and just saying all you are wearing is a vest, may not help with the actual weight determination. Grab your Gun, Low volume mask, put that vest on, and check that buoyancy. Neutral at 33 feet should be you goal, unless you are diving in very Shallow water.
Bruce

bruce nailed it...find the weight you need, then spread it around until you are most comfortable or are naturally oriented as you want to be.

Mickael- email me : phorbinn @ msn.com. I think Id like to try a vest