Weights

In article <bobPc.21007$cL2.9837065@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.net >, Darkdiver
<darkdiver@optonline.net> wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> I am looking for weight recommendations. I will be diving a 7mm wet suit
> and OMS BCD I will be using a web belt. My question is what is more stable,
> comfortable, hard weight or soft weight? Pro's and con's?
>
> TIA,
> John
>
>

Soft.

Pros - better in almost every way except cost, durability and possibly
environmental protection

Cons - cost more and the bag will eventually break open and dump shot
all over the place. There's also some evidence that lead shot dissolves
more quickly into seawater.

I have tried many combinations. I have found these ...

http://www.dui-online.com/newsite/bc_wt.htm

to be the best.

I use the Halcyon BP/Wing combination and this weight belt works very nicely
with it, in all combinations of exposure protection from 3mm to 7mm FJ
wetsuit and shell type drysuit.



"Darkdiver" <darkdiver@optonline.net> wrote in message
news:bobPc.21007$cL2.9837065@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.n et...
> Hi all,
>
> I am looking for weight recommendations. I will be diving a 7mm wet suit
> and OMS BCD I will be using a web belt. My question is what is more
stable,
> comfortable, hard weight or soft weight? Pro's and con's?
>
> TIA,
> John
>
>

There is one thing about soft weights that no one seems to be talking about.
Lead is a toxic heavy metal. Hard lead weights have minimal surface area
and the surface quickly oxidizes, producing a protective barrier. Soft
weight pockets all contain lead shot. In use and in transport the shot
grinds against itself, producing small particles of lead and lead salts.
These particles are carried away by water. If you ever left a wet shot
filled weightbelt on a vinyl floor you probably noticed a dark grey puddle
when you picked it up later. That is lead! It could present a significant
health hazard to children and pets who have access to the area.

"Darkdiver" <darkdiver@optonline.net> wrote in message
news:bobPc.21007$cL2.9837065@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.n et...
> Hi all,
>
> I am looking for weight recommendations. I will be diving a 7mm wet suit
> and OMS BCD I will be using a web belt. My question is what is more
stable,
> comfortable, hard weight or soft weight? Pro's and con's?
>
> TIA,
> John
>
>

"Cpt. Dale Bennett" <captndale@comcast.net> wrote in message news:<gQrPc.234056$Oq2.81777@attbi_s52>...
> There is one thing about soft weights that no one seems to be talking about.
> Lead is a toxic heavy metal. Hard lead weights have minimal surface area
> and the surface quickly oxidizes, producing a protective barrier. Soft
> weight pockets all contain lead shot. In use and in transport the shot
> grinds against itself, producing small particles of lead and lead salts.
> These particles are carried away by water. If you ever left a wet shot
> filled weightbelt on a vinyl floor you probably noticed a dark grey puddle
> when you picked it up later. That is lead! It could present a significant
> health hazard to children and pets who have access to the area.

I like soft weights, but since someone said they will at some
point and time break open spilling lead pellets. This isn't
good for marine life. Fish or birds can eat the lead pellets.
Ingesting them might not kill them, but with birds it will
cause problems with their offspring and eggs.

That's why duck hunters have to use Steele shot shotgun shells.
because the ducks will eat the pellets and the lead ones will
harm them.

So nothing wrong with soft weight bags, just don't dive one
that is about to fall apart.

One other Pro vs Con of soft weights over hard weights:
If you drop a soft weight on your foot, it might hurt a little,
but if you drop a hard weight on your foot, it will hurt a LOT.

hope this is helpful. -mike

Darkdiver wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> I am looking for weight recommendations. I will be diving a 7mm wet suit
> and OMS BCD I will be using a web belt. My question is what is more stable,
> comfortable, hard weight or soft weight? Pro's and con's?
>
> TIA,
> John
>
>

I used to work for a weigh manufacturer several years ago.
The owner explained it to me this way:

Take a standard 5 pound weight and drop it from eye level on
your foot. It is going to do two things ... mark your shoe
and break a toe.

Now, take a coated 5 pound weight and drop it from eye level
on your foot. It is going to break a toe.

Finally, take a 5 pound shot pouch and drop it from eye
level on your foot. It is not going to do anything. the
shot will deform to cushion spread the impact over the whole
foot.


Your belt is about the same. Coated and raw lead belts are
hard and will ride hard on the hips. For skinny people that
can mean bruises. Shot belts will distribute the weight
more evenly and be a lot more comfortable.

As far as corrosion goes, I used some nickel coated lead
shot in my belts for years. After about 100 dives the
nickel wears off so I had to refill the belt, but I thought
that was a small price to pay for a clean floor in my dive
storage area and no lead corrosion stains on my suit.

If you are going to go with filling your own shot lead, I
suggest that you invest in an ice chest and fill it with a
mixture of Salt-X and water to soak the belt in after
diving. That will greatly reduce the corrosion and extend
the life of the shot.

Just my $.02

--
Ray Contreras
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Webmonkey for:
http://www.ossystems.com
http://www.bobs-garage.com
http://www.rayzplace.com



-----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =-----
http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!
-----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =-----

Darkdiver wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> I am looking for weight recommendations. I will be diving a 7mm wet suit
> and OMS BCD I will be using a web belt. My question is what is more stable,
> comfortable, hard weight or soft weight? Pro's and con's?
>
> TIA,
> John
>
>

John,

this really comes down to a personal choice. I have never used soft so
I certainly can give its benefits. My bcd has an integrated weight
system so either one would be basically the same. With a web belt as
long as you are weighted properly, the belt feels comfortable and the
weight doesn't shift around on you it probably wouldn't make much
difference.

Thanks to all for the input. Thursday I hit the pool and will try both
styles to see what feels best. I will also weigh your comments .

Thank you,
John
"Cpt. Dale Bennett" <captndale@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:gQrPc.234056$Oq2.81777@attbi_s52...
> There is one thing about soft weights that no one seems to be talking
about.
> Lead is a toxic heavy metal. Hard lead weights have minimal surface area
> and the surface quickly oxidizes, producing a protective barrier. Soft
> weight pockets all contain lead shot. In use and in transport the shot
> grinds against itself, producing small particles of lead and lead salts.
> These particles are carried away by water. If you ever left a wet shot
> filled weightbelt on a vinyl floor you probably noticed a dark grey puddle
> when you picked it up later. That is lead! It could present a
significant
> health hazard to children and pets who have access to the area.
>
> "Darkdiver" <darkdiver@optonline.net> wrote in message
> news:bobPc.21007$cL2.9837065@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.n et...
> > Hi all,
> >
> > I am looking for weight recommendations. I will be diving a 7mm wet
suit
> > and OMS BCD I will be using a web belt. My question is what is more
> stable,
> > comfortable, hard weight or soft weight? Pro's and con's?
> >
> > TIA,
> > John
> >
> >
>
>

Hi all,

I am looking for weight recommendations. I will be diving a 7mm wet suit
and OMS BCD I will be using a web belt. My question is what is more stable,
comfortable, hard weight or soft weight? Pro's and con's?

TIA,
John

In article <bobPc.21007$cL2.9837065@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.net >, Darkdiver
<darkdiver@optonline.net> wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> I am looking for weight recommendations. I will be diving a 7mm wet suit
> and OMS BCD I will be using a web belt. My question is what is more stable,
> comfortable, hard weight or soft weight? Pro's and con's?
>
> TIA,
> John
>
>

Soft.

Pros - better in almost every way except cost, durability and possibly
environmental protection

Cons - cost more and the bag will eventually break open and dump shot
all over the place. There's also some evidence that lead shot dissolves
more quickly into seawater.

I have tried many combinations. I have found these ...

http://www.dui-online.com/newsite/bc_wt.htm

to be the best.

I use the Halcyon BP/Wing combination and this weight belt works very nicely
with it, in all combinations of exposure protection from 3mm to 7mm FJ
wetsuit and shell type drysuit.



"Darkdiver" <darkdiver@optonline.net> wrote in message
news:bobPc.21007$cL2.9837065@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.n et...
> Hi all,
>
> I am looking for weight recommendations. I will be diving a 7mm wet suit
> and OMS BCD I will be using a web belt. My question is what is more
stable,
> comfortable, hard weight or soft weight? Pro's and con's?
>
> TIA,
> John
>
>