[jome]

Regarding the weight belt

For recreational diving, I would say you should not be diving anywhere close to such performances you ever need to be worried about BO. But if that makes you feel better, why not.

For CW with a descent line and safety divers, I would say no. If your dive is going to be close, you have much better use for your hands than holding a weight belt. Such as grabbing the rope/float. And most divers are balanced so that they will float from the "risky part" anyway, so I see no point.