belt or harness

[jimy286]

Wat is the advantage of having the waits on a harniss..there allso does not seam to be quick realse on them????

[spaghetti]

The best solution is to distribute weights all over your body, on belt, harness and ankles, for better balance and to release your lower back from sustaining all the weight.
When hunting in shallow-intermediate depth, I use a Seatec 3kg harness, a belt with 3 up to 6 kilograms (depending on depth and suit thickness) and ankle weight half kilo each.
-the ankle weights also help fins to be more stable
-the harness reliefs the lower back from part of the weight
-the belt, with quick release buckle, holds the bigger share.
You're right on harness being not quick to release in case of emergency: I suggest every one to use NO harness when diving deep (which means no harness under 12 meters)

[Mr. X]

I was keen on the idea of a weight vest when I realised I was going to be wearing around 20-24lb (10Kg) of lead. However, in practice, it sits on my rubber Marseille belt fine - simple. Initially I found my legs floating up to be a problem but it no longer does -- until last week, when it started bothering me again.

If you decide to get a weight vest/gilet/harness, there is a thread that discusses the various models available. Probably best to carry some/most weight on your belt and less in the vest -- so you can at least dump a good chunk of the weight. Some models can be attached to the belt or slipped under it - not sure if this a good idea or not.

[azapa]

hmm, the big problem I have with the Marseilles belt and 8Kg of lead is that It won't stay on my hips. Instead it wobbles up to my waist and cramps any attempts to diaphragm breathe. When I have been lucky enough to wear a thinner suit with 4Kg, the belt would stay on my hips fine.
Hence: i'm looking to get half the weight off my belt too, the harness would be perfect. ANY DIY ideas/photos of such harnesses?

[Pastor]

I feel your pain I hate it too. When I'm diving shallow I find I'm being bent double backwards as if I'm trying to crawl through the u bend of the bog I like to use ankle weights like spaghetti, I find them a great help on these shallow dives. At the end of this last season I started making a baudrier as an experiment to work out a good design for myself. I haven't got as far as buying any straps for it yet and it's held together with an old bicycle inner tube tatty I know but the whole affair seemed to work quite well. The weather turned bad before I had time to make up my mind fully about it.
Picture of the wooden mold I used to make them too

[azapa]

looks good pastor, just what I was after, thanks. Do you pour the molten lead directly in the wooden mold? I was thinking on making a weight in wax, shaping it a bit to fit my back, and placing it in sand, then poring on the lead. But your way seems simpler.

Now if you could just get in the water a little this week and tell me how it feels please

[Pastor]

Yeah straight in, the finish isn't as good as with a metal mold because the air in the woods pores expands like F... and bubbles away for a while but it's more than acceptable. You don't need to make the plates thick so you can smack them around with a hammer to fit your body, they bend very easily.

[azapa]

great.

idea: tin foil lining to wooden mold?

[Pastor]

That would do it I think, it's not problem but it just gives an interesting texture

[Mr. X]

I'm impressed Pastor

Originally Posted by azapa

hmm, the big problem I have with the Marseilles belt and 8Kg of lead is that It won't stay on my hips. Instead it wobbles up to my waist and cramps any attempts to diaphragm breathe. When I have been lucky enough to wear a thinner suit with 4Kg, the belt would stay on my hips fine.
Hence: i'm looking to get half the weight off my belt too, the harness would be perfect. ANY DIY ideas/photos of such harnesses?

Sounds like some kind of harness might be in order. However, I seem to recall seeing a freediver - probably Tanya Streeter - with a crotch lace/strap, presumably to stop their weight belt riding up when diving down. I think there was a discussion on an old thread about how that should be attached (so the quick release still works). Eating more pies might also help

[I carry almost 10Kg on my RA marseille belt & it doesn't move about much. I cinch it in so it is slightly tight rather than slightly loose. The belt stretches & the wetsuit gives some.]

[azapa]

mr x. mine does not move either when its on my stomach, but thats the problem, we should not have these restrictions on breathing. Maybe a little extreme and only needed for very deep dives (was taught this on FIT II course) but even for spearing every little helps I suppose. Will get cracking on the DIY!

Pies are good in any situation and will be eaten!