Alternative to a rubber weight belt.

[dlspearo]

I had to look for an alternative to a rubber weight belt, as I have wasted the second one. The reason is, because I am a bit overweight I have to pull the belt with 9kg's of lead quite tight otherwise it slips over my hips. It then starts to tear at the hole where the buckle is clipped in. I made up a belt with an old buckle, a piece of car safety belt and a short piece of 20mm spear gun rubber. After ±20hrs in the water I do not think I'll need to buy a rubber belt again.

 

[Apneaddict]

Nice solution!

That's a lot of weight... Is it for shallow diving / spearing in cold water??

 

[dlspearo]

Yip, max 12m , mostly in 11 - 14°C

 

[kwtony]

A lot of people who dive in cold waters wear back harnesses and put their weights on their shoulders.

There are companies that make weight vests, which allow you to store usually from 6-12 lb of weight else where.

I know that people have made home made weight vest with nylon straps.

http://www.spearboard.com/showthread.php?t=174065&highlight=weight+vest

Here is another custom made harness as well to give you ideas.

http://www.spearboard.com/showthread.php?t=175697&highlight=weight+vest

there might not be a lot of ready made vests available , but with a little creativity you might be able to rig something up with items you already have.

http://www.spearboard.com/showthread.php?t=168985&highlight=weight+vest

I have a friend that uses a small 'sport style' backpack...the smaller the better and filled it with lead




Where are you located? That way other members in your region can give you options of local vendors or nearby quality stores to consider

 

[Andrew the fish]

dlspearo, yours isn't a quick-release buckle. Not sure how important this is, I never had to dump my weight belt.

 

[dlspearo]

No Andrew, I've used QR buckles when I was younger, but all of them wear out. I only had to dump my belt once in my time, the boat capsized and we had a 200m swim for shore without fins, so the weights had to go.