New, thinking about using weights, dangers?

[sdwaterman]

Hey how are you guys doing? I am relativly new to spearfishing, and am thinking about using some weights, and increasing my range from 0-20ft to deeper,but want to know the dangers. (blacking out) I have heard about it but not much. Please can anyone help. as well as equalizing.

thanks

 

[Shadowkiller]

Weights are used to counteract the boyancy of a wetsuit.

If depth is your problem, you'll need to gradually work on increasing your equalising, and total breath-hold.

Simply stacking more weights onto your weightbelt wont help.

Being too heavy, ie not boyant above 5m or so, means you spend more energy trying to surface, which can increase the risk of a Shallow Water Blackout.

 

[sdwaterman]

thanks for the info, I have gotten a lot more since I posted this. Thanks for the help.

 

[Nassau Hunter]

How much weight are you wearing now and how much do you want to increase too?

 

[Nassau Hunter]

Shadowkiller... Is that what you want, positive bouyancy above 5m?

 

[Shadowkiller]

Yep, the majority of my diving is done in depths of 10m or greater, so a 5m boyant level gives me a safety factor if something goes wrong during my ascent. If I'm planning on doing deeper dives, 20-25m, then I'll actually take weight off my weight belt, so I'm boyant above 10m. Its easier for my dive buddy to help me if I'm floating at the surface, then if I'm sinking to the bottom because I'm too heavy.

You won't be able to get your weightbelt off in a SWB emergency, as you'll have passed out before you know it.

 

[sdwaterman]

I am not using weights at all, but I was planning on doing so, and wanted to know the dangers.

 

[Madmox]

Weighting itself is not inherently dangerous. You should not get carried away but like Shadowkiller said you should weight yourself to be neutrally bouyant at 15 feet. This will give you a safety cushion against shallow water blackout because that will primarily occur between 10 and 15 feet. Due to that is when you get the greatest pressure change. In order to make it even safer aviod excessive hyperventilation because that significantly increases your risk of Shallow Water Blackout. Likewise don't get too attached to your weightbelt. I know they are expensive especially if your wearing a decent amount of weight but is your life really worth a 60 dollar weightbelt. If you have any question about making it to the surface ditch it it is an expendable piece of equiptment.

Mox