Weight belts

[Spea feesha]

here's a converter that was passed on to me from spearboard.
Translated version of http://www.chasse-sous-marine.com/magazine/pratik/lest.htm
although there many factors as already mentioned, the calculations were exact for me. Hope this helps.

 

[covert]

Hey nice one ill let you know if that was accurate for me

 

[deep thinker]

here's a converter that was passed on to me from spearboard.
Translated version of http://www.chasse-sous-marine.com/magazine/pratik/lest.htm
although there many factors as already mentioned, the calculations were exact for me. Hope this helps.

This is pretty acurate, I work on about the same amounts of lead than what they work out to be neutral at 10m

 

[ocean_314]

Great site! But its off for me by 3 kilos. Must be the cold water i dive in.

 

[foxfish]

Of course different circumstances require different amounts of weight. For instance when I hunt the shallows, ie 1mtr, I would use a lot more weight than when I hunt 10mtrs. The reason is to sink my waist so my neck is not cricked back at such an acute angle to the surface.

 

[azapa]

here's a converter that was passed on to me from spearboard.
Translated version of http://www.chasse-sous-marine.com/magazine/pratik/lest.htm
although there many factors as already mentioned, the calculations were exact for me. Hope this helps.

That link gives just about perfect results for me. If anything, a little on the light side. Thanks

 

[alix.leclerc]

Hi. If that went for me then, I would also use 7kg? I'm only small (5"6)!
Is it cheep to buy weight belts? I'm selling my surfboard for £150 so I can get some new equipment, fins, fishing knife, snorkel and boots, but I didn't even think about a weight belt.
Also, it it worth getting the really expensive £45 fins when i could get a pair for £20? Does anyone know some good yet cheep equipment tht would be suitable?

xx

 

[Spea feesha]

definately don't wanna skimp on the mask, most of the time I use some cheap $20 snorkling fins, as for weightbelt, you really only need it if your wearing a suit.

 

[azapa]

don't use the long freediving fins if diving in shallow rocky areas. I just about broke mine in the first weekend of use on exiting the rough water. Weights are cheap, and comfortable if you get the amount weight right. Make sure the belt has a buckle that opens just by yanking on the free end of the belt for emergencies. This is especially relevant if you have your stringer and other things dangling from the belt that may get snagged down bellow. Good luck.

 

[covert]

if you get a wheight belt make sure its a rubber belt with a quick release buckle. And yes fins are extremely important there is nothing worse than trying to dive with ill fitting fins, make sure the foot pocket fits well with the socks your going to be wearing. Also make sure that its not too tight or too loose. The other important peace of equipment is the mask. Remember when dealing with masks expensive is'nt always better. Just make sure the mask fits your face well. This is done by putting the mask on your face suck a little air through your nose and then look down. The mask should stick without falling off. If it doesnt stick then try the next one. I had to try about 30 makes before i found one that was perfect for my face.

 

[alix.leclerc]

This is especially relevant if you have your stringer and other things dangling from the belt that may get snagged down bellow. Good luck.

I was thinking about this and also though it would be a good idea to get a fishing knife, one of the ones that straps around your ancles. What do you think? Also, arn't they quite expensive?

Thanks for the advice... I can't wait till next month when I get my money and can buy some equipment. As far as masks go though, I think I might be quite lucky. My father bought be a brand new aqualung sphere not that long ago, but it's still in France so I have to wait till April to go get it. This is a good mask i've heard? He was also looking at getting me a drysuit, and that got me thinking, I bought a 5mm one piece wetsuit, originally planning to surf, would it be suitable to dive in?

Thanks

 

[covert]

hey yeah a knife is extrmely important, and often taken for granted, if your stuck down there and you need to cut yourself out your knife is your only hope, a couple of rules to follow, make sure the knife is good quality stainless steel, sharp, and not longer than 20cm. (the shorter the better) since killing fish with longer knifes normally involves the divers cutting him/herself.

Also make sure the knife is low profile and comes in a pancacke sheath, and try and get one that attaches to your leg via velcro, or neoprene straps. Rubber straps with clips just dont work all that well. Panckace sheaths are excellent, it cuases less drag and doesnt hook on kelp.

 

[azapa]

100% on knives, the should be short and sharp. Strap it to the INSIDE of your calf, it won't get snagged up so easily and is very handy there. If you are shooting rock fish, you may want some gloves that have protected palms, they are covered with spines (here at least)...You could glue a piece of leather onto the palm with wetsuit glue..

 

[alix.leclerc]

That sounds great! I had though about the idea of using it as a "just in case" but thought that I might be exaggerating.
I really love my dad's one, although i only ever got it out once, it looked so sharp I thought I might cut myself just looking at it
Do you think i'll be able to buy: a knife, gloves, boots, fins, snorkel and a big bag to store everything in for £150? What's your advice on buying? There is a little marine shop down my way, will it be better going to them or going online?

Thanks guys, you really are so much help, and really get me worked up or going out there too!

 

[deep thinker]

For spearing purposes I use a small sharp knive, see pic. Mine sits on my weight belt with a backup bigger knive on my calf or fore arm. This knive also needs to be pretty low profile, you dont want it snagging on all kinds of things, cause beleive me it can get uncomfortable. Also your wetsuit question, as a beginner I cant see why it will be a problem allthough you mite want to look into getting a 2 peice open cell suit a bit later on as you progress, Ive dived with a one peice surf suit for almost 3 years till I got my first open cell. Only thing about the one peice suits are that theyre a bit of a mission to get into and that your body needs to warm up the water that comes into the suit.
Save diving and goodluck with the equipment hunt
View attachment 12389

 

[alix.leclerc]

Thanks! I will start having a look as soon as my money comes through.
I'm hopefully getting a new drysuit soon anyway, but any wetsuit is easy enough to get into as long as you use a hell of a lot of soapy water... *and slide*

 

[deep thinker]

Ive always found it very difficult to get into a wet surf suit, the interior coatings stick like all hell... :martial

 

[alix.leclerc]

yeah they do, but you wouldn't believe how much soap helps! I always find it harder to get out of one, especially around the feet, when your really exhasted after being in the water.

I went down "surfing" on the 2nd of January and I didn't appreaciate how tired It could make you so suddenly, and how cold it was after taking off a wetsuit. Then I had to CARRY the 8"0 lump home up a hill. No wonder i've sold the board!

How much was your knife by the way?

 

[azapa]

Alix, your questions are making me think back to when I started, not long ago. The hardest thing to find is not available in your local dive shop: a dive buddy! I go alone nearly all the time, it is terrible, I cut my performance by 50% just to avoid problems, although they could still happen. Start asking around your friends to see if you can find an equally crazy and dedicated partner, that will be the best accessory you can find! Good luck

 

[Huw]

I keep going on about this knife, but if you check out the omer mini laser knife from apnea_intro its about £22, and is low profile, easy to get on and off, sharp, small, well made, and provides great access to the knife from the sheath.

Check it out, mine arrived a couple of days ago, and it seems to be everything i want!

Huw.

PS: Spearguns by Spearo uk ltd finest supplier of speargun, monofins, speargun and freediving equipment is your other main option for the UK, you shoudl definatley check it out.