Getting the Best Weight Belts For You
This is one of the simplest pieces of equipment, yet highly necessary to get that seamless diving experience. You need to choose the right weight belts when buying.
In straightforward terms, a weight belt is what sustains you underwater, and ensures you stay there for as long as you need. In the absence of weight belts, you will end up back to the surface sooner than you expect. Even if you begin your dive with neutral buoyancy, your scuba tank can accumulate weight up to six pounds. If you are not putting on a weight belt, you will be back up sooner than you expect.
Furthermore, asides from keeping you underwater, weight belts are also perfect for helping you to level out in the water column. That is, if your buoyancy compensator causes you to tilt to the left. All you need to do is to adjust your weight belt to level yourself, and you are good to go.
So, if your buoyancy compensator has been having issues causing you to tilt, your weight belt will hold you down. This can go on for long, at least till you get a new BC.
What To Consider When Purchasing A Weight Belt?
A weight belt performs a superb job on your weight level. However, there are some things to consider when getting one. Essentially, you have two choices to consider when getting your weight belt. They are
- Hard Weights, and
- Soft Weights
Hard Weights
In times past, hard weights were the only kinds that existed. Everyone had to go with these kinds of weight belts to serve their needs. However, this is no longer the case.
The good thing about this belt is its strength. The hard weights are often challenging to pull. So, once you set them to a level, they stay there and prevent you from tilting either to the left or right. Also, these belts are often cheap. If you are operating on a budget, this is a belt that may serve you adequately.
However, the belts are often uncomfortable. They hold too tightly, and you tend to feel the weight strongly in your hips. If you do not have a strong hip bone, this may really be inconvenient for you.
More so, many dive boats are against hard weight belts. The reason isn’t far-fetched. Dropping hard weight belts can be catastrophic. It can also cause damage to the boat. So, it is often off-putting for many dive boats. No one wants to have to deal with boat damage after diving.
Soft Weights
These belts fit in more conveniently. They are often used with belts containing zippers, Velcro mechanism, and pockets to ensure the weight stays in place.
While these weights may be more expensive, they offer much comfort than you will get from hard weights. When a soft weight drops, it doesn’t cause any catastrophe.
Soft weights are now the go-to for many. You have no reason to get hard weights, as you can get all you need from soft weights. Modern buoyancy compensators are also designed to use soft weights.