I’ve been using a diving backplate and harness from Deep Sea Supply for my scuba diving for a number of years now. The harness I use is somewhat Hogarthian, which in simple terms means it is a single piece of webbing and does not include any pockets or weight system integration. With this configuration the best method for using weights with a backplate is to use a weight belt, since it allows for separate ditching. However, weight belts and I don’t get along well unless I use suspenders, which then interferes with the harness and introduces entanglement scenarios I’d rather avoid.
I started by using a combination of bolt on weight plates from DSS (which work great) and small weight pockets on the belt webbing near the base of the backplate. This works well but it means that I have a lot of weight on me which is not quickly ditch-able (weights can be removed from the small pockets, but not quickly). In an effort to avoid this issue I looked at a number of different options for adding ditchable weights to a backplate setup.
I settled on the DiveRite 16LB QB Weight Pocket (#AC3216) as a ditchable weight system for my backplate setup:
The first complaint I had about the system for my usage is the webbing mount point when connected horizontally (the system supports both methods). In the horizontal scenario the webbing connection to the 2″ waist belt is quite loose and will side over standard weight keepers (as seen in the photo below).
I had to purchase plastic weight keepers with extended D rings in order to keep the pockets in place and secured up against the backplate (as seen in photo below).
The system loads easily and feels secure. The quick release pull works with an expected level of force, but I’ve found the extra velcro stabilizer strap requires a second expenditure of force to release, which could be confusing if a third party is doing the pulling in a rescue scenario.
The product is priced well (nothing in diving is cheap) and feels quite well made. The manufacture says each weight pocket is able to accommodate 8 lb of weight for a total of 16lb, but I wouldn’t be surprised if you could double that. I’m using single plastic coated weights in each pocket, and it handles that with only 50% of the weight capacity used. If you are looking for a ditch-able weight system for a backplate harness (or any 2″ webbing harness system) I recommend giving this product a look.
Hello Chris,
Thank you for this review. Where did you get the plastic weight keeper with the D-ring?
Hi Nancy, Omer makes the one I purchased, but there are probably others out there:
http://www.leisurepro.com/p-osbwbdr/omer-sub-weight-belt-d-ring
Thanks Chris. Another question: Do the weights slip in and out of the pockets easily enough to load the weights after dawning the rig? My rig is already heavy lifting to put it on without adding 16lbs. (currently I use a DUI weight harness for my weights so the weight is not on the rig).
Yes, I typically put the harness on, then add in the weight pockets after I’m all strapped in – it is easy for a buddy to do as well. The pockets for the weights are stiff enough that it is easy to slide them in for me (at least in the vertical orientation). The only issue I could see is if you had the pockets really stuffed full of awkwardly sized weights (like a bunch of 1s and 2s), then it wouldn’t slide in as easily.