This weekend, I set up the 30 cf tank I originally planned to use as a deco
tank, as a boat maintenance scuba tank.  Since I plan to use it only
occasionally and only for such things as cutting line off my props,
recovering my anchor, a minimal configuration was my preference.

I managed to find one of the old rubber backpacks, complete webbing and
buckles, one at the waist and one at the left shoulder.  BTW, if I were to
set up my usual plate and wing with a shoulder release, this would be my
method of choice.  It's no more a significant failure point than the buckle
at my waist is and it works just fine.  Personally, I have no plans to add a
shoulder release, but this is how I would do it if I were going to do it at
all.  The setup, with a button pressure gauge and a single second stage,
suits me, and my purpose well.  I dove for about 30 of my more than 40 years
of diving, without a BC of any kind and, to keep it as simple and compact as
possible, I chose to do the same with this setup.

At any rate, the point of this message, a point I think Charlie Hammond will
find particularly interesting, is that the larger of the local dive stores
had several slip on weights by Sporasub.  Each weight is 1 kg, just under
2.25 lbs.  They slide down onto standard webbing and lock into place with a
cam lever that folds flush with the weight.  They can be added or removed
without undoing the buckle or other equipment that may be threaded onto a
the webbing and are as easy to remove and ditch as they are to install and
secure, much easier than any pouch I've seen.  For those that use setups
with web straps, including those that use DIR style plates and harness
setups, these weights provide an excellent way to add or subtract a couple
of lbs quickly and easily without the complications of a weight belt, a
weight belt that , in my opinion, and configuration, is an unnecessary, and
uncomfortable failure point.

Charlie, FYI, the shop has the clip on weights is Waterworld (I think that's
the name of it) next to Outdoor World on Ravenswood Road, just south of
Griffin.  The weights are hideously expensive.  Suggested retail is about
$30 each.  They were marked down to $14 and change, still very expensive for
a little more than 2 lbs of weight, but worth it to me, for this project.
Then again, last time I checked, Halcyon was getting $25 each for weight
pockets, even more hideously expensive.  Not knowing exactly how much weight
I'll need with a plastic instead of a steel plate and a tank that is both
less and more negative than anything else (less negative when full, more
when empty), I figured better safe than sorry.  I expect I'll also use these
weights to offset the buoyancy of a wetsuit on the rare occasions that I
wear one.

Lee