WEIGHTBELTS

THE concept of a weightbelt is simple - a 5cm-wide length of webbing threaded with lead weights and joined at the ends by a quick-release buckle. However, manufacturers have come up with several variations on this theme.
Weightbelts can either accommodate lead shot or slabs of lead. The weight is either threaded or kept in pouches, and some weightbelts have braces to help spread the load when the diver is out of the water. Others place the weight somewhere other than at the hips - for example, you can get dedicated pouches for attaching to specific BCs. Prices vary from £5 to £70, but choice is all a matter of comfort and the diver's personal preference.