DUI Weight & Trim Classic User manual

WEIGHT & TRIM SYSTEM
OWNER’S MANUAL
Congratulations on purchasing a DUI Weight & Trim System.The Weight &
Trim System is different from conventional weight belts in that it distributes
the weight between the waist and the shoulders and eliminates the slipping
and rotating problems common with traditional weight belts. Both the Weight
& Trim Classic and Weight & Trim II Systems allow the diver to adjust the
height of the weights.The Weight & Trim Classic provides even more
adjustment capabilities and allows the weight to be moved forward or back.
These adjustments enable the diver to better trim themselves in the water
while diving.
Do not use this Weight & Trim System until you have read, understood, and
followed all instructions and safety precautions in this owner’s manual and
practiced emergency weight drop skills. If the owner’s manual is unavailable or
lost a copy may be obtained by contacting DUI. A copy may also be
downloaded from the website at www.DUI-Online.com.
Diving Unlimited International, Inc.
1148 Delevan Dr., San Diego, CA 92102-2499 USA
Tel: [phone] or 619-236-1203
Fax: [phone]
CustomerSer[email protected]
Manual Part# 550420
1
Introduction................

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Definitions of important words used in this manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Important Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Weight & Trim Classic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Sizing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Checking the Fit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Weight & Trim II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Sizing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Checking the Fit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Preparing to Dive the Weight & Trim System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
The Advantages of a DUI Weight & Trim System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Loading the Weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Weight Distribution and Trim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Inspecting the Weight & Trim System Prior to Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Putting on the Weight & Trim System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Removing the Weight & Trim System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Diving with the Weight & Trim System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Removing Your Weights before Exiting the Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Dropping Your Weights in an Emergency Situation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
How to Release the Weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Maintenance of Your Weight & Trim System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Post Dive Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Reattaching Weight Pockets of the Weight & Trim Classic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Reattaching Weight Pockets of the Weight & Trim II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Deterioration of Hook and Pile Fastener . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
DUI International Distributor Listing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
2

DEFINITIONS OF IMPORTANT WORDS USED
IN THIS MANUAL
Throughout this manual we will use certain words to call your attention to
conditions, practices, or techniques that may directly affect your safety. Pay
particular attention to information introduced by the following signal words:
!!! DANGER !!!
Indicates an imminently hazardous situation which, if
not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.
!! WARNING !!
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not
avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
! CAUTION !
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation, which, if not
avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury. It may
also be used to alert against unsafe practices.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
If any portion of this manual is unclear, or if you are unable to obtain
satisfactory answers from your dive store or instructor, contact DUI at:
1-800-325-8439 619-236-1203
Fax [phone]
CustomerSer[email protected]
www.DUI-Online.com
3
Definitions............................................

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
The Weight & Trim System is intended for use by certified scuba divers or
divers in training under the supervision of a qualified instructor.
!! WARNING !!
Follow all instructions and heed these safety
precautions. Improper use or misuse of your Weight &
Trim System could result in serious injury or death.
!! WARNING !!
DO NOT USE this unless you have practiced and
mastered the weight drop procedures
described in this manual.
!! WARNING !!
Improper use or misuse of your Weight & Trim System
could result in a loss of buoyancy control, including
uncontrolled rapid ascent, resulting in decompression
sickness, air embolism, forms of diving barotrauma, or
other lung overpressure injuries.
!! WARNING !!
Rapid ascent is dangerous and may cause air embolism,
decompression sickness, forms of barotrauma, or other
lung overpressure injuries.These can all result in serious
injury or death.
!! WARNING !!
Diving in overhead environments, such as ice diving, cave
diving, or wreck diving, are all especially hazardous
activities.Although your Weight & Trim System may be
used for these activities, special equipment, training, and
procedures are required. Do not engage in these
technical diving activities unless you have been
thoroughly trained and specially equipped.
4
Safety .....................................................

• Read this entire manual before using the Weight & Trim System, even if you
have experience with other weighting systems. Keep the manual for future
reference.
• If you resell or loan this equipment to someone, be sure that this manual
accompanies the system and is read and understood before the Weight &
Trim System is used.
• Failure to follow all warnings and instructions for use and maintenance of the
Weight & Trim System may result in serious injury, or in extreme situations,
death.
•This manual is supplied to the original purchaser of the Weight & Trim
System. If you have any questions about the use or maintenance of the Weight
& Trim System, or if you need another copy of this manual, contact DUI:
Diving Unlimited International, Inc.
1148 Delevan Dr. San Diego, CA 92102-2499 USA
1-800-325-8439 619-236-1203
Fax [phone]
CustomerSer[email protected]
www.DUI-Online.com
5
Safety .....................................................

SIZING
The Weight & Trim Classic consists of a harness assembly and two removable
weight pockets. For a proper fit the Classic comes in three sizes.The following
table can assist in selecting the correct size.Although the chart cannot address
all body shapes and sizes, start with the size recommended by the table and
continue with the fit check.
Size Height
Feet cm
S5’-5’4” 152-163
M5’4”-5’10” 163-179
L5’10”-6’6” 178-199
CHECKING THE FIT
Load weights into the Weight & Trim Classic and use the following to check
the fit:
• Set the Weight & Trim Classic on the ground with the back of the unit facing
you, waist buckle open.
• While standing with your arms straight at your sides, cross your straight
arms in front of you, so your hands are pointing toward the ground.
• Bend down and grab the harness by the shoulders.
• Lift the unit from the ground and, with caution, swing the unit to the left or
right and onto your shoulders.
• With the weight evenly distributed on each shoulder, fasten the waist belt.
The buckle does not need to be worn as snugly as a standard weight belt.
The shoulder straps support the weight and determine the position of the
belt.
• Adjust the shoulder strap length by adjusting the height of the slide
bars on the shoulder straps. See Figure 1.The top edges of the
weight pocket assemblies are to be even with the top edge of the
hipbone. Check to see that your weight pockets are in proper
6
Weight & Trim Classic.......................
Figure 1

alignment by placing your thumb at the top
edge of the hipbone on each side.The top
edge of the weight pocket assembly should
be even with the thumb. See Figure 2. After
a few dives, you may find that having the
weight pockets higher or lower than this
point to be more comfortable for you and
provide you with better trim (position) in the
water.
• Position of the weight pocket: A good starting
point is to align the center of each weight
pocket assembly on each side of the body.
• The weight pocket assemblies should not interfere when the legs are lifted. If
there is interference, the weight pocket assemblies can be moved back on
the waist belt.
• The shoulder strap crossover, the point at
which the two
straps are stitched
together at the
back, should be
3-6 inches (7.6-
15.2 cm) from
the base of
the neck.
See Figure 3a. It should not be so high as to cut into the back of the neck.
See Figure 3b.Too low, and the shoulder straps will have a tendency to fall
off the shoulders. See Figure 3c.
7
Weight & Trim Classic.......................
Figure 2
Figure 3a Figure 3b Figure 3c

SIZING
The DUI Weight & Trim II consists of a harness assembly and two removable
weight pockets. For a proper fit the unit is available in six sizes.The following
table will assist you in selecting the correct size.
Size Height Waist-Shoulder-Waist Hip
Circumference
Feet cm Inches cm Inches cm
S 5’-5’4” 153-163 26-43 66-109 32-44 81-112
M 5’4”-5’6” 163-168 28-45 71-114 34-46 86-117
M/L 5’6”-5’8” 168-173 30-47 76-119 36-48 91-122
L 5’8”-5’10” 173-178 32-49 81-125 38-50 97-128
XL 6’-6’2” 183-188 34-51 86-130 40-52 102-132
XXL 6’2”+ 188+ 36-55 91-140 42-54 107-137
Waist-Shoulder-Waist: The distance measured from the back of the waist
over the shoulder to the front of the waist.
Hip Circumference: Circumference measured at the top edge of the hip.
CHECKING THE FIT
• Set the Weight & Trim II on the ground with the back of the unit facing you,
waist buckle open.
• Standing with your arms straight at your sides, cross your straight arms in
front of you, so your hands are pointing toward the ground.
• Bend down and grab the shoulder straps.
• Lift the unit from the ground and, with caution, swing the unit to the left or
right and onto your shoulders.
• With the weight evenly distributed on each shoulder, fasten the waist belt.
The buckle does not need to be worn as snugly as a standard weight belt.
The shoulder straps support the weight and determine the position of the
belt.
8
Weight & Trim II..................................

• Check to see if your weight is at the proper place by
placing your thumb at the top edge of the hipbone
on each side.The top edge of the weight pocket
assembly should be even with the thumb. See Figure
4. If not, shorten the shoulder strap length by pulling
downward on the strap underneath the buckle or
lifting the buckle upward releasing the strap to make
it longer.
• After a few dives, you may find that having the weight
pockets higher or lower than this point to be more
comfortable for you and provide you with better
trim (position) in the water.
• The weight pocket assemblies should not interfere when the legs are lifted. If
there is interference, the weight pocket assemblies can be moved higher on
the hip.
• The point at which the shoulder
straps separate from the harness in
the back, should be 3-6 inches
(7.6-15.2 cm) from the base of
the neck. See Figure 5a. If the
crossover is too high it will
dig into the back of the neck.
See Figure 5b.Too low, and
the shoulder straps will have a
tendency to fall off the shoulders. See Figure 5c.
9
Weight & Trim II..................................
Figure 4
Figure 5a Figure 5b Figure 5c

PREPARING TO DIVE THE
WEIGHT & TRIM SYSTEM
THE ADVANTAGES OF A DUI WEIGHT & TRIM
SYSTEM
There are many advantages to using a DUI Weight & Trim System:
Comfort: The DUI Weight & Trim harness distributes the load to the
shoulders. This alleviates most lower back discomfort commonly associated
with diving.
Slippage/Position: The DUI Weight & Trim System fits loosely around the
waist/hip area and the straps are under the BC. It will not slip or rotate during
the dive.
Weight Distribution: Although weight integrated BCs are popular today, many
do not allow you to wear all of the weight comfortably. You can use the DUI
Weight & Trim System to divide up your weight between your weight
integrated BC to make your equipment easier and more comfortable to
handle.
Trim: Proper weight distribution will allow you to achieve proper trim (body
placement) in the water. Proper trim will allow you to swim more easily thus
using your air more efficiently and controlling your buoyancy.
Achieving trim can take a few dives to find the proper weight placement for
you. Finding your trim is easier with the DUI Weight & Trim Systems because
they give you greater flexibility in where you wear your weights.
! CAUTION !
There are many subtle components and concepts in the
design of DUI Weight & Trim Systems. Do not attempt to
copy or modify any of their parts. Improper modification
or parts substitution may cause the systems to work
improperly and could result in the diver being unable to
release weights when needed.
10
Preparation...........................................

LOADING THE WEIGHTS
The right and left weight pocket assemblies have two pockets. Each pocket can
accept either molded lead weights and/or lead shot packaged in pouches of up
to 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of weight for a total of 40 pounds (18 kg). Some styles
of lead weights may limit the maximum capacity of the pockets.
To load the pockets, open the pocket flaps and insert the weights into the
pockets then close the flaps by pulling down on the flaps and engaging the
hook and pile fasteners.The flaps are properly closed when the hook on the
flaps fully engage the pile on the pockets. Do not overfill the pockets.
Overfilling the pockets prevents the hook on the flaps from fully engaging the
pile on the pockets and the weights will not be held securely in the pockets.
WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION AND TRIM
Most divers distribute their total weight as evenly as possible within the four
pockets. However, you may want to experiment with weight distribution in
each pocket. Putting the heavier portion of the weight in the front pocket will
effect your trim differently than putting the heavier portion of the weight in
the back pocket. Experimentation will tell you the weight distribution that best
meets your diving needs.
11
Preparation...........................................

INSPECTING THE WEIGHT & TRIM SYSTEM PRIOR
TO USE
Always take the time to carefully inspect your Weight & Trim System prior to
each dive. Inspect the following items:
1. Test the weight release mechanism on each side for proper operation.
They should not be worn or broken.
2. Inspect the mounting loops on the back of each weight pocket assembly.
All six pocket mounting loops should be securely attached and in good
condition.
3. Inspect the waist belt buckle and shoulder strap slides.They should
function properly and not be cracked or broken.
4. Inspect and test the hook and pile fastener on the pocket flaps and weight
release mechanism. If there is insufficient adhesion between the mating
surfaces they must be replaced.
!! WARNING !!
Hook and pile fasteners have a limited useful number of
cycles.When it no longer has the same holding power it
did when it was new it must be replaced.
PUTTING ON THE WEIGHT & TRIM SYSTEM
• To put on the Weight & Trim System by yourself, first check to be sure that
all of the weight pockets are properly closed. If the pockets are not closed
correctly, weights could fall out of the pocket and possibly damage your
equipment or injure other divers around you.The buckle at the waist must
be open.
!! WARNING !!
Always check to ensure that all of the weight pockets
are securely closed before putting on the Weight & Trim
System.Any weights that fall out of the pockets may
cause personal injury, damage your equipment
or injure others.
12
Preparation...........................................

• Set the Weight & Trim System on the ground with the back of the unit facing
you with the waist buckle open.
• While standing with your arms straight at your sides, cross your straight
arms in front of you, so your hands are pointing toward the ground.
• Maintain this position and bend down to grab the harness by the shoulders.
• Lift the unit from the ground and, with caution, swing the unit to the left or
right and onto your shoulders.
• With the weight evenly distributed on each shoulder, fasten the waist belt.
The buckle does not need to be worn as snugly as a standard weight belt.
The shoulder straps support the weight and determine the position of the
belt.
• The operation of your buoyancy compensator should not interfere with
your Weight & Trim System.The operation of your Weight & Trim System
should not interfere with your buoyancy compensator.Test the operation of
each piece of equipment prior to diving. In particular, you must be able to
drop your weights without any interference from your buoyancy
compensator or any other piece of equipment.
!! WARNING !!
Prior to diving with your Weight & Trim System, put on
the system and your buoyancy compensator. Check to
be sure that each of these pieces of equipment operate
properly without interference from the other.You must
be able to ditch your weights quickly and easily. In
particular, check to be sure that you can operate the
release cords on the Weight & Trim System without
interference from your BC.
Do not dive with the system unless you are able to
operate the release cords properly.
13
Preparation...........................................

The release handles on the Weight & Trim System are made to accommodate
large hands wearing thick gloves. Given this, it is possible for a diver to
incorrectly pass the ends of the waist belt through the loops to “wire” the belt
in a condition where the weight pockets can only be released with great
difficulty. Even if the weight pockets are released under these circumstances
they will still hang from the waist belt of the Weight & Trim System.The weight
pockets will then hang between the diver’s legs.This situation can lead to
entanglement, leg or foot injuries, and drowning.
!! WARNING !!
Never thread the waist belt through
the weight release handles.This makes the weight
pockets difficult or impossible to release and
may lead to serious injury or death.
REMOVING THE WEIGHT & TRIM SYSTEM
To remove the Weight & Trim System open the waist belt and pass the right
hand under the right shoulder strap.The weight will now be supported on the
left shoulder. Grasp and hold the waist belt with the left hand and let the left
shoulder strap slide off the shoulder supporting the weight with the left hand.
14
Preparation...........................................

DIVING WITH THE
WEIGHT & TRIM SYSTEM
Diving with the Weight & Trim System requires little or no change from your
normal diving pattern. However, you will immediately notice that diving is
more comfortable and the Weight & Trim System provides better trim.Take
notice of how your weights are riding on your body and do not hesitate to
make adjustments until you get it adjusted to the most comfortable position
for you.
REMOVING YOUR WEIGHTS BEFORE EXITING THE
WATER
When exiting the water onto a ladder or swim step it may be advantageous to
remove the weight pocket assemblies.You can hand them to someone or tie
them off so you may exit the water without the weight.To do this, simply
grasp the release handle and pull the assembly free, taking care not to drop it.
Once the assembly has been handed off, repeat the process with the remaining
assembly.
Cross-releasing is releasing the right weight pocket assembly with the left hand
instead of the right hand. Cross-releasing can result in all the weight being on
one side of the diver, resulting in the diver being unbalanced, making it difficult
to maneuver and handoff or tie off the weight pocket assembly.
! CAUTION !
DUI advises against cross-releasing a weight pocket
unless it is absolutely necessary
such as in an emergency.
15
Diving ....................................................

DROPPING YOUR WEIGHTS IN AN EMERGENCY
SITUATION
In certain diving emergency situations it may become necessary to drop all or
part of your weights to achieve positive buoyancy.This may occur due to the
failure of a buoyancy compensator.
If buoyancy has failed, it may be necessary to drop part or all of the weights to
achieve neutral or positive buoyancy. In fact, under certain situations, dropping
all of the weights may be very undesirable, due to the rapid ascent that will
follow.
The Weight & Trim System allows the experienced diver to make a judgment
regarding the removal of weight in an emergency situation. If it is not necessary
to drop all of the weight, the diver may selectively drop only half of his/her
weights.This may be all that is necessary to re-establish buoyancy control
without the risk of an overly rapid ascent. Since each diving emergency occurs
under a different set of circumstances and all divers have varying degrees of
experience, DUI cannot advise you when to drop all weights and when to drop
half of the weights.
!! WARNING !!
Opening the waist belt buckle will not allow the diver to
drop the Weight & Trim System. In all probability, the
unit will still hang by the shoulders or be trapped under
the diver’s buoyancy compensator device.To achieve
positive buoyancy in an emergency situation, the only
sure method of dropping the weights is to pull the
release handles until weight pocket assembly is
completely free of the diver and then releasing it.
16
Diving ....................................................

HOW TO RELEASE THE WEIGHTS
• To release half of your weights, place your thumb through the loop of a
weight release handle and grasp it, pulling the handle straight out and away
from your body.The hand used to release the weight pocket assembly should
be the hand closest to the assembly i.e. right hand right assembly. Do not
reach across your body to release the weights from the opposite side unless
it is absolutely necessary. As soon as the weight assembly is free and clear of
the body drop it by releasing the handle.
• Repeat on other side as neccessary.
!! WARNING !!
Dropping all of your weights at one time can make you
excessively buoyant.We advise against dropping all of
your weights unless an immediate, rapid ascent to the
surface is essential. Rapid ascent is dangerous and may
lead to air embolism, decompression sickness, or other
lung over-pressure injuries.
17
Diving ....................................................

MAINTENANCE OF YOUR
WEIGHT & TRIM SYSTEM
Proper maintenance of your Weight & Trim System is very important. It is very
simple to care for and requires a minimum amount of attention.
POST DIVE CARE
• Rinse the entire system thoroughly with fresh water.
• Remove the weights from the pockets and flush the pockets with fresh
water.This will remove any sand or other matter that may have accumulated
in the pockets.
• Do not dry in direct sunlight.
• Store in a cool dry place.
REATTACHING WEIGHT POCKETS OF THE WEIGHT
& TRIM CLASSIC
If you have released the weights you will need to restring them before you can
use the Weight & Trim Classic for diving again.This is a very simple procedure
that can be accomplished in a few minutes.There is a left and right weight
pocket assemby. Theyarenot interchangeable.
To install the weight pockets perform these steps:
1. Attach the patch of pile fastener on the weight release handle to the patch
of hook fastener on the back of the weight
pocket assembly.
2. Thread the nylon lanyard that attaches
the weight release handle to the
weight pocket assembly under the
nylon loop on the back of the
weight pocket assembly so that it
lies flat.The lanyard will be doubled
over when it is properly installed. See
Figure 6.
3. Place the back side of the weight pocket assembly against the outside of
the weight carrier so the mounting webbing loops on the weight pocket
assembly line up with the grommet holes on the weight carrier. If the
holes do not line up exactly, either it is on upside down, or you have the
18
Maintenance.........................................
Figure 6

wrong weight pocket assembly and it must be
moved to the other side.
4. The two ends of the weight release cables must
be threaded through the two small diameter
grommets located on the front edge of the
weight carrier. See Figure 7.
5. The weight release cables
must pass through each of
the pocket assembly
mounting loops. Pull each
mounting loop through the
grommets and thread the
cable through the loop. See
Figure 8.
6. The ends of the cable should
be placed under the buckle
that attaches the weight
carrier to the waist belt.The ends of
the cable must never be knotted or
tied in any way or the weights cannot be
dropped. See Figure 9.
!! WARNING !!
Do not tie or knot the cable. Doing so could prevent the
cable from moving through the attachment mounting
loops smoothly, making the ditching of the weights
difficult or impossible.
19
Maintenance.........................................
Figure 9
Figure 8
Figure 7