Dredging weights

[urbanminer]

How much weight do I need to dredge? I have about 60 lbs of lead weights. Is that going to be enough? Should I get more? The weights are on a waist belt. Marc

[Gold Seeker]

Marc,

60 lbs is a good start and will suffice if the water flow is not to fast, in faster water you may/will need additional weight to hold you in your hole.

If you are wearing a thick wetsuit, i.e. 7mm you may also need more weight.

Your body mass is also a determining factor, usually 1/4 to 1/3 of your body weight is a starting point with a 3mm to 5 mm wetsuit.

Be sure that you can release your weight belt under extreme stress/panic, should an emergency situation arise while you are under, went you are under the water any little problem will intensify 50 to 100X when you can't breathe under water, a good quick releasing belt and practice is the only thing that will save your life and always have someone you trust 100% topside that is vigilant and will not panic should you need help!!!


Skip

[Hoser John]

Throw a shoulder toolbelt harness on and the weight is much more evenly distributed. When in extreme conditions just leave another belt in place out in the current to strap on. OR ankle weights work too as my ol'arse seems to love to float(too much pickled eggs and beer/?) or my all time favorite-just get a small boat anchor with a clip to hook to ya and hook in place for the required holding power instead of breaking your back with extreme weight thrown on your psyatic nerve. Weight belts are designed for diving-a couple a hours at a shot , a few times a day and short duration. Us goldnutz spend up to 10 hours a day and when the streak is good for weeks at a time non stop. Shot vests are another easier option too. Mining process and procedure also make a HUGE difference,making a trench to your hole and doing away with the frantic crab crawl to your hole is advisable too. Fun fact for being anchored-when the water rises from a damn dam release you can hydroplane up down/left right all over exactly like skydiving and what a RUSH-look ma no hands. I'll even fly to shore and have a second chain to me for 100' of flying-what can I say when you've lived like a animal for a few weeks and haven't seen a soul-ya gotta improvise for entertainment!!John

[CalGoldDredger]

Like Skip said 60# is a good starting point faster water, deeper water or thicker wet suits might reguire more.
I have gone up to 100# with certain situations, don't over do it sometimes less will work just fine.

[urbanminer]

Thanks for the advise. The anchor system sounds fun! I like the idea of the work vest. I'll have to see what I can find. Marc

[Dawgmining]

John just said it

[Hoser John]

Mr. Adams your new 12 gage avatar just freaks me the LL out. It takes me back to the summer of 65 when I went up on the porch of my girlfriends house, knocked and the door swings WIDE OPEN--OUT COMES A 12 GAGE IN MY FACE AND A CLICK RESOUNDS THROUGH THE AIR. Thank god my girls mom didn't know there were 2 triggers as she only had 1 dum/dum for my young innocent arse. Now hows a young lad to know she'd found out I knocked up her daughter--WHEEE glad I finally got that'n of a my chest and yes sir my anus will always tighten at that view of lookn' down a barrel of a loaded 12 gage--John

[russau]

and/or the sound of a round being chambered in the dark and i cant see where they are! been there also!

[Dawgmining]

Hj i think we dated the same girl
Russ wa sthat guy out in the brush

[Hoser John]

We cranked out 3 till I could get'r' into a shrink and found out the nutjob was planning on 6--my god 6-instant divorce. I shoulda listened to my big brain instead a helmet head and yet #3 was a REAL wallectomy and left me a with a 9 month old baby and a mt bank account-- I can laugh now as a alkie sow living in a 12 x 12" cabin in Mulen Idaho and living outta a bar--life is bizzare--John