DIY Freediving Neckweight: Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Own

Welcome to our guide on making a neckweight for freediving! If you're here, you likely understand the importance of streamlined equipment in freediving. Whether you're exploring the depths of the ocean or practicing in a pool, a well-fitted neckweight can make a significant difference in your diving experience. In this article, we'll walk you through the process of creating your own neckweight using a style that is easy to build and also easy to repair, complementing our detailed YouTube tutorial. Let's dive in!

Why You Need a Neckweight for Freediving

Neckweights are essential for both pool and depth diving for several reasons:

1. Streamlining: A neckweight helps streamline your body, reducing drag and allowing you to glide through the water more efficiently. This is crucial in both pool and depth diving, where maintaining a streamlined position can significantly affect your performance. The advantage over a weightbelt is now your weight is closer to your lungs holding you flatter for pool training and in depth it is beneficial for keeping a straight freefall profile (think of it like a dart, having all the weight poisitoned at the front allows for straighter flight)

2. Buoyancy Control: By positioning the weight around your neck, you achieve better buoyancy control. This helps in maintaining a horizontal position in the water, which is particularly important in pool disciplines like dynamic apnea.

3. Comfort and Balance: A neckweight provides better comfort and balance compared to weights worn around the waist or ankles. This allows for a more natural swimming position and reduces strain on your body during long dives. It is also used by some in spearfishing to help take excess weights off of your weight belt that may cause lower back discomfort.

Materials Needed

Before you start, gather the following materials:

- Lead shot, or lead pastels

- A standard sized bike tyre tube

- Super glue

- Scissors

- Sandpaper

- Velcro or a buckle for fastening

- Electrical tape

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preparing the Materials

• Measure the circumference of your neck and determine the desired weight for your neckweight. Common weights range from 1-2 kg, but this can vary based on personal preference and body size.

• Cut the bike tube to size of the measured length plus a few centimeters for fastening overlap.

• Cut a second section of tube a slightly shorter length, this will act as the second skin of the neckweight for extra protection and longevity

• measure out your lead shot in a container, it is recommended to do this over a larger container or cloth so any stray lead will not go far.

  2. Assembling the Neckweight

• start by threading the longer piece of tube through the inside of the other to double up the layers

• then fold and glue the end closed, you can use the sandpaper to rough up the surface so the glue gets a firmer hold. finish with electrical tape

• repeat the process on the outer skin to fully close one side of the weight tube.

• begin to fill your tube slowly, to fit more lead in you can pack it in with a dowel or blow up the tube to make it temporarily wider.

• Once filled repeat the process of closing the end of the weight with glue and tape. the finished product will be a closed tube with the main tube closed and sealed inside.

  3. Attaching the buckles

• take part of your remaining bike tube and cut an 8 inch length of tube.

• cute this piece lengthways to make two pieces.

• fold each piece length ways and glue in place so that you now have two thinner flat pieces of tube. use scissors to cut to suitable width for your buckle.

• thread a tube piece through your buckle and find a point with even amount of tube either side to attach.

• using superglue attach your ends to the main weight pouch and finish with tape.

Testing and Safety Tips

• Before using your new neckweight in a dive, test it in a controlled environment, like a swimming pool. Ensure it fits well and does not cause discomfort. also keep an eye our for any signs of escaping lead. this is a sign one of your seals or tube may have broken.

• Always dive with a buddy, especially when testing new equipment.

• Regularly inspect your neckweight for signs of wear and tear. Replace any damaged components to maintain safety. The benefit of this design is the buckle straps can be replaced without having to open your weight tube, just make new ones and cut the old ones off.
  

  Additional Resources

Feel free to share your experiences or ask questions in the comments below. We'd love to hear from you!