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Being properly weighted is one of the essentials in freediving and has a huge effect on our dives, as we want to make our dive as pleasant and as efficient as possible. Buoyancy is affected by lots of factors. Body composition, the volume of air in our lungs, water density, depth, and equipment. It is always a bit of work to set it up properly in the way which works the best for us. We need to do it every time we change something and in most cases when we change the suit. We don't want to use too many weights because the suit gets compressed by the pressure at greater depth, we just get too heavy and this makes our ascent too difficult. On the other hand, we don't want to be too light because it could be disturbing in the first few meters when we have to overcome positive buoyancy. It could affect our relaxation and we might build up some tension which can result in some problems, such as mistakes in equalization.
But that's not all. We also want to place the weights in the most efficient position on our bodies. And here we have 2 options, weight belt with weights or neck weight. It is very obvious that using the neck weight is better and has some benefits. The weight is under our lungs on the descent, it's pulling us down and making all the dive down easier, especially during the freefall. Having too many kilos on the belt is not very comfortable. It can cause the belt to move which is very disturbing and of course, the weights are creating a drag.
I've always played with homemade neck weights made from tires but I never really got to the point when I was able to say it was comfortable. When I made it too tight it was not comfortable around my throat, especially when I charged mouthfill. And when it was too lose it just moved and pushed on my chin and the moving itself was very disturbing. Of course, there are lots of freedivers who don't have these problems but I'm personally just too sensitive for that and it gets very annoying for me. I also bought the neck weight specially made for deep diving, it was better, but still, it was a bit moving and it pressed a bit my collarbones on the surface.
And then I tried Alchemy neck weight and it just changed it all. I was able to test it before it was officially released in AIDA WCH in Limassol where I took part as a safety diver. I remember that for the first few days I kept touching it and checking if it was still there because I just didn't feel it. It didn't move, it didn't press, and it didn't cause any uncomfortable feelings. It was just there and doing its job.
The first one I chose was 45 cm long and 1,4 kg heavy. I chose a little bit longer one than the circumference of my neck because I was just afraid I could lose it, that it could just fall down. It was great and I thought it was the perfect one. But a few weeks later when I was sure it really stays there I tried the shorter version (40cm in length). And that is the neck weight I've been using since then every time I freedive. It is not really all around my neck, there is a space in between tips and I don't have any weight right on my throat. It doesn't move at all and the silicon feels like sticking to the smooth skin wetsuit. And I really don't notice it at all. With my 3mm wetsuit and this 1,23 kg heavy neck weight I can use just 2 little 0,5 kg weights on my belt making me neutrally buoyant at 17 meters which is a depth I like. In warmer waters and in combination with a 1,5 mm thick suit I don't need to use the belt at all.
I can adjust the neck weight and bend it in the shape I want. It is very flexible and I can really play with that. What I do is that I bend the tips a little bit more inwards, then place it around my neck and just squeeze it as much as I want. I can float on the surface face up without feeling any pressure on the throat and I really don't have to worry if it stays there. I know it stays and I won't lose it. I usually don't feel any movements during duck diving and if so, it is just very little. It just gets placed in the right position by itself. Then, during the mouthfill charging, I don't get annoyed by it at all. I can take a big one and the neck weight just stays in position and does not press any parts of my neck. I can dive down and just focus on the presence and tasks I have to do.
I'm usually diving with bifins or with monofin, which are my favorite disciplines. I'm quite a lot flexible in my shoulders so I'm diving in an arrow position with arms above my head. I'm even freefalling to about 50 meters like that, and of course, going all the way up this way. It doesn't limit me at all. The neck weight is tiny and well-shaped. I always use it for my training and even when I teach. I was a bit worried for the first time when students demonstrated the rescue and I remember I removed it at depth and just held it in my hand. Then I forgot to do it one day and realized it after the rescue, but the neck weight was there, and again, it just didn't move.
Honestly, for me, this neck weight was the biggest surprise and the most amazing piece of equipment I tried lately. I really really like it. I can take it with me anywhere and it doesn't matter if I go snorkeling, teaching freediving or training. With the wetsuit, fins, nose clip, and lanyard, this neck weight is a part of my essential equipment and I do not want to freedive without it anymore. It becomes a part of my body under the water.