Feeling embarassed about ballast / weight

[ican]

I currently use about 24lbs on each dive, but that's based on my instructor's recommendation, and wearing a 7mm wetsuit and BCD. I know I can get down with less weight, but it's better to be slightly over than slightly underweighted, no? I'm sure as I gain experience and change up my kit (and stop renting "holy" gear) I will be able to drop at least 6lbs, maybe more. I'm 6'2" and 235lbs, and in generally average shape... I think the more I work out between dives, the less weight I will need due to gaining muscle mass and losing fat.

 

[gopbroek]

Just my $0.02 but each rig and wetsuit (if any) configuration is different. To myself the key is do you still need air in your BC at the tailend of the dive, with a near empty tank? If so you are probably over weighted and may need to slowly shed extra weight untill you are just slightly negitive with a near empty tank and no air in your BC.

As for desent, see post #26.

 

[Freewillow]

The most important thing is that you are at depth, more or less horizontal with a minimum of air in your BCD. See picture below. If you are not horizontal, then you either have too much weight or it is badly distributed on your equipement.