Newbie question about weighting/buoyancy

03bowtie · Jul 12, 2009

Im sure this has been asked before but I have done a search and can get a clear answer to my question.

I know there is no exact math to it, but is there a recomendation for new divers that determines how much weight is needed for body size, gear, etc.

I am 5'10, 200 lbs, decent muscle, using a 100cfm steel tank, no wet suit, diving the fl keys, no more than 50 feet deep.

I need to buy a new weight belt with the soft pouches but need an idea of how much weight needed before i go do a buoyancy check on my first dive. I have lost almost 40 lbs since last year and was borrowing a friends weight belt so that doesnt help me much. I dont remember how much weight i was using sorry.

Any help here is appreciated.

Diver0001 · Jul 12, 2009

Given your build, I'd say if you're not wearing a wetsuit then you won't need any weight at all with that tank.

R..

Supershark · Jul 12, 2009

Agree with Diver0001, although I would recommend you wear 1-2 kilos to account for tank at the end of the dive.

diver 85 · Jul 12, 2009

Diver0001:
Given your build, I'd say if you're not wearing a wetsuit then you won't need any weight at all with that tank.

R..

ditto---that's me in a nutshell.....

spectrum · Jul 12, 2009

Agreed you probably need no lead.

Pete

Hatul · Jul 12, 2009

03bowtie:
Im sure this has been asked before but I have done a search and can get a clear answer to my question.

I know there is no exact math to it, but is there a recomendation for new divers that determines how much weight is needed for body size, gear, etc.

I am 5'10, 200 lbs, decent muscle, using a 100cfm steel tank, no wet suit, diving the fl keys, no more than 50 feet deep.

I need to buy a new weight belt with the soft pouches but need an idea of how much weight needed before i go do a buoyancy check on my first dive. I have lost almost 40 lbs since last year and was borrowing a friends weight belt so that doesnt help me much. I dont remember how much weight i was using sorry.

Any help here is appreciated.

If I remember correctly the water in Florida Keys is mid 70's so I think you're going to get cold diving there with no wetsuit. I dove there in a 3/2 suit.

Adam

03bowtie · Jul 12, 2009

I have been diving the fl keys for about 10 years. The water in july august is usually around 80 degrees. I never wear a wetsuit, im just not comfortable in one. I dove last year with about 15 pounds and had some issues with buoyancy. I am 200 lbs without gear so probably 240 250 with the 100 tank. That thing is heavy.

Is there a general rule of thumb.

Why do u feel i dont need any weight?

redacted · Jul 12, 2009

The big variable is the buoyancy of your BC. I'm 5'11", 220 and with steel tank in SW with my UL BC (neutral) I take no additional weight. So, I'd say you will probably end up with no lead. Why not borrow a weight belt and put 2 X 2 pounders on it and then try removing the weights at the end of the dive and see if you can re-submerge.

Hatul · Jul 12, 2009

03bowtie:
I have been diving the fl keys for about 10 years. The water in july august is usually around 80 degrees. I never wear a wetsuit, im just not comfortable in one. I dove last year with about 15 pounds and had some issues with buoyancy. I am 200 lbs without gear so probably 240 250 with the 100 tank. That thing is heavy.

Is there a general rule of thumb.

Why do u feel i dont need any weight?

One way is to do a buoyancy check with a near empty tank, all air out of BC, and near the surface you should be neutrally buoyant.

Adam

03bowtie · Jul 12, 2009

So the reason i had to use so much weight before was because I was using a 80 aluminum.

Ill check it out in a week or so.

Newbie question about weighting/buoyancy

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