OP
alex_can_dive
Contributor
Another point: your feelings/sensations at depth are obviously important, but a proper weighting should prioritize two other aspects:
1 - your ability to surface in case of catastrophic failures of buoyancy devices, especially if you do not have redundancy (dry-suit or double-bladder bcd); usually, if you have ditchable weights, this isn't a major issue, but you need to consider it;
2 - your ability to hold a stop at 3m with your tanks almost empty.
Did you do these tests?
1. Are you saying I should be able to swim up after I ditch the weights without the BCD inflating? (ie., I have to be able to carry the ~10lbs tank)
2. Admittedly, never done this. I grab the boat line for SS because if I don't kick my fins, I'd sink and if I kick, I'd go up ... (Please don't get mad - I know I'm a noob ... still learning the hovering thing)