integral weight for bcd

Question
hello a new to scuba diving just passed my padi open waterlast week.
I am 80kg 5ft8 tall what sort of weight do you think i should use in my bcd thanks fo the help.

Answer
Hello Mark.  Congratulations on achieving your open water certification.  I'm always surprised that PADI students ask this question as there instructor is supposed to help you determine the correct weight.  Chapter 2 of your Open Water book will have a reference to a foolproof technique for determining proper weighting.  The following is a guideline for determining the initial weight as well.  Best of luck!  Please forgive the non-metric weights here.

Be sure to readjust anytime any of these variables change for you.  I suggest to students that they keep a chart in their logbook with the various equipment and water types and how much weight was required.

Proper Weighting Guidelines
a. Exposure Suit Type Weight
1) Swimsuit or skin 1 - 4 lbs
2) 3mm one piece or shorty 5% body weight
3) 5mm one or two piece 10% body weight
4) Add hood and boots 2 lbs
5) 7 mm two piece 10% + 4 - 5 lbs
6) Dry suit with light underwear 10% + 3 - 5 lbs
7) Dry Suit with heavy uw 10% + 7 - 14 lbs

b. Fresh or Salt Water
Body Weight Add from fresh to salt
1) 100 - 125 lbs 4 lbs
2) 126 - 155 lbs 5 lbs
3) 156 - 186 lbs 6 lbs
4) 187 - 217 lbs 7 lbs

c. Tank Types
Add or subtract weight according to empty buoyancy
Type Full Buoyancy Empty
1) AL80 -1.4 lbs +4.4
2) AL100 -4.35 +3.0
3) St HP80 -8.5 -2.5
4) St HP100 -8.5 -1.0
5) St HP120 -9.5 0