weights

Question
I am going to Cancun, Mexico and will be diving there but am not sure how much weight to use. I am 6' 2" and weigh 242 lbs. I will also be wearing a metelite 1/4 in. wet suit. I would rather sink then float. Thank you for your time and trouble.

Answer
Hello Dan, I am happy to help.

Proper weighting is dependent on your body composition, the thickness of your wet suit, the weight of other gear (especially the tank), and fresh vs. salt water.

You should perform a 'weight check' prior to your first dive to determine if you are properly weighted.  To do this:  on the surface, without moving your arms and feet, take a breath of air and hold it with your reg in your mouth.  Let all the air out of your BC.  You should float just at eye level.  Then blow out the air you were holding in your lungs and that should be just enough to sink.  If you immediately sink when you deflate your BC you have too much weight on.  If you don't sink after blowing out your breath, you don't have enough weight.  Being over weighted is not a good thing and should be avoided.

Over time, as you dive more and achieve better buoyancy control you should find that you need less weight.  Best of luck to you sir, dive safely.

Example:  200 lb diver in a 5mm suit, with hood and gloves, in salt, with an aluminum 80 tank would need:  200x.10   2   7   4.4 is about 33 to 34 pounds.

      Exposure Suit Type Weight
1) Swimsuit or skin 1 ?4 lbs
2) 3mm one piece or shorty 5ody weight
3) 5mm one or two piece 10ody 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 underwear 10   7 ?14 lbs

      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

      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