Determining Weight

[Scubakevdm]

Could you tell me how to determine how much weight is needed to cause a person to sink? Is it a mathmatical equation that is used or does it just depend on the person? Thanks for your help!

When viewed alongside the other thread you just posted, Creepy your question becomes exponentially creepier. Ahem.... Wendy...? Murphdiver...? Anyone...?

 

[mccabejc]

Okay, here's the results of my tests:

I'm of average stature (though way above average in every other aspect...). I weigh about 170, 5'10".

With only a bathing suit, and my lungs empty, I sank like a rock. With lungs full, I floated. With lungs full and holding 6lbs I was about neutral; 8 lbs I sank. With lungs half full I was about neutral.

So I'm thinking that answer to "how much does it take to make a person sink" may be in the range of around 6-8 lbs with lungs full (as donacheson mentioned), and with lungs half full it might take only a couple (as NetDoc mentioned), for an average person.

"Gee, Mr. Science, that's swell !!"

 

[mccabejc]

EWWW MY GOD !!! That is so, like, totally creepy !!! I'm like, NO WAY !!!

Geesh, I wonder if they could get me as an accessory...

 

[Kriterian]

...fat people wear far more neoprene for warmth and that is very, very bouyant.

Isn't that backwards? Shouldn't heavier people have more natural insulation and thus need less neoprene?

I noticed in my OW class that all the small, petit women with no body fat were freezing in the 85 degree heated pool. They ended up wearing 3 or 5 mil wetsuits.

Myself and the other "husky" guys were just fine in our trunks.

 

[The Chairman]

Kriterian,

you are talking thickness, while I am talking square footage. Given the same thickness a larger diver will require FAR more neoprene. Thats what they have to wear weights for. To compensate for the neoprene.