Diving weights. Salt water versus fresh

[Denny Nelson]

I dove in Paamul, Mexico in December. Used 3mm full wet, no hood or gloves. Used their tank and weights. Ended up using 18 lbs. Is there a rule of thumb for the weight used for fresh versus salt water. Would the same rule apply to 2mm shorty and 7/5mm.

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

I dove in Paamul, Mexico in December. Used 3mm full wet, no hood or gloves. Used their tank and weights. Ended up using 18 lbs. Is there a rule of thumb for the weight used for fresh versus salt water. Would the same rule apply to 2mm shorty and 7/5mm.

 

[vondo]

Not a rule of thumb, a real rule assuming you are diving in the ocean (not the Dead Sea).

Take the total weight of you and all your gear and weight. Divide by 40. You need that much more weight in salt water or that much less in fresh.

As for the wetsuits, search is your friend.

 

[clem]

you might find, as I did, that the extra weight required in salt water due to its' increased bouyancy over fresh water, is used to cover the increased bouyancy of extra neoprene. In other words, I use the same weight with 7mm full, hood and gloves and heavier boots,in fresh water, that I do with a 3/2 full only in salt.