Fresh vs Salt, Weight Differences?

[aprils0909]

We all know about the difference between freshwater and salt. Can you give me an example of the weight differences between the two? I know comfort, currents, and a few other factors also play. But estimated, how much weight do you carry in fresh and how much in salt?

I have only done fresh and am going to do salt this weekend. It'll be with family, so I'll be buying/bringing my own.

 

[Divingguy]

I used 6 pounds in fresh water with a 3 mil, but needed 16 pounds in salt water with a 5/4, and even then fielt "light" as the tank got down toward 500 psi. There have been other threads on this in the last 30 to 45 days. You might run a search on "weight" or "salt water". Hope that helps.

 

[H20Bubbles]

I used 8 in fresh, and 18 in salt. with a 5/3.

 

[Walter]

Take all your equipment (including tanks and lead), put it on (dry) and get on a scale.

Make note of the weight. Multiply that number by .024. That's the amount of lead you'll need to add for salt water (assuming you are correctly weighted for fresh water).

For example, let's assume you weigh 100 lbs. Let's further assume all your gear weighs 50 lbs. Let's assume 6 of those 50 lbs is lead.

100 lbs + 50 lbs = 150 lbs (total weight) 150 lbs * .024 = 3.6 lbs. Call it 4 lbs. Add 4 lbs to the 6 lbs you use in fresh water, you'd need 10 lbs in salt.

 

[Rick Murchison]

If you are wearing the same gear, you will displace the same volume in fresh or salt water. Since salt water (on average) weighs about 2.5% more than fresh, you'll need to carry about 2.5 pounds more in salt water than you do in fresh water for each 100 pounds that you and all your gear weigh.
So, if you and your tank and your suit and your camera and your other gear totals 240 pounds, for example, you'll need to carry about six pounds more in salt water than you need in fresh water.
Rick

 

[aprils0909]

Thanks all

 

[Dectek]

Watch the scale limits before trying to weigh everything in one shot. You don't want to max out and kill your scale.

Either weigh your gear and yourself seperately or you can just go down to the marina were the boat is moored and get a really funny photo of you hoisted up by the feet on the Sport fish (look what I caught on vacation) Scale.

 

[1_T_Submariner]

Thanks for posting this and thanks for all the Replies... I was going to ask the very same question.
Getting ready for Key Largo in 2 weeks...

Later all

 

[spectrum]

If you do not dive an AL-80 at home remember that probably will on vacation. That will also need to be acounted for. Compare the EMPTY BUOYANCY specs.

Pete