How much lead weights do you use?

[inquis]

If you have access to a pool, you can also check things after some adjustments. For example, with a full AL80 tank, you could decrease the lead for the test by 5 lbs (since you're carrying 5 lbs of air you wouldn't have at the end of the dive). If your "normal" diving is in salt water, you would also need to drop another 6 lbs of lead for the test (since it's in fresh water). A normal dive would quickly flood your suit as you descended, so pull open your collar to speed that up in the pool. Dial in the weight so your BC/wing is nearly empty. Then for your normal diving, add back in the adjustments you made for the pool test.

 

[boulderjohn]

The amount of lead is incredibly variable because of differences in kit and environment (even for the same person and exposure suit).

For example....

Here is a picture of me about to dive in Puget Sound in 2010. As you can see, I am a fairly big guy. That was my first time diving under those conditions, and I mistakenly wore my heaviest undergarment--I was sweating at the end of our dives. I estimated how much lead I would need, and when we did the weight checks, my estimate was woefully short. I joked that there might no be enough lead in Seattle to sink me.

I don't remember what I ended up with, but it was not as much as 28 pounds.

My real reason for the picture is the woman I dived with. As you can see, she is petite and very slender. You would not think she would need much lead at all, but I was shocked by how much she used. (I don't remember.) She was no beginner. She went by TS&M on ScubaBoard, and SB veterans will attest to the fact that she was a highly respected diver, fully cave certified. I also dived with her in tropical locations, and the same was true there as well--she needed far more lead than anyone would guess. She absolutely needed it.

So each of us is different, and we need to weight according to our own needs. If I were to work with you on your weighting, I would start with about half of what you say you use now and start playing with it as others have described.

 

[Richard Dayan]

I use Al 80 and jacket bc, plus salt water, combined with new uncompressed wetsuit. It makes more sense why it's so high. Thank you, for sharing your information. I tried to have as little as possible, but I guess it's very variable, and I am caring around 30 lbs too much body fat for my height, which is affecting my buoyancy as well.

 

[Jimchris]

For example....

Here is a picture of me about to dive in Puget Sound in 2010. As you can see, I am a fairly big guy. That was my first time diving under those conditions, and I mistakenly wore my heaviest undergarment--I was sweating at the end of our dives. I estimated how much lead I would need, and when we did the weight checks, my estimate was woefully short. I joked that there might no be enough lead in Seattle to sink me.

I don't remember what I ended up with, but it was not as much as 28 pounds.
View attachment 760978
My real reason for the picture is the woman I dived with. As you can see, she is petite and very slender. You would not think she would need much lead at all, but I was shocked by how much she used. (I don't remember.) She was no beginner. She went by TS&M on ScubaBoard, and SB veterans will attest to the fact that she was a highly respected diver, fully cave certified. I also dived with her in tropical locations, and the same was true there as well--she needed far more lead than anyone would guess. She absolutely needed it.

So each of us is different, and we need to weight according to our own needs. If I were to work with you on your weighting, I would start with about half of what you say you use now and start playing with it as others have described.

Good ol' Lynn.

With pst hp80s and winter undergarments I need 10lbs lead (plus 5lb plate, 5lb STA), also tend to have a heavy battery canister on my hip. 5'8" 175#, also a Puget sound, Salish sea diver.

 

[formernuke]

She went by TS&M on ScubaBoard, and SB veterans will attest to the fact that she was a highly respected diver, fully cave certified

Very much missed. Remembered what it was like to be new and always helpful to new divers.

 

[Blackcrusader]

6ft 1 weigh 300 pounds no wetsuit use 18 pounds

 

[Robert H. Diver]

I’m 6’2” 195lbs. I’ve used anywhere from 0lbs to 18lbs depending on exposure protection, BCD, and cylinder type.

 

[drakcheslav]

185cm,
100kg,
6kg for 2x12l steel, drysuit with 450g undersuit and 7mm hood for fresh water or summer salt water.
4kg for summer variants for fresh water 150g fleece.

 

[Skunky]

175, 6’0 3/4 wetsuit or 3/4 semidry, hawaii, steel 80. 0 (zero) pounds

 

[Here There be Lobsters]

5’ 7.5” 135 lbs and Al 80, 12 lbs fresh with 7/6/5 mm, 6 lbs fresh with 3 mm, and 10 lbs salt with 3 mm.