How much weight do I need in the ocean?

[crunch35]

I have been diving for two years and should know this by now but i have never payed attention. I am going to puerto rico and am tying to save 7 dollars a day on lead and belt (i know im cheap) and i was wondering if any of you beach goers could help out a guy from a square state ( missouri) with your nautical knowlege. how much weight do i need? heres my stats 5' 8", 165lbs, shorty 1 mil suit, take a guess please.. and i will pay attention this time thanks..

 

[24940]

You need exactly enough to stay @15' with <500PSI in your tank. Somewhere between 0 and 12 lbs, depending on your gear and your overall buoyancy.

 

[deepstops]

Do you know your weighting in fresh water??

If so, then it's easy: add 2.5% of you and your gear's weight to the belt.

For example: you wear 5 lbs. in fresh. You AND your gear weight a combined 250 lbs., add 6.25 lbs to the belt or 11.25 lbs (round up to 12 to be safe)

The math is 5lbs originally there plus (250 X .025 = 6.25) = 11.25 lbs. total weight now needed.

So charter prices in PR don't include tanks and weights??

 

[losttravelerfl]

Well, it's hard to be more helpful than "somewhere between 0 and 12lbs" but I'll give it a shot as I'm actually really close to the same size as you, 10lbs in just a skin was too light. 14lbs with a 3m shorty was fine, so I'd say around 12 to 14 is a pretty good guess.

 

[scubaguy655]

I am 5'8" 190lbs and dive with 12 lbs in a full 3 mil....between 8-10 in a shorty.

 

[del_mo]

You can always do a buoyancy check when you get there. Empty BCD, full tank, hold normal full breath and float at eye level. Then add 6 lbs. to compensate for a near empty tank. 12# sounds like a lot, but being heavy is better than being light.

 

[dive4food]

I would think that if you start at 10 lbs. you should be good if not a bit heavy. My personal preference is to be slightly over weighted.

If you think that is too much weight, you could always order Arris' each night for 2 weeks before you go! I miss Arris'

 

[waynel]

Never been diving in Puerto Rico. Are you saying they actually charge you for weights? It's not included in the trip fee? That would be first for me. If it's the belt you have to pay for, buy one for $10 here and do a buoyancy check starting with 10lbs.

Also, be aware that not all oceans are created equal when it comes to salinity. I always have to add a couple of pounds when going from Key Largo to Cozumel with the same suit, etc.

If you can at all avoid buying and carrying weights on the plane in your dive bag, I recommend doing so. Again, check and be sure it's not just the belt you have to rent. Unless P.R. is totally unlike other island diving, weights and tanks are usually included in the dive.