How much weight do YOU use?

[Wijbrandus]

These numbers are strictly for warm salt water:

I wear a 3mm fullsuit, a stainless steel backplate (6#), and use single AL80s.

I wear an additional 10# or 12#, depending on the day.

I am a big guy, 6'2" & 280 lbs.

I have not had enough opportunity to tune my weight for cold fresh water. Last time in I used 20#, but I suspect that's a bit much yet.

 

[padiscubapro]

He is not telling you to hold your breath or to use lung volume to ascend to the surface. In the days before BCs we were taught specifically how to use breathing to help with bouyancy trim. This does not require one to take a full breath to ascend or anything like that. This technique was long ago forgotten but those who use it can and do dive with NO BC within certain limits and constraints beyond the scope of this thread. The bouyancy change I get from using my lungs is certainly significant to me when diving with only two lbs. or less with a lycra skin and plastic plate. If I put 50 lbs lift jacket BC with 12 D rings on and then attached 38 lbs of lead and a SS BP to myself then I don't think I would hardly notice--in my configuration which is minimalist it is significant. N

Thank You..

I agree the skill is lost.. Not many people actually know how to correctly do their buoyancy.. Even though I when I was trained BCs were common I still knew how to figure out my buoyancy so that I didn;t need any additional lift to get me positive..

The only way to Really know who much your buoyancy changes is to get neutral, start with a reasonable amount of extra weigh (you have to keep it mid body) and take a deep breath, if you don't move, lose some weight.. eventually you will find out exactly what your difference is.. when this excercise is being done as soon as you feel yourself comming off the bottom just exhale...

another thing thats lost even if you dont have any exposure protection, your body does compress to some extent so you as soon as you rise a bit you get even more buoyant (of course nothing like a wetsuit)

 

[sfsusa]

Water: 55-65F
BCD: Dive Rite TransPac II
Wetsuit: Henderson 3 mm Goldcore John/Jacket + 3/5 Hyperstretch Hooded Vest + gloves
Weight: 12 lbs. w/Faber LP85, 16 lbs. w/AL80