Just a simple survey...

[MrMrEZG]

I dive with 6-8lbs of lead. when I did my OW course i was told that I needed about 10% of my weight in lead. I know now that, that is wronge, because i don't need that much. My question is how much weight do you guys use? i am 5'10" 230lbs and in a full 5mm wet suit i use 8lbs. ( where did the abbr. for pounds come from there is no l or b in that word?)

 

[JoelW]

I am 6', 220# and in a 6.5mm 2-piece I use 24# and with my neoprene drysuit I use 32#. The only time I have worn a 3mm shorty is in a pool and then I needed 6#.

JoelW

 

[gozumutti]

I do believe that the "l) in lbs comes from the French word "livre" (pound. The "b", well, "b"eats me ....could be "britannique" , making the whole a French expression for British Pounds, but this is all just a guess.....does anyone out there know for sure?

gozu

 

[large_diver]

6'5" and 260 lbs

I use about 35lbs in salt water -- I dive in a XXXL 7mm farmer john/jacket wetsuit

 

[Swamp Rat]

I'm 5'-11" 180lbs. Have a mega heavy steel tank. with a 3mm shorty in fresh water zero pounds. With full 5mm suit same tank salt water 8pounds.

 

[turnerjd]

5' 11, 160Lbs, neoprene drysuit

Steel 12 300Bar - 28Lbs
Twin steel 10's - 22 Lbs

Single steel 10 + 3mm full suit no weight necessary, use 4 Lbs when DMing

Jon T

 

[DennisW]

When I wear my full 3 mil wet suit (Farmer John & Shorty) I use 11 lbs. When I wear either the Farmer John or Shorty by themselves, 9 lbs. When I don't use a wet suit, 6 lbs. Sometimes I just leave the 9 lbs on my belt and dive that way without the wet suit. Depends on how lazy I am at the moment.

 

[DiverDave]

6'3" 180lb but don't tell my wife...

Steel 12l Neoprene Dry Suit 32lb

Ally 12l 3mm Shortie 10lb

Usually add 4lb if teaching.

 

[detroit diver]

Why do you add the additional weight when teaching?

 

[turnerjd]

being slightly negative helps when catching errant buoyant students!

Deep breath OUT, and 4 Lbs extra is usually enough to controll the most wild student. I find it also helps with skills like SCUBA unit removal and replacement U/W - 4Lbs heavy, and you stick to the pool bottom nicely, everything looks slick!

Jon T