WreckWriter, the 16-17lbs was for a full 7mm + hood + gloves + boots for the girls; 12-14lbs didn't allow them to descend at all. Ditto my 25lbs {but this is in a cool fresh-water quarry, not warm saltwater}.
There's no place locally to rent a 3mm suit for kids my size; I'd have to buy them, and for 4 dives I'm not sure $150-$200 is reasonable when we can rent the 7mm jacket for much much less, and they can open the zipper if they feel too warm.
I was figuring that we'd all start with half the weight we used in full 7mm gear and add/subtract from there. We'll try FredT's suggestion in the local pool with gallon water jugs; that seems simple and straight-forward enough.
Please realize that we are novice divers and "need" more weight now than we'll need once we're more at ease in the water; we know that.
There's no place locally to rent a 3mm suit for kids my size; I'd have to buy them, and for 4 dives I'm not sure $150-$200 is reasonable when we can rent the 7mm jacket for much much less, and they can open the zipper if they feel too warm.
I was figuring that we'd all start with half the weight we used in full 7mm gear and add/subtract from there. We'll try FredT's suggestion in the local pool with gallon water jugs; that seems simple and straight-forward enough.
Please realize that we are novice divers and "need" more weight now than we'll need once we're more at ease in the water; we know that.