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#96
 Weight question
medicdiver04 - 7/07/2012 2:35 PM
Category: New Diver Q&A
Replies: 12
Went diving today out in Lake Michigan as it was a perfect day to do it. Had some new gear I wanted to try out so I went out with a buddy, and neither of us could get down... I weigh 180 and had 20lbs on my weight belt, and all I did was float. I made sure i deflated, exhaled more than I inhaled, and I just stayed at the top. Did I configure my weights wrong or what?
#51878
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Greg - 7/07/2012 2:43 PM
What type of wet suit were you wearing?
#96
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medicdiver04 - 7/07/2012 2:45 PM
I was wearing a 7ml wetsuit.
#6226
OUBobcat - 7/07/2012 3:13 PM
was it a 7 mm full or FJ?
#96
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medicdiver04 - 7/07/2012 4:40 PM
It was a full 7
#6129
Divetromboneplayer - 7/07/2012 7:22 PM
I have a 7 mil farmer john for the cold and weigh 180 and I use 30 lbs. of weight.
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Greg - 7/08/2012 7:01 AM
A 7 mil full was most likely the reason you needed more weight. Also depends on the type and size tank. Steel tanks are more negatively buoyant when full than Aluminum tanks. And did you eat Mexican food that day :). A nice "off gas" from the rear exhaust port could have helped.
#208
Keith_M - 7/08/2012 7:28 AM
I think once you are in that 7mm you need to think about at least taking with you, 10% of your body weight plus 10. So around 28 on hand. Then if you are over weighted, you can take some off.
#1639
SeaGoat - 7/08/2012 10:45 AM
What kind of "new gear" did you have? If you have a new BC, you may have to try some different techniques to get the bladder all the way empty - esp if your going from jacket style to back-inflate or vice versa. Get your buddy to pat you down and make sure you are getting all the air out.

See also Greg’s latest survey topic.
#6226
OUBobcat - 7/08/2012 11:38 AM
25 lbs or so might not be out the question right now as you just got certified. Once you gain control of your breathing and buoyancy your weight should drop too. I prefer to put the majority of my weight on my hips and put a 2 lb weight on on the cam strap pockets. Another thing I found out too that it was tough getting below the surface initially but once I got down at depth the water pressure actually helped me stay down. I know when I first got certified I was wearing 21 or 22 lbs in a 5mm. After about 3 or 4 months of regular diving I was able to get it down to about 14 or 15 lbs.
#2638
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John_giu - 6/19/2014 6:40 AM
I’m about 180 5’6" athletic build.
24lb @ 7 mill one piece.
People differ in natural buoyancy.
Plus the type of tank and it’s buoyancy.

Check your training manual.
with no air in your BC ready to dive you should float at eye l level, then add 5 lbs.
as mentioned, with experience you will do better with less weight. for now go heavier if needed.
Cold water diving with 7 mil neoprene is a world apart from tropical diving.
The good new is, when you vacation dive it will be a lot easier.

BTW if you are using 80 aluminum tanks they get light real fast @ 1000 PSI, like having a cork on your back. Watch your supply, consider venting the BC slight as you near 1000 psi this will help with buoyancy control.

Also stop adding and removing gear until you gain control.
#51878
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Greg - 6/23/2014 8:12 AM
Also, check out the scuba calculator I created to estimate your dive weight: divebuddy.com/calculator/weight.aspx