Another WeightingQuestion!!!

[hogen-deifar]

Right, so I've figured out what weight to have in a pool with just a costume and kit on - the answer was NONE!!!

I've now gone and bought a wetsuit for my holiday in September, and initially I'll use it in the pool and once the warmer weather comes in I'll practice in OW, starting with Wraysbury then even the sea IF the weather's good enough.

Drysuit, in the sea I have about 10kg of weight.

I've now bought an Oceanic 5mm long semi-dry.

Clues as to where to start on weight allowance???

Any hints would be appreciated - cos I seriously do not have a clue having only ever dived dry!

[Eeyore]

Originally Posted by hogen-deifar

Right, so I've figured out what weight to have in a pool with just a costume and kit on - the answer was NONE!!!

I've now gone and bought a wetsuit for my holiday in September, and initially I'll use it in the pool and once the warmer weather comes in I'll practice in OW, starting with Wraysbury then even the sea IF the weather's good enough.

Drysuit, in the sea I have about 10kg of weight.

I've now bought an Oceanic 5mm long semi-dry.

Clues as to where to start on weight allowance???

Any hints would be appreciated - cos I seriously do not have a clue having only ever dived dry!

Julie, I dont think there is a calculation which can tell you the weight needed
I would initially start with about 3Kgs on a belt & just do the normal weight check when you hit the pool or the sea (although I would expect a couple of extra Kg's in the sea) just give a few extra Kg's to you buddy to hold & pass over if you need them

hope it helps?!?

[sailorbuoy]

In the red sea, with just t-shirt and shorts, I use 3kg... in a 5mm 8kg...

So I reckon starting with 5kg in salt water is probably a good start - maybe go for 6 to start off with on a weight check?

Might be able to get away with a teeny bit less in UK, and perhaps 3 or 4 in fresh.

[Buoyant Babe]

Originally Posted by Eeyore

Julie, I dont think there is a calculation which can tell you the weight needed
I would initially start with about 3Kgs on a belt & just do the normal weight check when you hit the pool or the sea (although I would expect a couple of extra Kg's in the sea) just give a few extra Kg's to you buddy to hold & pass over if you need them

hope it helps?!?

Wot he said. We're all different so checking for yourself is best. It also depends also on the salinity of the water. I have varied between 2-4k in a 5mm wetsuit depending on which country I am diving. Unless that's just the fluctuations in the amount of pies I have eaten

I'd do a check in the pool and add a couple for salt water. If in doubt on holiday, go heavier at the start and take off the belt as required. I'd rather be overweighted at the start on my first dive than find myself struggling to keep down once my cylinder drains.

Also, on your very first dive of your holiday your suit may be more buoyant, so if in doubt on the first dive you might want to add a kilo for that.

HTH

Helen

[hogen-deifar]

Originally Posted by Buoyant Babe

Wot he said. We're all different so checking for yourself is best. it also depends also on the salinity of the water. I have varied between 2-4k in a 5mm wetsuit depending on which country I am diving. Unless that's just the fluctuations in the amount of pies I have eaten

I'd do a check in the pool and add a couple for salt water. If in doubt on holiday, go heavier at the start and take off the belt as required. I'd rather be overweighted at the start on my first dive than find myself struggling to keep down once my cylinder drains.

Also, on your very first dive of your holiday your suit may be more buoyant, so add a kilo for that.

HTH

Helen

Cheers both of you!

I realised it would vary for each individual. It was more a case of asking for a starting weight, to dive me a clue. Rich said he has 8kg in a 5mil, and Eeyore said start on 3. I'm a fairly buoyant person naturally, always was as a scrawny kid, so I'll start with about 5-6 and then do check.

At least I know a good place to start!!!!

Why would my suit be possibly more buoyant on the first dive of the holiday? I'm so "green" on all of this. Sorry!

[Buoyant Babe]

Originally Posted by hogen-deifar

Why would my suit be possibly more buoyant on the first dive of the holiday? I'm so "green" on all of this. Sorry!

Because it will be bone dry and will be more difficult to sink on the very first dive. Also, if it's a new suit, the neo won't have been compressed at depth like it will once you start diving it, so the air bubbles in the material will be extra spongy - if that makes sense

I've never added a kilo on the first dive, but I expect it to take longer to sink. Mr Helen had difficulty sinking on the first dive of a holiday in Mexico. He was plenty weighted, but he panicked because he couldn't sink so he jacked the dive.

[Prometheus]

Where are you going Hoges, might be worth learning a few phrases.
"Hola, quiero mas plomo por favor." that should do you for Spanish speakers I think.

[Buoyant Babe]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

Where are you going Hoges, might be worth learning a few phrases.
"Hola, quiero mas plomo por favor." that should do you for Spanish speakers I think.

I think she's going to visit the Gozo representative of the Blonde Mafia

[Prometheus]

Originally Posted by Buoyant Babe

I think she's going to visit the Gozo representative of the Blonde Mafia

Aaah, I think that there may be another visit in May from Malta to the island stronghold of SS BM. We will be the moustache and beard representatives, apart from Chas49 and Spacehoppers t'other half who will have to have stick on 'taches to maintain the hirsuteness.

[hogen-deifar]

Originally Posted by Buoyant Babe

Because it will be bone dry and will be more difficult to sink on the very first dive. Also, if it's a new suit, the neo won't have been compressed at depth like it will once you start diving it, so the air bubbles in the material will be extra spongy - if that makes sense

I've never added a kilo on the first dive, but I expect it to take longer to sink. Mr Helen had difficulty sinking on the first dive of a holiday in Mexico. He was plenty weighted, but he panicked because he couldn't sink so he jacked the dive.

Cheers! Pretty logical, now you've explained it! I'm at work today so brain's not in gear. Ruined my free Saturday night because I'm knackered! Been moving offices and clearing dead files! All I want to do is go home, have a bath, curry and then bed! What a waste of a Saturday, eh???

I am going to try and dive it at the coast here in the summer, but only down to about 18M. Will try and get it used a bit!

Originally Posted by Prometheus

Where are you going Hoges, might be worth learning a few phrases.
"Hola, quiero mas plomo por favor." that should do you for Spanish speakers I think.

Originally Posted by Buoyant Babe

I think she's going to visit the Gozo representative of the Blonde Mafia

Chris, what BB said!!! Going to visit Sue. Hopefully going to finally get round to doing my AOW after 3 years of diving!?!? Can't wait!!!!