How much weight?

[Martyn Ward]

Me and SWMBI are pondering having a trip up to Vobster later on this week. As we haven't dived in fresh water since we did our open water training 8 years ago, we've no idea how much weight we'll need compared to salt water :confused:

Is there a calculation we can do to work out how much to take off, ie: percentage wise, or are we better off just getting in and sorting it out on the day?

Much thanks.

Martyn.

[Nigel Hewitt]

As we haven't dived in fresh water since we did our open water training 8 years ago, we've no idea how much weight we'll need compared to salt waterWell as seawater is 2.7% more dense than fresh water and your volume won't change you want to loose 2.7% of your total weight including tanks, lead, body and gear.

However, rather than kitting up, standing on the bathroom scales and using the calculator it always works out as near enough 3Kgs or 6lbs.

[Andy Wade]

Well as seawater is 2.7% more dense than fresh water and your volume won't change you want to loose 2.7% of your total weight including tanks, lead, body and gear.

However, rather than kitting up, standing on the bathroom scales and using the calculator it always works out as near enough 3Kgs or 6lbs.

Yeah, mostly I just take off one 2kg/4lb curved weight from the belt. I can cope with any slight variation in buoyancy that might still be present.
The only problem is having to wash the spare weight separately in fresh water. :D