One of the first lessons to scuba-dive or diving would (must!) be buoyancy. To achieve this, diving weight is the key. The main purpose of the diving weights is to counteract the upthrust or buoyancy. It includes the diver’s other equipment such as diving suits or the gas cylinders. The diver will need to be accurately weighted, when most of the breathing gas coming from the cylinder is already used up, by releasing or adjusting the volume of the air in BCD (Buoyancy Compensation Device).
Table of Contents
What are diving weights used for?
The main purpose of the diving weights is to counteract the buoyancy weight of the diver. It has 2 functions: trimming & ballasting.
Trim
Trim weights are added to your diving equipment or body to achieve proper positioning underwater. Divers should be horizontally in position where knees are slightly bent so that fins will avoid kicking, touching or making contact with marine life.
Ballast
As the word itself, the diving weights designed to prevent the diver from floating when he or she wants to stay underwater. For free divers, usually they use a quick release buckle type of weights to easily release the weights and will keep them afloat even if unconscious for better chance of rescue.
What are the types of diving weights used for?
There are types of diving weights that can be easily released and other types are attached securely.
Ditchable Weights
Free divers or scuba divers carry this so that they can be easily released or detached while underwater. This is to ensure that they can resurface or remain in positive buoyant at the surface. As mentioned, it is mostly used when an emergency comes which is trained on an entry level lesson in scuba or free diving.
Weight Belts
In recreational diving, this is commonly used and is made with tough nylon webbing and rubber. Usually the rubber contracts on descent as the diving suit and lungs are compressed, keeping the belt tight throughout the dive. It has a quick release buckle to allow divers for fast dumping in an emergency. Varieties of weight belts can be used such as pocket belts, lead shot belts and lead block belts.
Ankle Weights
This is used to achieve a more relaxing and enjoyable diving experience. The ankle weights help minimize the stress diving from having their legs afloat upwards, which can be hard on controlling the buoyancy of your body.
Brace Systems
This type of diving weights is used with or without backplate harness belt with special quick release weights attached for better distribution of wider weight area. This is also recommended with divers with back issues as it will be more comfortable than wearing in your belt area.
V-weights & Tail Weights
This type of weight is made of lead that is positioned between two cylinders and keeps the weight away from your lower back. This is more comfortable than wearing weight belts, however, you can’t release v-weights quickly if you need to make a quick ascent.
How much weight should I use for diving?
It is an integral part of the diving activity to calculate the amount of weight you will need to have a positive or negative buoyancy. Also, to correctly ascend and descend in water areas. Factors like body mass, weight of equipment, kind of swimming water (fresh or saltwater) will need to be considered in adding or choosing diving weights.
Steps to Calculating Your Dive Weight
Check your weight
Weighing your own mass will determine how much weights you need to add. After you acquire your weight, you can use 6-8% of your body mass in diving weight for fresh water swimming. While in saltwater, you have to add 8-10% as it is denser. So added buoyancy is needed.
Weigh Your BCD (Buoyancy Compensator Device)
BCD is your dive jacket. In order to check the buoyancy, submerge it in water and let all the air out that might be trapped inside and allow it to escape. When no bubbles appear in water, let the BCD go. If it floats, you can add weight until it is able to hang in the water. Take how much weights are needed to make your BCD neutrally buoyant.
Determine what equipment you will use
You have to be aware that the more clothes you use (wetsuits) will make you float even more. If you wear wetsuits, you’ll need more weight. While wearing bathing suits or shorts will need less weight.
Test your weights and adjust if needed
Now it is time to go into the water to test your weight with all your diving gears, including the weights. Remember that if your dive is going to be in saltwater, you’ll need a bit more weight compared to a freshwater swimming pool. Determine and take notes (underwater writing device) how much weight is needed if you’re encountering buoyancy problems.
You can use a scuba diving calculator
This will be the easier way to check the much needed weight for your diving. There will be tons of this calculator, you just have to fill out details or fields needed. Be sure to test the result weights or test yourself before each dive.
Conclusion
Diving can be an interesting and adventurous activity. You can try once in your life or even make it as a recreational or professional hobby. And knowing that diving equipment such as diving weights is a basic knowledge you must acquire to fully and safely enjoy diving.