Weight Systems
With the proper amount of weight, you should float at eye level with a normal breath of air.
Why Divers Wear Weights
Your exposure suit and body are buoyant. This means that to descend and remain underwater, you'll need to wear lead weights to offset this buoyancy.
The exact amount of weight you'll need to wear depends on your body type, type and thickness of your exposure suit, and whether you're diving in salt or fresh water. If you wear too little weight, you'll float to the surface during your dive. If you wear too much, you'll have difficulty staying off the ocean floor.
Your instructor will work with you to determine the proper amount of weight for you to wear. When properly weighted, you should float at or near eye level with a normal breath of air in your lungs and an empty BC (covered during the next topic). You should then slowly sink when you exhale that breath.
The exact amount of weight you'll need to wear depends on your body type, type and thickness of your exposure suit, and whether you're diving in salt or fresh water. If you wear too little weight, you'll float to the surface during your dive. If you wear too much, you'll have difficulty staying off the ocean floor.
Your instructor will work with you to determine the proper amount of weight for you to wear. When properly weighted, you should float at or near eye level with a normal breath of air in your lungs and an empty BC (covered during the next topic). You should then slowly sink when you exhale that breath.
