How much weight with a shorty?

[Draenog]

Hi all

does anybody have a rough idea of how I can figure out how much snorkelling weight I need to take on holiday if I'm only going to be wearing a shorty wetsuit?

I can't remember how much is on my belt now (worn with a 5mm surfsuit + gloves, boots, hood etc) but I can weigh it tonight when I get home.

Haven't got time to go and get in the sea now to work it out before I go. Weight limit on the plane is 15 kg so I don't wanty to take loads if I can help it.

I will be using my camera, so I like to be able to stay on the bottom at about 5-8m without hanging on to anything.

 

[hudasmt]

If you are wearing a 2.5 mm shorty, you need 10 to 12 lbs of lead on your belt if your body weight is about 88 kg.

 

[azapa]

i could be cheaper to borrow/buy lead when you arrive rather that risk excess baggage.

 

[Erik]

Lots of variables, but 12 lbs will sink you like a rock anywhere except the Red Sea, the Dead Sea, and the Gulf, which all have higher salinity than most other places.
If you want to be able to float and relax at the surface without kicking, then I'd say start with 6lbs, deprending on: fat/skinny/lung size/comfort level/age of suit/thickness of suit.... blah blah haha!
Have a nice holiday.

 

[Draenog]

Thanks for the advice guys.

I've just borrowed some scales. Looks like I'm just under 13 stone. My normal weight belt is 1 stone (14 pounds).

I reckon I might go for 1 x 4lb weight and 2 x 2lbs which will give me a choice of 4 , 6 or 8lbs on the belt.

Should be able to put that in my hand luggage with a kilo left for food on the flight.

 

[Draenog]

Just thought I'd post what I did in case anyone else is in hte same dilemma.

In the end due to weight restrictions I took 6 pounds, which was just about enough. I could have comfortably used 8 with the shorty if I'd had it.

Water was so warm I usually just wore a thermal rash vest