Noob Question, weights

[Shiro]

I've always wanted to be able to stay on the bottom of the pool longer, and thought a weight belt might help. Now that I actually have some money, I'm considering buying one. But I've come up on a problem: how much weight should I use? I just want to be able to stay under more easily; it would be really cool if I could just hang out at about 7 or 8 feet. I'm 5'4" and about 176lb. My doctor says I'm about 30lb overweight, so I'm pretty buoyant.

What I really want is to be able to blow bubble rings from the middle of the pool, but as it is I float up before I've blown more than 3-4, and they usually get messed up by the movement. So being able to "float" at about middle-depth or deeper would be super.

 

[Andrew the fish]

weights come in different sizes, so just buy smaller ones. Assuming you are in fresh water with no wetsuit, you won't need too many, maybe 3lbs total. No big deal if you accidentally bought more then needed - you will need more when you move into saltwater or get into wetsuit.

When I blow bubble rings, I usually help a little bit with arms strokes to stay down. As I blow more rings, I get less bouyant and stay put. Or you can try diving with less then full lungs, works too, except you won't be able to blow too many bubbles as you won't have air for it.

 

[Bill]

It's all about lung size. We are are almost the same size because height doesn't count. I'm 25 pounds overweight and need 11-12# to sink from the surface or 9-10 at ten feet. Best bet is to rent or borrow a weight belt and spend a few minutes in the pool to answer your question.

 

[Shiro]

Thanks for the help! I haven't been able to use my arms because I need to hold my nose (I've never liked face mask goggles). I'm getting a nose plug this weekend though. As for lung size, I've never really practiced holding my breath, and I can hold it for 1:30 with about as long to rest. Am I likely to need more than 10lbs? And what kind of increments should I get? (Like, a couple 5lbs, a bunch of 2-3lbs, both?)

 

[Bill]

I used to like two equal 'hip' weights but 2# work better. I'm guessing you'll need 4-5 to lie on the bottom with full lungs. Let me know.

 

[Shiro]

So four or five 2lb weights, plus a belt to put them on? Thank you, again.

 

[sp9hzx]

Here you can find two fairly good online balast calculators.
Hope it will help mate SPEARFISHING








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SPEARFISHING

 

[Simos]

I've always wanted to be able to stay on the bottom of the pool longer, and thought a weight belt might help. Now that I actually have some money, I'm considering buying one. But I've come up on a problem: how much weight should I use? I just want to be able to stay under more easily; it would be really cool if I could just hang out at about 7 or 8 feet. I'm 5'4" and about 176lb. My doctor says I'm about 30lb overweight, so I'm pretty buoyant.

What I really want is to be able to blow bubble rings from the middle of the pool, but as it is I float up before I've blown more than 3-4, and they usually get messed up by the movement. So being able to "float" at about middle-depth or deeper would be super.

If you want to blow bubble rings from the middle of the pool, my opinion is that it's better to place a weight belt at the bottom and then dive and hang onto it while you blow the first few rings and then as you get more negative, let go. I think it'll be more practical and safer (and it'll also save you the effort of having to carry a heavy weight belt up and down all the time - not trivial if you are on empty lungs with no fins at the bottom in the middle of the pool)

 

[ThomasB]

If you want to blow bubble rings from the middle of the pool, my opinion is that it's better to place a weight belt at the bottom and then dive and hang onto it while you blow the first few rings and then as you get more negative, let go. I think it'll be more practical and safer (and it'll also save you the effort of having to carry a heavy weight belt up and down all the time - not trivial if you are on empty lungs with no fins at the bottom in the middle of the pool)

I've seen people using this instead:


http://www.toper.it/news/VENTOSA ALLUMINIO.JPG

 

[Bill]

Thanks SIMOS. I forgot to say that my weight belt doesn't even have a buckle when I practice rings. Just carry it up and down and sit it on your tummy when on the bottom.

 

[Shiro]

Thanks, everyone! This is all really useful info. I'll need a translator for those ballast calculators though.

 

[sp9hzx]

Google translator will help you.No problem