weight belts

[DiveDeep3r99]

sorry to be posting so much with all this newbie stuff, but me and my family go to the keys every year for lobstering and spearfishing, im a beginer with free diving, but im a great swimmer, should i consider purchasing a weightbelt? if so what wieght and stuff

thanx
-mike

 

[HEDS]

Hey , you need a weight belt !
This is what i think is important :
Get a quick release buckle for safety.
I like my rubber belt - doesnt slide around on your suit.
How much weight ?? find what suits you and stay safe!
Some people say a Kg for every mm of suit. but it does depend on how deep you go - you need to find out what your usual depths are and weight yourself adequately.
There are plenty of threads here on weights
good luck!

 

[salibandy]

Weight belt: Important, definately. If you're too bouyant and you don't have a weight(ed) belt, you'll expand too much energy trying to go down. Also, since you're spearfishing, you'll want the weighted belt to keep you from floating up.

 

[mtyvlcro]

The amount of weight would be determined by too many factors. I assume it would be like SCUBA where you'd want to be weighted so with full lungs you float at eye level straight up and down, exhale and sink. Make sure you are using the same exposure suit and all the gear you'd carry. You'd be surprised how much can change.
Some of my friends overweight to get to the bottom faster, but I've found it tires me out faster. It's also incredibly dangerous. Either way, always dive with a buddy =]
(and don't mistake your buddy for a big grouper!)