Posted by Jim Hoffmann on September 12, 2000 at 10:40:35:
In Reply to: Weight Check/Reality Check posted by Ken Kurtis on September 11, 2000 at 20:49:21:
Ken, The key here is that the diver can sink slowly at the beginning of the dive(feet first) in a controlled descent, so they can clear their ears.
The other key is that they can be neutral at 15 ft. with 500psi in their tank.
I start my students off with 10% + 10 on there first scuba dive and adjust from there( 1/4 suit 2 piece farmer and steel 72 tanks).
Formula's are hard to apply, because of the variety of suits and tanks available to divers today. About all you can do is look at the divers height and weight, what kind of suit they are diving with(one piece, two piece, 5mm,6mm, 7.5mm etc.), the buoyancy of the tank, and make a best guess.
Jim Hoffmann
Naui 5888
Padi 6301
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