How to do a proper weight check

Correct weighting lets you hold a shallow stop comfortably at the end of a dive, without kicking to stay down. A check with full cylinders gives you a starting point; checking again with nearly empty cylinders is more accurate.

At the start: full cylinders

Float upright at the surface with your regulator in your mouth. Empty your wing, stop moving your hands and fins, and take a normal breath. The usual starting reference is floating at eye level, then gently sinking when you exhale. Keep breathing as you descend.

If you set your weight this way with full cylinders, allow for the gas you will breathe during the dive. For example, a 12-litre cylinder going from 200 to 50 bar loses about 2.2 kg of gas weight.

At the end: 3 metres, 30–50 bar

With your cylinders at a low pressure, commonly 30–50 bar, settle at around 3 metres and empty your wing. Stay horizontal, keep your hands and fins still, and breathe normally.

You hover comfortably: Your weighting is about right.

You keep sinking: You may have too much weight.

You keep rising: Check for trapped gas first. If you still rise, you need more weight.

You should not need to kick down or keep your lungs unusually empty to hold depth. Make small ballast adjustments at the surface with positive buoyancy, then repeat.

What changes with a drysuit?

Empty the wing, but keep enough gas in your drysuit to relieve squeeze and allow your insulation to work. Vent excess suit gas using the position and technique taught in your training.

Do not squeeze the suit completely flat or inflate it excessively to compensate for too much lead. Aim for a comfortable, repeatable amount of suit gas.

Different suits and thicker undergarments can change your ballast needs, so check again whenever your setup changes.

Record your weight, equipment, water type and cylinder pressure. The best result is simple: a relaxed shallow hover near the end of the dive, with normal breathing and still fins.