how much weight

Question
I am going diving in Utila on the Aggressor and just purchased a 5mm wet suit, due to the fact in 3mm after my second dive my teeth are chattering. With the 3mm I used about 8lbs of weight, I am 5'7 & 112 lbs, any suggestion on how much weight to try with a 5mm suit.

Answer
Greetings Donna,

Congratulations on your new equipment purchase. Having a 5mm wet suit will give you more options to dive in otherwise-too-cold sites. Slowly but steadily, divers acquire equipment that eventually will suit their diving styles.

The famous question on how much weight is simply answered with: IT DEPENDS.

I get the impression that you are an experienced diver. You are using 8 lbs of weight when diving in 3mm wet suit, which is the same I use when diving recreationally, and you are embarking in a top-notch dive trip into an exotic location. So, having said that, I am sure you normally wouldn't have much problems with staying underwater due to hyperventilation and similar problems that novice divers may encounter.

Because a 5mm suit will make you slightly more buoyant, I would recommend you begin with 12 pounds and then aim to lower it to 10 lbs eventually. 12 should be more than enough for you, but initially I'd prefer you be overweight than underweight. On subsequent dives you could fine-tune your weight belt to make it lighter if you feel you had to add too much air to your BCD.

As always, you can do the proverbial buoyancy test at the surface once you have your equipment ready.

Good luck with your test and have a safe diving in Utila. I hope this answers your question. If you need anything else, feel free to contact me again.

Sincerely,

Gustavo E. Flores
PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor