weights

[MNLakeDiver]

[Body wt] x [mm of neoprene] x 2 x 1% = lead needed.

I like the formula I hav added it to my spreadsheet for diving formulas and it seems pretty close

[Chadwick]

Here is the bits out of the PADI AOW book, 'Adventures in Diving' ... (page 213).
This is to determine a starting point.

3mm/1/16 in. one piece wet suit, shorties, jumpsuits: 5% bodyweight

salt/fresh water change:
187-217lbs: 7lb (add to above for salt, subtract for fresh)

Aluminum 80 cf tank: Add 5lbs.

9.5 + 7 + 5 = 21.5 lbs.

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FWIW: I am 200lbs and in a full 3mm wet suit with gloves, hood and booties with a 50cf tank, I wore 28lbs in salt water. Though I believe I was heavy.
In Cancun, I dove skin with an 80 cf tank with 12lbs and was weighted ok.
Hope that helps.
-Chad

[ghosch]

Wow, that formula would put me about 12 lbs over even in a 5 mil. Does PADI sell their own brand of weights ???

I like the formula posted by Punky, except I would take out the X 2 (though that would probably be a weight a person could work down to, not one they could likely start at, unless you're really dense...)

[scubadog76]

If you have a brand spankin' new wet suit, you will require more weight until all the extra air gets smushed out of it. Just something to keep in mind for down the road.

[Chadwick]

I suppose PADI purposly makes sure you are overweighted as a starting point. Though they have a lot more info on their shart for different body weights and different thicknesses of wet suits and dry suits.
The formula posted by Punky puts me at 4lbs overweight.

[Punky]

ghosch;
You're right that would be a formula for fresh water not salt water.
Using 2% for salt water going by Chadwick's post comes closer, but doesn't work for skin.
[body wt] x [mm neoprene] x 2 x 2% = lead needed for salt.
200 x 3 x 2 x 2% = 24 lbs