Having the right amount of weight for a freediving dive is essential for safety and comfort. Using too little weight can be dangerous and can make a dive difficult or impossible.
Beginners should start off light and build their weight up over time. The amount of weight you need will depend on your body size, your dive kit, and the temperature of the water. Adding fins can also affect buoyancy.
Using too much weight will cause you to sink instead of float. If you lose your buoyancy, you will have to swim up to the surface to regain your buoyancy. It can be a life-threatening situation.
If you are new to freediving, it is important to get a weight belt. It helps seal your wetsuit and redistributes your weight. For a diver of around 80kg, you will need a lead weight of 5kg. If you are heavier, you may need a heavier lead weight.
Beginners should not dive below ten meters. Blackout is most common in the top ten meters of shallow water. The water level should be about halfway up your face. It is important to have a trained buddy to help you during your first freediving dive.
Experienced freedivers often fix the neutral buoyancy point to a depth one-third of the planned depth. This makes it easier to find the neutral buoyancy zone. It also allows for more controlled emergency ascents.
You can also adjust the weight belt during your dive. For instance, if you are going for a longer bottom time, you can remove some weights and add them back.