How Much Weight Should I Use Free Diving?

As Much Weight the Diver Can Swim With

Weight enables free divers to get to depth quicker. The faster they get there then the deeper they can go before having to resurface. A diver can carry as much weight as he is able to swim to the surface without difficulty.

Capable of Floating to the Surface

Free diving, however, is still a test of the diver's ability to swim to a depth and back. Due to safety issues, such as shallow water blackout, a diver should wear only enough weight that allows him to float to the surface when shallower than 15 feet.

Bottom Line

Free diving is a test of a diver's endurance, not how deep she can go attached to an anchor. Safety issues dictate that it is better to wear only enough weight to help contend with the upward forces exerted by the water, but not enough to put her in danger of not being able to surface.

References

• Free Diving: How to Get Started
• Underwater Hunters: Free Diving Equipment
• British Freediving Association: Freediving Equipment