Ankle weights

[TSandM]

wow, this guy has insanely good buoyancy control!

Yes, Andrew is a extraordinary diver. But I will tell you that, once I realized that this kind of quietness in the water was possible, I started to work on achieving it, and I did. It just takes time and practice (and a little equipment tweaking sometimes). And it's SO much fun, just to be able to hang in the water and not move anything!

 

[Teamcasa]

And it's SO much fun, just to be able to hang in the water and not move anything!

Yes it is!

Holding perfect trim can sometimes be a challenge when the surge keeps things interesting. But don't let those things stop you from trying to get your buoyancy and trim sorted out.

For me, when I dive in my drysuit, I try to get a little bubble of air in my shoulder area and a little pocket of air in each leg. This gives me a little tripod to hang from and allows me to be extremely stable, particularly when I'm video taping. Sometimes I'll use 1lb ankle weights, sometimes not. It all depends on what other gear I'm carrying and what fins I have on.

 

[offthewall1]

I just completed my confined water dives today and the instructor told me I needed ankle weights (which I had to buy for $29.95/pr of course :shocked2.. I was told my legs are too buoyant and are rising. Are these really necessary or is this a bunch of BS?

First get to the bottom of what is floating. Is it you (fat legs,) is it your fins (positive buoyancy,) or is it improper weighting to high on the torso giving you the feeling that your legs are going up... when it's really your torso going down.

A competent Instructor will not rush to ankle weights. They may eventually come to that conclusion after eliminating other more likely causes/fixes.

With all that said, ankle weights have a place other than as training wheels. I've been diving 13 years, thousands of dives an have pin-point buoyancy - yet I still wear ankle weights for doing certain things in my drysuit... don't need them... but I like the 4lbs there as opposed to elsewhere on my body.

My first recommendation if you're wearing a weight belt or integrated BCD with all weights in the front... to move your weight elsewhere... preferably to the sides or back... play with moving the weights around first. Also check the fins for buoyancy characteristics. If the fins float, they are a part of the problem. New fins may be in order.

If you're a large person with extra fat on your legs, you may have a legitimate reason to wear ankle weights. But this is a very rare case indeed.

The final word however is if ankle weights make you happy... then wear them... and who cares what anyone else says...

Happy Diving!

 

[David_57]

Yes, Andrew is a extraordinary diver. But I will tell you that, once I realized that this kind of quietness in the water was possible, I started to work on achieving it, and I did. It just takes time and practice (and a little equipment tweaking sometimes). And it's SO much fun, just to be able to hang in the water and not move anything!

So you are saying you are as good as the guy in this video? Talk about blowing you own horn

 

[Sas]

So you are saying you are as good as the guy in this video? Talk about blowing you own whistle

If you are familar with TSandM's posts (and have read the links in her signature), you would be well aware that she is not one to blow her own whistle...

 

[David_57]

If you are familar with TSandM's posts (and have read the links in her signature), you would be well aware that she is not one to blow her own whistle...

Sorry bud but thats the way I read her last post as for links so what?

 

[Sas]

Then you've read it incorrectly.

Posted via Mobile Device

 

[David_57]

Then you've read it incorrectly.

Posted via Mobile Device

Know what I read, and when you have to post how good you are says a lot a bout that person again just my opinion. Lets face it anyone can make statements on how good a diver they are how great the buoyancy skills are but the proof is when you are actually in the water diving the rest is just hot air, just another Inet diver

I just realised you have never met her whats with that? Tell you what I will change my profile to say I have 10,000 dives, cert level Super Diver Tech Instructor, and my occupation Brain Surgeon.

Anyway wasted my time enough later got to go and prep my gear as I am off diving tomorrow.

 

[Sas]

I did not read that post of hers as her saying how good she was. I read it as trying to aim for being as good as the guy in the video is not impossible (and given her posting history, blog and OW diary, this is a far more likely meaning to take than her going on about how good she is ).

It isn't impossible to be like the guy in the video, if you are willing to spend a lot of time and effort on it (as stated in the post you quoted). New divers should not be discouraged from trying to achive what the person has in the video. And it is a wonderful feeling to be motionless in the water and having to put far less effort into moving around. I don't know why one would not want to try to achieve this.

It is always encouraging to people like me when other divers who struggled initially (like I did) post of their experiences and achievements with diving.

 

[David_57]

I did not read that post of hers as her saying how good she was. I read it as trying to aim for being as good as the guy in the video is not impossible (and given her posting history, blog and OW diary, this is a far more likely meaning to take than her going on about how good she is ).

It isn't impossible to be like the guy in the video, if you are willing to spend a lot of time and effort on it (as stated in the post you quoted). New divers should not be discouraged from trying to achive what the person has in the video. And it is a wonderful feeling to be motionless in the water and having to put far less effort into moving around. I don't know why one would not want to try to achieve this.

Me thinks you have no idea what I am saying as I have absolutely 100% in agreement with divers trying to improve their buoyancy skills and watermanship.