Why when I dive am I always in a standing position? My legs always sink. 
Always in standing position...
- Thread starter Calle Roo
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You could check around for some fins that are a little more buoyant.
Or maybe a thicker wetsuit or boots.
Or move the tank up a bit on the BC.
Or adjust some weights around.
Just have to play around with it till you find a gear config that works for you.
Or maybe a thicker wetsuit or boots.
Or move the tank up a bit on the BC.
Or adjust some weights around.
Just have to play around with it till you find a gear config that works for you.
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Simple answer - your weight is in the wrong location or you're overweighted.
Being overweighted can cause your legs/torso to go vertical and as a result you plow through the water inefficiently - costs you air and bottom time. Given that most modern BC's or weightbelts put the weight low on your hips, this would be my guess.
How much weight do you generally dive with? With/without a wetsuit? (what thickness?)
In warm or cold water? What BC/Fins do you use? Do your fins float or sink in water? How long have you been diving? most people shed weight as they gain experience.
Maybe someone can suggest a better weighting option.
Being overweighted can cause your legs/torso to go vertical and as a result you plow through the water inefficiently - costs you air and bottom time. Given that most modern BC's or weightbelts put the weight low on your hips, this would be my guess.
How much weight do you generally dive with? With/without a wetsuit? (what thickness?)
In warm or cold water? What BC/Fins do you use? Do your fins float or sink in water? How long have you been diving? most people shed weight as they gain experience.
Maybe someone can suggest a better weighting option.
OP
Yeah, I was originally weighted with 16lb in Warm Salt Water when I got my certs with a 1m, but recently went down to 8lb in the lake with just a rashguard.
Yeah the weights sit in the pockets on my hips. Ill try to redistribute them.
And yes my fins do sink.
Awesome. Ill make some of the suggested changes this weekend.
You guys rock!
Yeah the weights sit in the pockets on my hips. Ill try to redistribute them.
And yes my fins do sink.
Awesome. Ill make some of the suggested changes this weekend.
You guys rock!
Try lighter fins. Some fins are negatively buoyant (sink) and will pull your feet down.
And if that is you in your avatar, I sincerely doubt you need anything near 16lbs. With a 1mm suit, you should need only 6 lbs- 8 at the most (based on the picture...). I am 5'6 and 125 lbs. Relatively lean and use 5 lbs comfortably. New divers need a bit more, usually, but NOT 16 pounds!
Also, put some of the weights up near your shoulders in back. A lot of BCs have streamlining wieght pockets there. Try 1 or 2 pounds on each side of your back.
Good luck!
And if that is you in your avatar, I sincerely doubt you need anything near 16lbs. With a 1mm suit, you should need only 6 lbs- 8 at the most (based on the picture...). I am 5'6 and 125 lbs. Relatively lean and use 5 lbs comfortably. New divers need a bit more, usually, but NOT 16 pounds!
Also, put some of the weights up near your shoulders in back. A lot of BCs have streamlining wieght pockets there. Try 1 or 2 pounds on each side of your back.
Good luck!
OP
Yeah, I was unfortunately in 16 lbs in salt water, but the bcd had these nifty weight pockets on the tank. However I was still in the standing position, so I'll rig some to my tank and give it a shot. Maybe try all 8 lbs on the tank, or 4 on the tank 4 in my BCD.
Hank49
Contributor
Just remember to inflate your bc when you take it off at the surface or it'll drop like a rock with all that weight.
I am the same if I use a standard bc that I learned to dive in. Leg heavy. I could maintain horizontalness (is that a word?) if I waggled my fins a bit. So, after reading a lot here on SB, I switched to a 6 lb stainless steel backplate with a wing bc and now I float horizontal with no effort.
I am the same if I use a standard bc that I learned to dive in. Leg heavy. I could maintain horizontalness (is that a word?) if I waggled my fins a bit. So, after reading a lot here on SB, I switched to a 6 lb stainless steel backplate with a wing bc and now I float horizontal with no effort.
Make sure you don't put them ALL on the tank or on your back. You want most of it on a belt or in easy-ditch pockets just in case you need to drop them in an emergency. (That is a LAST resort emergency technique though!!!)
Judging by your picture, it could be the two floaties. As you age, gravity will give you a better center of gravity as the floaties move towards your waist.
O.K., seriously now, I think you are over-weighted. I'm 6'1" and 220 lb and only use 16 pounds in warm salt water while wearing a short 2/1 mm wetsuit, and I'm still a little over-weighted. My wife uses 12 pounds in warm salt water. I don't recall exactly what I wear in fresh water, but I believe it is on the order of 10 pounds, again while wearing a short 2/1 mm wetsuit.
themagni
Contributor
I had the same problem. I've done a lot of biking, leading to trim legs and a less trim torso. When I stopped finning, I'd stand up then sink.
The key word there is the last one - I'd sink. I had negative buoyancy and only constant effort kept me from sinking. Basically, I was swimming up the entire time I was diving.
I started taking weights off, and I've managed to get down to 30 pounds. (Neoprene drysuit, salt water) Get rid of some lead. Try putting some ankle weights on your tank near the tank valve to distribute your weight more evenly.
On my last dive, I could hover in midwater and change my buoyancy just with breathing. I've also managed to get a little more air into my drysuit, which I shift down into my boots. (Be careful with this as you might find yourself with the exact opposite problem) I can drift easily with some air in my legs, even with a small sinking tendency with my fins.
The key word there is the last one - I'd sink. I had negative buoyancy and only constant effort kept me from sinking. Basically, I was swimming up the entire time I was diving.
I started taking weights off, and I've managed to get down to 30 pounds. (Neoprene drysuit, salt water) Get rid of some lead. Try putting some ankle weights on your tank near the tank valve to distribute your weight more evenly.
On my last dive, I could hover in midwater and change my buoyancy just with breathing. I've also managed to get a little more air into my drysuit, which I shift down into my boots. (Be careful with this as you might find yourself with the exact opposite problem) I can drift easily with some air in my legs, even with a small sinking tendency with my fins.
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