Ankle weights on Tank Valve

[Saltair]

I have been getting in the pool with my wife during her OW class. I myself am a new diver and have been using the free pool time to play with bouyancy. I find that I am head high all the time. I am not weight integrated, but use the DUI weight and trim system. I remeber this past summer seeing someone with an ankle weight wrapped around their tank valve. I just tried putting one on, i was going to try it in the pool tonight, and it seem like a lot of pressure on the valve. It took some work to get it all clipped together. Is this a common practice? Other suggestion for getting some weight high in a rig that is not weight intergrated? Thanks,

Terry :huh:

 

[teamgs]

My wife used that technique as a sort of "stop gap" measure, during one of her first dives, as her trim was all off. The DM gave an ankle weight to her during the dive, and it helped a lot. However, we then spent time playing with her trim to eliminate the need for it in the future.

I have heard that, providing the valve doesn't hit your head when you look up, that you can move the tank up higher on the BCD, though I have not actually tried it.

 

[hvulin]

try moving your tank higher (put your BC a little bit lower on the tank)... this should lower your head but we can't give you much advice without a picture of you diving...

 

[Saltair]

There are no pictures. Last time in the pool the tank was too high and I was still head high I think. To be honest I not sure exactly what it should look like.

 

[Steve50]

I remeber this past summer seeing someone with an ankle weight wrapped around their tank valve. I just tried putting one on, i was going to try it in the pool tonight, and it seem like a lot of pressure on the valve. It took some work to get it all clipped together. Is this a common practice? Other suggestion for getting some weight high in a rig that is not weight intergrated? Thanks,

Terry :huh:

I've used that method quite often, especially when wearing a lot of weight in cold water. Works great.

 

[thmoose51]

XS Scuba has fairly inexpensive weight pockets. You can put a couple of those on a cam strap and lock it down tight near the top of your tank. That might help.

 

[Tavi]

I usually have a 1 lb ankle weight around the neck of my tank. It helps to trim me out.

what kind of fins are you using??

I like my Jet fins, but they are heavier than my quattros, I trim out better with the quattros.

 

[String]

I use it occasionally to counter my incredible sinking feet. Weights are only about 2lb maximum so not really stressing the valve. Just make sure they're secure and cant move/swing.

 

[Diving Doc]

There is another system out there called bright weights. They attach to the cylinder and have the added bonus of being an anti roll device and carry strap for your cylinder.

The down side is the extra weight on your bc when your buddy helps u get it on!

 

[Tavi]

I use it occasionally to counter my incredible sinking feet. Weights are only about 2lb maximum so not really stressing the valve. Just make sure they're secure and cant move/swing.

Mine is on loose and can move and swing all it wants, It doesn't hurt anything.