ankle weights

[skybird]

Question
I have a problem. My feet float! part of it is the boots I wear, but whatever the reason, my feet float. Yesterday I was a little underweighted so I was going down the rope ( once Im down I can stay down) and basically had to go down head first because me feet would keep coming to the top behind me. Has anyone used ankle weights? What weight would you recommend? How much strain did it put on your legs while swimming....did it cause muscle cramps?

SkyBird

 

[scubajoh44]

I just did a post on this under the fins forum. My yellow fins are + bouyant. I've had some people suggest ankle weights. I'm gonna try it this weekend. What type of fins do you wear.....(rrrr.. what color?) You might want to read my post also.

 

[markfm]

I used ankle weights, just at the very start, through my cert dives (combined drysuit and OW). They did help, but I quickly got past needing them, cleaned up my trim.

If you're still pretty new, you might want to putz with your trim a bit, see if, for instance, shifting your tank slightly down a bit helps. Likewise, you can try a trim weight at the bottom of the tank -- 2 lb or 4lb on webbing just above the tank boot. (or buy/borrow a regular tank weight)

The weights I have are 1-1/2 pounds each. I didn't notice any muscle problems, but was glad to get rid of them quickly, since in my case they were just part of new diver tenseness (bad form).

Good luck!

 

[dlent]

I use ankle weights because my fins with my boots in side of them will float even without me in them. I've tried all sorts of weight arrangements but ankle weights are the only things that keep my feet down. If your feet keep coming out from under you while you are hovering ankle weights should help. I'm using Avanti Quatros with 7mm boots and 2.75lb.(total) ankle weights. My legs don't seem any more tired than before the ankle weights.

 

[scubajoh44]

True. If you use the ankle weights correctly, they should "balance" you out, and shouldn't make you any more tired. Your fins pull you up, your weights pull you down.

 

[String]

Try adjusting the position of your tank to slightly lower.

Also try redistributing your weight (if its weight intergrated ditch the awful things and try a belt).

Try some negative fins - my mares Avanti X3s are nice and negative.

Do this before ankle weights

If after all this you still need them, get the type you fill yourself with shot. That way you can alter the weight of them to stop you becoming foot heavy or carrying unneeded lead. Also remember weight in those needs to come off your belt to avoid being overweighted.

Although i dont use them now i never felt any more tired and my air consumption never varied when i used ankle weights on my dry suit.

 

[dbg40]

Ankle wts,, yuck. avoid at all costs

 

[Greg D.]

I have see this topic come up a few times now on the board, and there seems to be this ego thing with ankle weights, like your not cool if you wear them or what not, my legs are just plain FLOATY with or without fins, drysuit or not, tank high tank low, weights on belt ect. ect. ect. I tried it all and my feet still float so cool or not I have a set 2lbs in each one, I got the kind that you fill yourself. get a set they are cheap if you dont like em there is always ebay

 

[skybird]

thanks for the replies, I am considereing the weights and tam thinking 2 lbs each

 

[matt_unique]

I have see this topic come up a few times now on the board, and there seems to be this ego thing with ankle weights, like your not cool if you wear them or what not...

Ditto....big time ego. Tons and tons of discussions on ankle weights if you do a search.

4 lbs shifted to a back plate for example is no different than 4 lbs shifted to your ankles. No change in SAC, no change in drag, legs do not get more or less tired than diving sans ankle weights, etc., etc., etc. Some divers prefer to offload some lead from their midsection to their ankles having nothing to do with trim.

Matt