Back fatigue cause and prevention?

[TSandM]

I got terrible backaches when I was a new diver. I'm really not sure why, or what made them go away. I think it was a combination of doing more diving (and therefore toning the muscles I was using to dive), moving some weight up onto my back, moving the tank, and learning how to keep myself in easy horizontal trim. Once I switched to using a backplate (and therefore not having all my weight hanging around my waist, whether that was a belt or integrated pouches) things got better. The only time I get backaches now is occasionally, when diving a 130 and particularly when scootering with one.

 

[Kitty_Kat]

My first BCD didn't fit quite right and gave me pretty bad backaches. Some of that may have been the long walks to the water with everything on... but they did go away eventually! After switching gear (steel tank and then BP) the only times i end up with a sore back are when i've overexerted myself dragging students/floats through surf. TSandM might have a good point about having less weight around the waist!

 

[mstachowsky]

Great! Thanks everyone. Sorry I didn't reply sooner, I was away for the weekend.

I think the comment about arching my back and putting too much weight in the wrong place is definitely true. I did a few dives this weekend and played with my weighting, and interestingly enough when my tank was in a higher position and my weights were just right, my back didn't hurt as much.

I think that as I go along I'll try the other suggestions, and it's great to know that I am not the only one who has had a problem with this.

Thanks!

MIKE