I went diving with my new Seaquest Diva BC that has intergrated weights. It was so different than using a weight belt. I was using 12 lbs (2lbs & 4lbs) in each side pouch. My problem was I felt like I was at 40 degree angle with my head in the up position. There are two pockets high on the back of the bc that you can use for non ditchable weight that I have not tried yet. How should I distribute my weights? Any ideas?
bouyancy and intergrated weights
- Thread starter Luv2dive
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
From what I have seen of my dive buudy's intergrated weight BC I would suggest moving the 2lb weights to the non ditchable pockets. If you are using steel tanks this might make you a little heavy on the back. You could try switching to 1 lb weights instead of 2 lbs and use that to refine your trim. I still use a weight belt so this is observational specualtion but I hope it helps.
BadFish
Guest
Do you remember when you first started dive? Back then you had to learn trim and balance with a weight belt. Now that you have changed the way you use your weight, you will now have to learn to wear them intragrated. You will figure it out, just try it out for a while and you will get the hang of it.
sharpenu
Contributor
The most common cause for trim problems (especially in integrated BC's) is overweighting. Remember that your weight is at your waist. If you wear too much, you will need air in the bladder (which is high on your torso). That will cause a head-up attitude. If you are interested, PM me and I can help you compute the proper weight. This will be more pronounced with the Diva LX, which is rear inflation. When I first switched to my integrated (Seaquest Black Diamond) BC, I had to learn the skills of proper weighting. Relax and learn my young padouain. (Forgive me, I just saw Star Wars)
If your head was in the up position try to attach your tank higher up in the bc this will move more weight to your head and help with the trim.
Good luck. I hope this helps.
Chad
Good luck. I hope this helps.
Chad
I dive a Ranger to which I have added rear trim pouches. If I dive 10 lbs, I have 3+3 in the frount and 2+2 in the rear. My wife dives a Diva and she uses 12 lbs, 4+4 in frount and 2+2 in the rear. But first, make sure you are not overweighted, extra air in the BC is a big problem.
sharpenu, I am curious how you would calculate the proper amount of weight via email?
sharpenu
Contributor
First, wearing the tank higher won't help much if you are using aluminum. Actually, an AL80 higher on the BC will make it worse, if you are in fact overweighted. An AL80 is -1.4lbs when full, and +4.4 lbs when empty. So, 1000 PSI or so into your dive, the tank will become bouyant, which when worn higher, will make the problem worse.
As far as computing weight by email, once you find the weight needed for your body in a pool, computing your weight for sea water is just math.
As far as computing weight by email, once you find the weight needed for your body in a pool, computing your weight for sea water is just math.
dvleemin
Contributor
You may be able to compute the weight, but no math will tell you were to place the wieghts for proper trim. That will depend on each person individually - how much muscle mass and fat they have, and where it is located.
Darryl
Similar threads
