bouyancy question

[gorock]

Ok, my legs are very dense muscle, especially in relation to my upper body. this has always been.

it seems to make it virtually impossible for me to hover in a prone position. for my open water qual dives my instructor allowed me to hover sitting indian style.

the problem is that as soon as i stop moving and try to hover prone my legs swiftly swing down and sink.

does anyone else have this problem, and/or have a solution so that i can control my bouyancy better in a prone position?

thanks

 

[Scuba_Vixen]

are you using...... I see this often in the tourist divers using a rental shorty. (They may have been fine in a full suit) Try moving some of the weight from the belt to the tank's cam band (they have small pouches specifically for this) or trim pockets on your BC if you have them. Moving weight up will cantilever yoour legs up as it moves your center of gravity so that you'll balance more horizontally. From what you describe, I'd try moving half the weight up and make additional adjustments from there depending on your trim.


Good luck,


Darlene

 

[pipedope]

If you get fins that float it might help.
Thicker booties also.

I have the same problem whn swimming but not geared up for diving.

 

[James connell]

as a bike racer, i have rather negitive legs as well. how much weight you useing?

put a couple of lbs around the tank neck. on a seperate camband is even better - you can move it up and down the tank as needed to perfect trim. oh try to set the lead up so it's as close to your body as you can.

 

[Diver0001]

gorock once bubbled...
Ok, my legs are very dense muscle, especially in relation to my upper body. this has always been.

it seems to make it virtually impossible for me to hover in a prone position. for my open water qual dives my instructor allowed me to hover sitting indian style.

the problem is that as soon as i stop moving and try to hover prone my legs swiftly swing down and sink.

does anyone else have this problem, and/or have a solution so that i can control my bouyancy better in a prone position?

thanks

The others already gave some excellent suggestions. I'll add that you can try to move the tank up a little higher if you still have the latitude to do so or try wearing your entire scuba unit a little higher on you back if you can. YOu could also take a look at how much weight you carry vs how much you really need. If you're wearing too much around your middle it will force your hips down and exaggerate the effect of heavy legs. A thorough buoyancy check might solve part of your problem. Finally, try holding your knees bent and not straight if you're not already. That might change the dynamics a bit too.

R..

 

[LUBOLD8431]

One thing that i found that works really well is those little floatie things that they use for kids to not drown that goes on their arms... put a couple of those on your legs, and you will be all set...

Hmmm... But, I wonder, are those DIR approved???

Can anyone check their book on that one???

hmmmm...

Also, I can only find them in yellow with little flowers all over them, does anyone know where they sell them in black???

You know, DIR and everything...


LMAO...

Sorry, but that just made my whole day better, thanks... I crack myself up...

 

[Genesis]

There is nearly always a solution to this problem that involves moving weight (not necessarily mass - negative buoyancy) around in/on your kit.

 

[nessum]

I too have pretty muscular legs (I do a lot of biking, used to run, etc).
The advantage is that I trained myself to go without ankle weights in a drysuit very quickly.
Like everyone else has said move around some of your weight & get something mildly floaty at your feet. I'm thinking booties would be the most streamlined possibility.

 

[gorock]

Thanks for all the responses guys.

When i dive open water i use a full wetsuit, im up north and all.

this is also a problem when i am in confined water, i am assisting my original instructor and doing work towards divemastership...what im getting at is i dont use any exposure protection in the confined water.

next time i get in ill try putting some lead up high on my tank.

oh yeah, in open water i use between 15 and 20 lbs and nothing in confined water.

again, thanks all.

 

[divermasterB]

The key is to get your center of gravity, and center of buoyancy where they are in line with each other. This could entail moving from a weight belt to integrated weights, or like others have suggested taking weight off the belt/integrated and moving it to a cam band on the tank.


Another good way to get a feel for it is to take trip/clip weights in the water with you. Try clipping them at different points up and down your body and playing with your buoyancy. It won't take too long to realize that a small movement of the ballast can make for a big difference in trim.

Another idea is to get a drysuit. I love my trim when diving dry.