Bouyancy

[SmileMon]

Hi

I had my first pool session today and had a little problem with bouyancy, perhaps someone can give me an advice.

The instructor asked us to empty our BC, lay flat on the pool's floor and see if we can become positive bouyant by filling our lungs and negative bouyant by emptying them.

When I filled my lungs it felt like I'm inflating my BC to the maximum in a second I was flying to the surface and when I emptied I crashed relatively hard, even from a short distance to the floor.

Am I wearing too much weight? too little? everybody else were sort of floating...

Thanks!!

 

[H2Andy]

i think you have really big lungs!

seriously, sounds like your weight is ok (you do rise when you inhale)

try to inhale a LOT LESS... try to keep your lungs maybe 1/3 full at most
and make your changes from that base line

i think you'll see a much more gradual (and manageable) change in bouyancy

 

[skierbri10]

i think you have really big lungs!

seriously, sounds like your weight is ok (you do rise when you inhale)

try to inhale a LOT LESS... try to keep your lungs maybe 1/3 full at most
and make your changes from that base line

i think you'll see a much more gradual (and manageable) change in bouyancy

So, you are saying he is a hoover? :11doh:

 

[H2Andy]

So, you are saying he is a hoover? :11doh:

lol, no way, dude eyebrow


but guys with big lungs are somewhat hosed when it comes to air consumption
(you just use more of the stuff). that's ok, though, you can compesate with
technique and skill

 

[SmileMon]

thanks for the idea Andy, I'll try it, during that session I sucked 100 psi in 2.5 minutes... (so nice to have a dive computer)
and it was only 5 feet deep..
not a bright future... last thing I want is to be the first one to run out of air, I think I'll get double 120's to be an hour like everyone..

 

[H2Andy]

smile, believe it or not, getting confortable under the water, and becoming
at ease with your gear will REALLY help air consumption.

just by diving for a while you'll get better at it. also, you can easily work
on your breathing techniques (basically, don't breathe with full lungs). that
will also help you a lot.

for now, don't worry about it. just learn to dive. it's not a competitive sport.
it's all about safety and team-work. concetrate on those!

 

[SmileMon]

Will do. thanks.

 

[spectrum]

Remember that bouyancy changes take a few seconds to become apparent. Next time take 1/2 a breath and wait to see what happens. Once you tap this factor you can avoid over compenesating. The same holds true on exhale. This applies to lung or BC bladder air. Small changes and patience are your friends.

Pete

 

[wunat]

i think you have really big lungs!

seriously, sounds like your weight is ok (you do rise when you inhale)

try to inhale a LOT LESS... try to keep your lungs maybe 1/3 full at most
and make your changes from that base line

i think you'll see a much more gradual (and manageable) change in bouyancy

I agree. I do have large lungs so I have the same experience when I started diving. And yes, my air consumption is somehow a bid higher than an average diver. But through more diving, it gets better and better.

Enjoy your sessions!!!!

 

[SmileMon]

Remember that bouyancy changes take a few seconds to become apparent.
...
Pete

I think now I understand why people call it zen diving, it will take some time to get used to, being an ex-motorcyclist (maybe fututre too, but not today).