Boy-o-bouyancy

[Sideband]

OK. I just got in the pool with my new 7mil flotation device...errr..wet suit and WOW! It was almost comical. with no weights, my deflated BC and an AL80, I float at my nipples. (can I say "nipples" on here?<g>) I felt like a bouy.
There were 2 classes in the water today and they ran out of weight belts so I started packing my BC pockets with soft weights. A little more....A bit more.... there... that just about does it.. I deflate the BC and start down. My head just gets under and I stop sinking. Being that the class was already going on I decided to just live with it and swim down. I tuck and get my feet in the air all nice and pretty and I start to see little blotches of color going past me to the bottom. A blue one.. Yellow.. Green... Another blue one..green... yellow... Hey, that looks just like my watch that I put in my pocket earlier..I'm not getting any deeper and if anything I'm now out of the water from just *above* my waist to the tips of my fins..
Holy crud!
Those were my weights and that IS my watch! They were now in 7 feet of water and there was NO chance that I was going to be able to get to them as I'm now over 18# positivly bouyant. I ended up ditching the suit and just going in my shorts. I still used about 8 pounds of lead but they were safely tucked into the weight pockets on my BC. Was a bit chilly at first but I got used to it quick enough. I can see what my next purchase is going to be.
Joe

 

[Doc]

I can see what my next purchase is going to be.
Joe

So that would be what? A new dive watch?

Your suit, with age, will necessitate less and less weight as it compresses and the air gets squeezed out of it.

As your abilities improve, you will need less weight- your lungs will be less over filled with excited breathing.

Your BC pockets are simply not for weights- how fortuitous that you learned that lesson the easy way- imagine it at 85fsw!

Look criticaly at your BC and BC choices as to the various onboard weight stowage capabilities. Whether they be pockets with Velcro releases or pouches up high (at your shoulder blades) with Fastex click-snap buckle retainers- you can usually stow 18# on most BCD's.

If it gets necessary, know that there are suspender held weight belts- go to a techie shop- or cruise the DIY section of this board.

Nipples? :11: Speaking of my favorite topic... Try 1-3 "anlkle weights" looped over your tank nipple (the stem). This can balance out your weight over your body. Proper 'trim' is necessary to maintain a comfortable position in the water column.

It will all come in time. Then your buoyancy will change with tanks becoming buoyant at the end of a dive, and then you're going to change to different levels of thermal protection. Keep accurate logs.

Buy a cheap dive watch. Next to a knife, then mask- the dive watch ties with a snorkel for the most oft lost piece of dive equipment.

 

[DBailey]

Buy a cheap dive watch.

I am currently in the market for a dive watch. Right now, I am just looking for a rotating bezel and time keeping. Any inexpensive one that you like?

 

[Doc]

I am currently in the market for a dive watch. Right now, I am just looking for a rotating bezel and time keeping. Any inexpensive one that you like?

Any of the rated Casios are great dive watches. ($30-70)

As for an analog with rotating bezel, the most reliable I've seen for cheap are the Swatch SCUBA models, and they're fun, as well. ($40-75)

I wear a LumiNox s.steel case with carbon bezel. They can be had for under $150, and in the total scheme of things, that could be called cheap compared to some options.

In the 60's I owned 3 different Rolex dive watches. The regular scheduled maint. and worries sent them off on their way via EBay. I like my Casio digital dive-logging watch and "Herself" likes her HyperAqualand but the numbers are small :11: and the downloading befuddles her. :06:

Seiko and Casio also make dive watches that are analog, complete with a "sweep" style hand that shows current depth and max depth. I think it is designed for free divers.