Buoyancy and Trim: Are You Game?

[dberry]

I'm not a tech diver, but I now have confirmation I'm a pompous wanker . I will admit to often ending rec dives by hovering not only at the "safety stop", but also at 10 ft while waiting for others to get back on the boat. It's very relaxing and I'd MUCH rather hang out at 5-10 ft rather than being tossed around on the surface. Partly because after a dive when my NDL gets <10min at depth I figure more shallow out-gassing is just good for my (older) body, and partly because I like the idea of practicing control of my trim and buoyancy. Although sometimes looking back at the dive log to see my depth profile can give a jolt of reality.

Ok, ok, I also like to feel superior to all the people hanging vertically on the lines for their safety stops while I calmly hover (pompous wanker indeed.)

 

[SoCal in MI]

OK, time for me to stop lurking and invite some feedback. I used to consider myself a pretty proficient diver as my buddy & I would share air during a "safety stop" on our long hoses while watching tourists hang onto the anchor line for dear life....

Unfortunately I moved from San Diego to Southwestern Michigan (think Notre Dame area), had kids, etc. etc. Didn't dive much since moving and have just gotten back in the water after Covid shut down my favorite shop. So now I'm back diving in 'crappy little inland lakes' working on my trim, buoyancy and navigation until don't feel like I'll embarass myself in public. Not a GUE diver, but subscribe to a (mostly) DIR mindset. Yes, I just switched my single piece web harness out for a Dive Rite harness with (OMG) a plastic buckle to make it easier to don & doff by myself. Personally I think my skills are horrible, but then again I"m trying to maintain depth with a new suit in 0 vis. I'm not opposed to taking a Fundies course and going GUE, but I don't know if my schedule will permit many team dives.
So...since getting back in the water I realize how much I really missed it. San Diego was heaven. Most of my dives were in the 100-130 foot range (Yukon/P-38). Any suggestions for diving the mid-west? The furthest east in the state I've been is Lake 16. Any suggestions for improving my trim/buoyancy aside from practice, practice, practice? I love the idea of skill games!

Thanks in advance

(oh, and yes I guess you could have called my buddy & me pompus wankers as we watched the tourists )