Buoyancy And Weights

[Steve Tyler USA]

Yesterday I did a safety checkout dive in the pool with my new equipment. Everything worked great but. Lol here's the but part.when checking my buoyancy on my side I had a slight roll. OK. I got out and checked my weights and sure enough I had put a 3lb instead of the 4 lb weight like the other. Corrected on sight A-Ok now. Guess I was looking at it wrong. Lol :-D

 

[Neilwood]

If your eyes were doing the same as your profile pic no wonder you didn't see it right!

 

[htatton]

Unbalanced weights can be a real problem.

I went for the Aquarium dive at Disney World in Orlando. At the last minute they decided the BCD they had fitted me with was too small so they quickly changed me over. Once I got under the water, I found two problems. 1- I sank like a rock and 2- could not keep from rolling on my side. I was a very new diver so I just chalked it up to my lack of skill. It was a very difficult dive, I was flailing all over the place. I'm sure my buddy thought I was a total dorf.

When I got out I pulled my weight pouches. One had 5lb, The other had 15lbs. Yep it can roll you right over on your side.
I've become a lot more assertive since then. Twenty feet in an aquarium wasn't dangerous, but in open water it really could have been. I now take my time and check everything. By the way the Aquarium was a blast otherwise. I plan to go back.

Hyrum

 

[Steve Tyler USA]

Yep. I'm glad I did a safety checkout in a pool. That would have sucked in open water. Kinda glad I wasn't the only one that's ever done that to. Hard to see the numbers on the weights sometimes. Hey Neil I really don't look like that. Lol

 

[rongoodman]

I'm surprised you felt a difference that small. My primary light is certainly heavier than that and I've never noticed it.

 

[Steve Tyler USA]

I'm surprised you felt a difference that small. My primary light is certainly heavier than that and I've never noticed it.

Hi. It was really slow. I had done the Buddha thing and I would tip real slow. I was stretched out on my side and I would do a real slow roll but not when I was on my other side. I just had basic equipment on. I was trying to be super neutral I guess. Lol

 

[Neilwood]

Unbalanced weights can be a real problem.

I went for the Aquarium dive at Disney World in Orlando. At the last minute they decided the BCD they had fitted me with was too small so they quickly changed me over. Once I got under the water, I found two problems. 1- I sank like a rock and 2- could not keep from rolling on my side. I was a very new diver so I just chalked it up to my lack of skill. It was a very difficult dive, I was flailing all over the place. I'm sure my buddy thought I was a total dorf.

When I got out I pulled my weight pouches. One had 5lb, The other had 15lbs. Yep it can roll you right over on your side.
I've become a lot more assertive since then. Twenty feet in an aquarium wasn't dangerous, but in open water it really could have been. I now take my time and check everything. By the way the Aquarium was a blast otherwise. I plan to go back.

Hyrum

10lbs of difference between sides would be kind of noticeable I would have thought.

I think in that situation (ie the quick change of equipment)I would have done a quick check of my own equipment before I splashed. A few seconds on the surface checking the weight pouches (even pulling them out to check the engagement of the system) would have made a big difference to the dive and your enjoyment.

 

[JBFG]

I've never noticed 1 lbs difference between side. I try to remain balance but it's not always possible.

 

[DiverDownD3]

I've never noticed 1 lbs difference between side. I try to remain balance but it's not always possible.

Yeah, I've had several times were I've had 1lb difference between sides because I had to go with the weights that were available. Didn't even notice.

 

[htatton]

10lbs of difference between sides would be kind of noticeable I would have thought.

I think in that situation (ie the quick change of equipment)I would have done a quick check of my own equipment before I splashed. A few seconds on the surface checking the weight pouches (even pulling them out to check the engagement of the system) would have made a big difference to the dive and your enjoyment.

I absolutely agree. I was too dumb, proud, rushed whatever to do anything about. I now NEVER go down unless I feel comfortable. Thanks for the advice. Hyrum