Buoyancy Issue - When Hovering Rolling to the Right

[delaine4339]

What is the issue when I'm attempting to hover and I automatically roll to the right? My weights are evenly distributed, I'm weighted appropriately, and I have a short steel tank. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

 

[Ayisha]

What is hovering?

Maintaining position in mid-water while remaining still. O/W course materials likely have a better definition.

 

[boulderjohn]

In the PADI course, hovering is not actually defined. It is required twice in the pool sessions:

CW 3: 5. Hover using buoyancy control for at least 30 seconds, without kicking or sculling.​

CW 4: 6. Orally inflate the BCD to hover for at least one minute, without kicking or sculling.​

​

It is required during the OW dives.

OW 3:7. Become neutrally buoyant and hover by inflating the BCD orally.​

​

[Off topic curiosity--I copied and pasted the standards quoted here from the PADI manual. In the cases where the pasted words were "inflate" and "inflating," the words appeared here without the "l." The words were spelled correctly in the manual, but incorrectly when I pasted them into this post. If anyone can explain that....]

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I have also seen a number of students experience this. One of the more common factors is hand and foot position.
Until it becomes instinctual not to do it, some will drop a hand or foot and this causes the roll effect. Especially if they are properly weighted as far as amount.
It can also be due to weight distribution and position of the lead. I've seen people use a weight belt and not realize that a spine weight is not centered, but too far to the left or right.
I would often give students something to hold in both hand and require them to keep a grip on it with both to get out of that drop the hand habit.
Or go behind them and lift their foot.
Most don't even realize they are dropping their foot. They have to develop a sense of how that feels. Usually only takes about two pool sessions and being told to focus.
It's not something that takes a lot of time, but it does take concentration. That is something that quickie courses may not allow because so much is being jammed down their throats.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Maintaining position in mid-water while remaining still. O/W course materials likely have a better definition.

This is a perfect explanation. Only addition would be to do this in a horizontal position. No Buddha hovering!

 

[aquaticj10]

I have also seen a number of students experience this. One of the more common factors is hand and foot position.
Until it becomes instinctual not to do it, some will drop a hand or foot and this causes the roll effect. Especially if they are properly weighted as far as amount.
It can also be due to weight distribution and position of the lead. I've seen people use a weight belt and not realize that a spine weight is not centered, but too far to the left or right.
I would often give students something to hold in both hand and require them to keep a grip on it with both to get out of that drop the hand habit.
Or go behind them and lift their foot.
Most don't even realize they are dropping their foot. They have to develop a sense of how that feels. Usually only takes about two pool sessions and being told to focus.
It's not something that takes a lot of time, but it does take concentration. That is something that quickie courses may not allow because so much is being jammed down their throats.

Thanks a lot, will keep this in mind. Could be an issue with my foot dropping because I've never focused on that so much. Ive tried perfect balance on the belt and also in the integrated BCD pockets but no luck. Goals for tomorrow is to keep your advice in mind and actively engage my core/glutes!