Buoyancy problems – can’t get horizontal,

[Scuba_Vixen]

Glad to see another gal who wants to show better than just average form. Most of the replys seem to offer good sugestions, I think you'll find that tank position has rather limited effect, compared to weight position. Most women that I see trimmed well, have BC's with trim pockets. Typically they have 2 or 3 lbs in each side, depending on exposure protection. This allows them to have less weight on the waist/hip area. You don't mention what exposure protection you wear, but there's a big trim difference between a tropical shorty and a full suit with the bouyancy of the neoprene from the thigh to ankle to keep the legs up . If you don't have trim pockets on your bc, check on some of the ways to use regular weights on a cam band on your tank. It's always so much easier to look under a ledge standing on your head so your feet stay off the bottom.
Move some weight closer to the top of your tank and you'll be "on the level".

Darlene

 

[Suzana]

I am glad this old thread got resurrected again since I just got my next holiday planned (67 days to go… )!! And I am hoping to improve my skills then.

I think I am not quite neutral yet – as mentioned, on my last trip I dropped a lot of weight and that made things much better, but I could probably loose a little more.

I still haven't bought all my own gear, and at the moment, I can't really afford a BCD.

With rental gear, would I normally be able to use weights in the trim pockets or on the tank? As suggested by a few people. Is there something I should bring with me (without buying the BCD itself) to enable this for my next holiday?

but there's a big trim difference between a tropical shorty and a full suit with the buoyancy of the neoprene from the thigh to ankle to keep the legs up

So far I have mainly dived in warm water in a 3mm suit (full length). Although I just did my dry suit course so I will soon be braving the cold waters of the UK.

 

[Charlie99]

Suzana once bubbled...
With rental gear, would I normally be able to use weights in the trim pockets or on the tank? As suggested by a few people. Is there something I should bring with me (without buying the BCD itself) to enable this for my next holiday?

Your rental BC might not have trim pockets. If you bring a 1# and a 2# soft ankle weight, then you can adjust your trim by putting one or both around the tank valve.

If you don't want to bring 3 pounds of lead, then at least bring a bit of bungee cord or webbing that you could use to strap a small weight block to the tank neck.

When I rent gear I always also bring along a snorkel keeper or two and a couple of big rubber bands to secure loose gear like octopus and console.

 

[Debbraey]

I had many problems finding buoyancy when I was certifying..We were using aluminum 80s @ 12lbs...the very next week end we bought our own lp steel 80s @ 6lbs and wah lah buoyancy was acheived...Remember your BC is not an elevator I was told that lots while certifying
Good Luck
Time and Practice