Buoyancy Proficiency

[Tigerpaw]

I took my open water at the end of December and as of today, I logged in my 12 dive! While I'm still getting used to diving I get the most frustrated with my buoyancy. Once I'm underwater I'm fine but I'm having issues getting in. I've been told that this just takes time and practice to get it right. Is that pretty much the case? I may be hard on myself, I understand the concepts but I'm going up and down so much, it's frustrating.

 

[rongoodman]

Do you mean you're having issues getting submerged initially? You might be a little light, or you might be kicking unconsciously and pushing yourself back up if you're trying to descend vertically.

 

[Aura]

Are you too light at the end of the dive? Because otherwise I agree with rongoodman that you're probably doing something subconsciously to stay afloat. But you might just need a bit more weight.
New divers tend to go for their BC inflator immediately to fine tune their buoyancy, but the more you can control your buoyancy with your lungs, the better. You'll get better at that with more practice, but try to make it a habit to use the BC no more than necessary.

 

[GreggS]

On the flip side of the above, a lot of new divers are way over-weighted. I know I was when I first started diving and had a really hard time keeping myself from going up and down and having to continuously add or purge air from my BC. As I gained experience, I began reducing the amount of weight I was carrying. When first certified, I was carrying 16 lbs of lead in fresh water. Now, I carry 6-8 lbs depending on just how I am kitted up. Now when I submerge, I add 2 or 3 short blasts to get my buoyancy dialed in and then the only thing I have to do is bleed a little of that air off as the dive progresses in order to maintain buoyancy.

I'm not really sure if this or any of the answers here address your particular problem. From what you say in your OP, it could be either under-weighted or over-weighted. It's a little confusing, to be honest. Perhaps a little better explanation of your problem would enable us help you better.

 

[BlueTrin]

To avoid kicking unnecessarily, try crossing your fins to avoid the natural reflex of moving the legs when you do the initial descent?

When you mention “going up and down” you mean that you cannot stay at the same depth, isn’t it? The first thing to do is a proper buoyancy check so you are not overweighted, this will make it harder to stay neutral. Then, once underwater you need to adjust your buoyancy regularly but by little increments: try tapping the inflator if you start sinking or releasing a tiny bit of air if you feel like you are moving a bit too much up.

Then you can breathe a bit empty or a bit full to make yourself go down or up using your lungs (just remember to not block air in your lungs as you were taught during the class)

 

[stretchthepenn]

Congrats on your 12th dive! As you wrote, you're still just getting used to the experience of diving; thus, it's not surprising that you'll be experiencing a few bumps along the way. Asking for advice is a good idea, and it's a good sign that you're interested in improving your skills.

The wording of your question is a bit confusing; do you mind clarifying? You wrote that you're having troubles "getting in," and that you're "going up and down so much."

At what point during a dive do you experience the buoyancy problem that concerns you? On your initial descent, during the middle portion of the dive, or on ascending to end the dive? What is the sequence of events when you experience the buoyancy problem?

 

[TMHeimer]

Yes, any of the posts above could be the problem. As suggested, do a weight check. Maybe whatever you did during your OW course doesn't translate to your diving now--possible due to different equipment. I assume you are exhaling to initially descend. Keep in mind that when your wetsuit (drysuit?) is bone dry it will be a little harder to descend than when wet on the 2nd dive. You may have too much air in your BC -- to empty it more efficiently you can tip to the left so it vents easier.
Also as mentioned-- short bursts/releases with BC air. That is the first thing our instructor said about buoyancy when I took the OW course. If you're doing that the rest should be easy (using air in lungs, etc.).

 

[Tigerpaw]

Congrats on your 12th dive! As you wrote, you're still just getting used to the experience of diving; thus, it's not surprising that you'll be experiencing a few bumps along the way. Asking for advice is a good idea, and it's a good sign that you're interested in improving your skills.

The wording of your question is a bit confusing; do you mind clarifying? You wrote that you're having troubles "getting in," and that you're "going up and down so much."

At what point during a dive do you experience the buoyancy problem that concerns you? On your initial descent, during the middle portion of the dive, or on ascending to end the dive? What is the sequence of events when you experience the buoyancy problem?

THANKS everyone for your replies. Whenever I get in the water, boat or shore dive, my body naturally goes horizontal. I have to struggle and have to grab someone by the forearms then force my legs down to be completely vertical for a descent down. Also, I can bleed the air out of my bcd and I still am floating. On my last dive my buddy had to pull me down and after that action I started to sink. Now, once I am at depth I am fine and can swim around with little issues but trying to stay vertical upon entry is very difficult. As for weights, I was using 8 pounds in Tahiti, in the rough Atlantic waters I was using 12 pounds and this past weekend at the lake it was 16 pounds.

Also, I'm having problems ascending but I know I'm not letting out air before I start to ascend and in that case I just need to practice. So that part I'm aware on, the descent is what's getting me frustrated. Thanks again to everyone ALL of your comments and suggestions are helpful.

 

[Tigerpaw]

To avoid kicking unnecessarily, try crossing your fins to avoid the natural reflex of moving the legs when you do the initial descent?

When you mention “going up and down” you mean that you cannot stay at the same depth, isn’t it? The first thing to do is a proper buoyancy check so you are not overweighted, this will make it harder to stay neutral. Then, once underwater you need to adjust your buoyancy regularly but by little increments: try tapping the inflator if you start sinking or releasing a tiny bit of air if you feel like you are moving a bit too much up.

Then you can breathe a bit empty or a bit full to make yourself go down or up using your lungs (just remember to not block air in your lungs as you were taught during the class)

Thanks, I will try crossing my fins next time.

 

[Tigerpaw]

Do you mean you're having issues getting submerged initially? You might be a little light, or you might be kicking unconsciously and pushing yourself back up if you're trying to descend vertically.

THANKS, I will try crossing my fins