Changing your gear configuration can be problematic.

[OE2X]

Adding or subtracting an item can throw off your trim to the point where you struggle as if you are just learning to dive.

On a recent dive I had to loan a friend my weight belt. Don’t ask why as it is a long story… I put a 5 lb. weight in each of my drysuit pockets. Knowing that this would work just fine for the dive I didn’t think twice about it until I was underwater. The whole dive I fought to stay horizontal. I was uncomfortable and my sac was a bit higher. The next dive I had my beloved weight belt back and viola – I was back to normal. I’ve found this to be true when carrying a deco bottle or even a new camera. If it’s not a piece of gear you regularly use and compensate for, then your dive will be thrown off a bit.

 

[BabyDuck]

yep. and more than one change at a time is a recipe for a horrible dive!

i'll be glad when i quit adding/subtracting/getting used to new stuff. of course, i have no earthly idea when that will be...

 

[Hoosier]

I agree... That's the reason why we need a lot of logs (endless trial and error). Whenever you buy something, it is another start.....

 

[DiverBuoy]

it is a remarkable thing ... one can hardly believe the effect. I consider myself "perfectly weighted" over years of diving, I really do anticipate adjustments that have to be made. I couldn't believe the noob move I made about 10 days ago, took a new housing down ... when I was testing it out and reading up it was indicating it was neutral. Stupid me .. NEUTRAL WITH CAMERA ... but most manufacturers recommend at least one dive with just the housing, so like a good little underwater photo consumer ... I followed the directions ... it was one of my least favorite recent dives ... happened to add complications with an aluminum 80 that particular dive ... I almost literally popped up in about 10-15 feet of water after 60 minutes lead by my wrist pulling on me

... admittedly I sucked the tank down to about 350psi so was already pretty light ... but having that goofy housing like a bobber attached to my wrist was a major pain. Looking back I should have thought it through and added like 2 pounds for comfort.

 

[Dive-aholic]

yep. and more than one change at a time is a recipe for a horrible dive!

i'll be glad when i quit adding/subtracting/getting used to new stuff. of course, i have no earthly idea when that will be...

Never...

 

[TSandM]

And tiny changes make such a difference . . . I struggled horribly in Fundies (and after) with a tendency to go vertical whenever task-loaded. Moved TWO pounds up onto the cambands (out of the 28 I carry) and presto -- horizontal trim, even during drills. Now I'm paranoid about this upcoming trip to Maui, because I'm afraid it will take me the whole trip to get trimmed out properly in a wetsuit with an Al80!

 

[The Kraken]

Center of gravity and moments of gravity . . . ahhh!!!! I remember the days of primary flight soooo well!!

Not to hijack the thread, but I had an IP in primary flight school who would lean back and forth in the little training helicopter to screw up aircraft attitude.

This fellow was a big boy!

I'd have everything pegged and on the numbers on take off. Then he'd lean forward. His leaning forward would put the nose low on the helicopter, make my airspeed increase and lose altitude.

He'd start screaming and yelling and going on!!!

I'd get it just about corrected to the proper attitude, airspeed, rate of climb, etc. then the sorry S.O.B would lean back!!!

This would cause the helicopter's nose to pitch up, lose airspeed, and gain altitude!!

He'd start screaming again !!!

I'd get it just about corrected and he'd start the same thing over again.

After a couple of days I finally got my act together and would anticipate his movements.

Yep, it's interesting when I shift my Light Cannon from my waist band where I store it and then extend it out in front of me.

Good reason to go the canister light route, eh?

Weight and balance . . . weight and balance!!!

the K

 

[scubafool]

This sounds familiar. The last time I was diving was the first time I dove with singles and my new canister light. I dropped 2lbs off my belt to compensate for the canister, but that didn't quite do it. I was so foot heavy that I ended up holding the weight belt above my head to get trimmed out.

 

[Green_Manelishi]

Adding or subtracting an item can throw off your trim to the point where you struggle as if you are just learning to dive.

Even moving an item if it's sufficiently "heavy".