Spectre:
Not the norm based on what I've seen. But then again, some people are more adept to begin with.
Could the need for ankle weights be influenced by gender?
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Not the norm based on what I've seen. But then again, some people are more adept to begin with.
MildlyDamp
Registered
Through two different sets of fins, I've consistently had trouble with "floaty feet." I'm a 135lb, 5'7" male. I just purchased ankle weights, but haven't had a chance to use them. Several people have said you don't need ankle weights if you adjust your trim properly. I have a weight integrated BC, so how can I adjust my trim to eliminate ankle weights?
Depending on the BC, there may be trim pockets you can use to shift the positioning of your weights around. As well, you can make adjustments to your weight belt if you use one.
Training wheels have their use. This just happened last night.
A woman, 5'5", 200 lbs.
Preliminary weighting in pool, 26 freakin pounds!
Tank as low as possible.
UW position: almost upside down with her legs straight.
I transferred one lb. to each ankle just so we could even begin to work on bouyancy techniques and body positioning. Her trim was dead on with the weights. I'll never know if the training wheels could have come off because she decided scuba was not for her and never got out of the shallow end.
Neil
PS Oddly enough, she wouldn't scuba to the deep end, but I had her freediving like a champ all the way to the bottom @ 14 feet.
A woman, 5'5", 200 lbs.
Preliminary weighting in pool, 26 freakin pounds!
Tank as low as possible.
UW position: almost upside down with her legs straight.
I transferred one lb. to each ankle just so we could even begin to work on bouyancy techniques and body positioning. Her trim was dead on with the weights. I'll never know if the training wheels could have come off because she decided scuba was not for her and never got out of the shallow end.
Neil
PS Oddly enough, she wouldn't scuba to the deep end, but I had her freediving like a champ all the way to the bottom @ 14 feet.
I do not like ankle weights for the reasons Walter mentioned. They're just a drag during a surface swim.
I have semi-floaty feet in my drysuit (with bouyant fins). But I've started running again so hopefully converting my calves into muscle will help a bit more.
I know people (my dad) that have dove for years that swear by ankle weights. I was sick of them by about 5 or 10 dives.
I have semi-floaty feet in my drysuit (with bouyant fins). But I've started running again so hopefully converting my calves into muscle will help a bit more.
I know people (my dad) that have dove for years that swear by ankle weights. I was sick of them by about 5 or 10 dives.
scubagrrl
Guest
Ok . . . I think it's time to resurrect this thread. I am a writer and am interested in writing an article about weighting guidelines for women. I am absolutely convinced that the PADI weighting charts were designed for men . . . . (maybe you'll all say I'm just too much of a rookie diver for saying this), but I have found that I absolutely CANNOT sink in salt water with a Farmer John wetsuit on with the max weight recommended on those charts. I have tried finning down with all my strength, relaxing completely, exhaling completely . . . everything. Finally, I gave up and had to add six more pounds of weight (and was still too buoyant with my AL 80 at the end of my dive) . . . In my case, and I'm hoping some of you women out there can comment on this, it is not floaty feet that cause me a problem . . . it's floaty boobs! Sorry to be crass, but I cannot find anything written on this topic (and now believe it'll make a great article). Anyone else have this problem? I have really had to play with my weight distribution because of this issue. Also, I'm short, which doesn't help (the tank extends quite far down my back . . . I think too much weight down here contributes to my being bottom-heavy) . . . . I tried a 4-lb tank weight recently while diving with an AL 80, and that was great! It brought my head down and brought me into a much more horizontal position. (Of course, my fins are negatively buoyant, as I discover every time I drop them, which seems to be quite often!) Anyway . .. random thoughts on this topic . . . looking for input from all you "experts." Also looking for folks who're willing to be interviewed on this topic for my article. Cheers!
BabyDuck
Contributor
send a pm to mrs prages and ask about her shoulder strap weights... and i used the ankle weights as a crutch (meaning my instructor put them on but said 'you need them now, but you won't in a few dives' so i knew they weren't forever) the first 5 or so dives, until i started shedding the lead. haven't missed them.
The Kraken
He Who Glows in the Dark Waters (ADVISOR)
ScubaBoard Supporter
Scuba Instructor
Divemaster
Scubagrrl,
I'm not sure on this, so don't quote me.
But I'm pretty certain that the weight guidelines weren't drawn up using 7mm fj/j's.
the K
I'm not sure on this, so don't quote me.
But I'm pretty certain that the weight guidelines weren't drawn up using 7mm fj/j's.
the K
I've heard male colleagues mention time & again that females have more of a tendency to have floaty feet. Maybe I'm the exception to the norm, but until recently (changes in gear/configuration both in pool & ocean set-ups) I've had to combat sinky feet. Every time I hear "women tend to have floatier feet than men," I cringe.
I have fins that are almost neutrally bouyant & not until I switched to my bp/w have I had floaty feet in my ocean gear. It's nothing uncontrollable, but it's noticeable. Am I going to put on ankle weights? No. I am going switch my spring straps in for the old straps just to see if that helps (part of the problem is that my dryuit boots are too big for me & so are my fins.... so a cinching down that the spring straps can't provide may be necessary).
I think the problem with ankle weights, as has been mentioned, is that they're a crutch. People try them... they seem to help the problem (when they're only masking it) & they stick with them... dive after dive after dive. Divers need to be more willing to try out different configurations to find what works BEST for them. Not just what works well enough. It's great to have all your gear figured out & I can understand the mentality that doesn't want to mess with something that isn't broken... I was incredibly used to my old system. I'm still working hard to get everything adjusted on the new system, it's not like "home" yet as the old gear was... but I know this is better.
Um... so the moral of the story is: Change is good.
Or maybe... Floaty feet know no gender.
Or maybe... You're better off without the crutches
Or....
I have fins that are almost neutrally bouyant & not until I switched to my bp/w have I had floaty feet in my ocean gear. It's nothing uncontrollable, but it's noticeable. Am I going to put on ankle weights? No. I am going switch my spring straps in for the old straps just to see if that helps (part of the problem is that my dryuit boots are too big for me & so are my fins.... so a cinching down that the spring straps can't provide may be necessary).
I think the problem with ankle weights, as has been mentioned, is that they're a crutch. People try them... they seem to help the problem (when they're only masking it) & they stick with them... dive after dive after dive. Divers need to be more willing to try out different configurations to find what works BEST for them. Not just what works well enough. It's great to have all your gear figured out & I can understand the mentality that doesn't want to mess with something that isn't broken... I was incredibly used to my old system. I'm still working hard to get everything adjusted on the new system, it's not like "home" yet as the old gear was... but I know this is better.
Um... so the moral of the story is: Change is good.
Or maybe... Floaty feet know no gender.
Or maybe... You're better off without the crutches
Or....
scubagrrl
Guest
Kraken: They may not have been drawn up using them, but they do mention them, and say how much weight to use to compensate for them. And, at least for me, even the very heaviest number on the chart leaves me floundering at the surface. Just call me "Floater."The Kraken:
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