Difficulty balancing weight

[DLR06]

I'm new to diving and having trouble with balancing my weight. During certification I used belts, but I am a bigger guy and had trouble with belt slipping down. On my first dive since I tried weight intigrated, but I kept leaning forward and felt out of control. All quarry diving in central Illinois(7 mil suits). Any suggestions?





Thrilled to be diving

 

[spectrum]

Leaning forward... I assumne you mean head down/feet up as you were swimming horizontally.

1. Mount your tank as low as it will go, thjis will bias some weight to your feet.
2. Use no weight in any trim pockets you may have up thear the shoulder blades.

If 1 & 2 don't solve it consider a DUI Weight & Trim weight harness. They are like ditchable weight pockets on a suspender system and it's worn under the BC. It will allow you to wear the weight below your hips.

Pete

 

[DLR06]

Thanks for the info. I will give it a try.:14:

 

[AevnsGrandpa]

Just a little OT.

DLR, where are you in central IL??

See my location,

Jeff

 

[Damselfish]

what kind of BC are you using, jacket or back inflate? Are you having problems on the surface or underwater?

 

[DLR06]

Cerro Gordo, (13 miles east of Decatur)

 

[DLR06]

Jacket style(rental). I do struggle a little on the surface, but was more concerned with underwater. I know I will be in a more horizontal position while moving underwater, but I am a newbie and want to practice controlling bouyancy and hovering. I also just want to get comfortable in the water.



Thrilled to be diving!!!

 

[Damselfish]

Usually a jacket style will be pretty stable on the surface without any special attention, but if it doesn't fit all that well and shifts around (common for rentals) you won't feel stable there or underwater.

Otherwise weight distribution is key. If you have all your weight in integrated pockets in front (they're also usually a little bit out from your body) it can rotate you in a direction you don't want to go. Like spectrum says shifting the tank is an idea and the harness might work for you. Or it might help to put some weight in the BC and some on a belt but more towards the back. If the belt doesn't have all your weight maybe you'll have less of a slipping problem. And of course, make sure you have the proper amount of weight.

Remember a regular weight belt you may have to tighten as you get deeper and your suit compresses. This is true of some BCs too though some have elastic to compensate.

With some practice and experimentation you'll sort it out.

 

[DLR06]

Thanks, I can't wait to go try these out.

 

[tparrent]

I felt the same way as you DLR06 when I was taking my pool classes. I'm a big guy and I hated it when the belt started to slip. A suspenders type harness would certainly help but what I found solved the problem for me was a proper BC.

I bought a jacket style with integrated weights IN MY SIZE. I made sure that I could adjust the waist AND chest straps so the BC felt comfortably snug but not at all constricting. It made a HUGE difference for me. Bouyancy control was much easier because the BC felt like it was part of me rather than something I was struggling against. The integrated weights were heaven-sent. I wear light weights in the back shoulder pockets and heavier up-front. I can also add some more in the front pockets.

Having a proper BC also helps streamline you and that makes a big difference in so many ways.

Finally, when you don't worry about your BC and weights, you'll tend to be less fidgety overall and stillness is the key to good bouyancy control.

In my first couple open water cert dives, I was the Elevator Man. Now, just a few dives later, I can easily ascend and descend with breathe control. I also maintain a much better body position.

I ain't good yet but I sure am BETTER!

When trying on BC's for either purchase or rental, don't be satisfied when you think "I guess this will work" Wait until you say "This feels great!" It will change your whole experience.