diving with steel tank

[scubajohn921]

today was my first time diving with a Steel tank (HP80) and I am an NY newbie (10 dives) i really showed my inexperience today, totally overweighted l looked like the shape of the letter r, in the water, fins dragging on the ocean floor what the hell was i thinking?? (1st dive in 3 months, Im 200lbs diving wet, 7mm and 5mm vest) 28# on my belt and 8-10# ditchable, with a steel tank I was a rock!! I thought i was fine on the check at the start..weird.... and to add to that my new octo freeflowed lots, and then I was a complete air hog... but i guess its the best way to learn is to make the mistakes!! cant wait to get back in the water to correct this and get my confidence back, ok ill stop now thanks for listening

 

[H2Andy]

these are all teething problems you're going through... we've all been there in one
way or another

i think you've idenfified the key areas:

1. get weighted right
2. get trim working for you
3. that will help you with your bouyancy
5. which in turn will help your air consumption

 

[spectrum]

If you know your AL-80 weight for that configuration figure on 8 pounds less lead. That should be a very predicatble offset.

That's a very nice cylinder, we have 4 of the PST-E7-80s , assuming that's what you have.

I hope you didn't go too far with the freeflowing alternate, stuff like that can get out of control and cause a cascade fiasco.

Your BC may have been trapping air at the start of the dive, that can make you seem lighter than you are. The only true test is at the end of the dive sopping wet with 500 PSI.

As said, get the weight right then look at trim.

Pete

 

[scubadobadoo]

Good advice above scubajohn! Just be patient and go diving when you can. It will get better and easier to dive with a little time. Sometimes I look back on my start and wonder how I didn't kill myself, lol.

Welcome to scuba and to the scuba board! Where do you live in NY? I live in NYC and head over to Dutch frequently if you ever need a buddy. It's a great place take some time and really practice if you are close enough to it.

Also, fill out your profile so we can continue to offer more specific advice as needed. Congrats on you new C-card!