Feet Heavy

[fmw625]

Last Weekend I dove in cold water for the first time 65 deg. Decided to use a 3 mil hood for the first time. Didn't add any weight. Had to exhale real hard to start down. Once I started down I could breathe normally. On this dive one of my objectives was to be able to hoover horizontally with no forward movement. In the past I have been feet heavy, so I raised my tank by about 2" and doned my BCD as low as possible. Still feet heavy. Had my dive buddy raise my tank a couple of times to the point that I was bumping my head on regulator. Still feet heavy. Tank up should shift center of gravity towards head and tank down should shift center of gravity towards feet. Trying to figure out what to do next. I'm 5' 7" 165# and dive with 4# in 3mm and AL80. I use an aqualung Mavrick BCD.

 

[pt40fathoms]

65 degree water is cold??????

Only 4 pounds of lead. Well try removing it from your waist or BCD and strap it to your tank just above the BCD tank strap.


Still getting used to someone saying that 65 degree water is cold....... :06:

 

[scubasean]

Where is the 4lb positioned? If its on your back, try shifting it towards your belt buckle...

 

[capelli]

when i wear a weight belt i have the same problem. if you are wearing a weight belt try moving weight off of your hips



derrick

 

[fmw625]

65 deg. is cold for us southern boys who dive in 80+ degree water usually.

My weights are 2 # in each integrated pocket as far to the front as they will go.

 

[RichLockyer]

Bend your knees.

If your tail is dropping, then bending your knees to bring your feet closer to your butt will move your CG forward and move your head down.

You SHOULD be feet-heavy if you are trying to maintain a horizontal hover with your legs stretched straight out.

The tank should be just high enough to allow you to reach the valve, but not so high that you are hitting the reg with your head.

 

[DandyDon]

Happens to me, too. Thanks for oepning this up, so I can learn as well.

A caution the others missed, though - if you're having a difficult time getting down, you are not going to be able to stay down for a safety stop with 500# left in your Al tanks. You're cutting it too close. I like to shed unneeded weight, but slightly heavy is better than not enough.

 

[RichLockyer]

You're cutting it too close. I like to shed unneeded weight, but slightly heavy is better than not enough.

Ditto.
Too many people (and instructors) get hung up on the whole "float at eye level with a normal breath" and forget that the text says to add another 5 to compensate for the buoyancy swing.

Somewhat forgiving this is the fact that, upon initial entry, the BC and suit will have some extra air trapped inside as well as clinging to the outside. THIS added buoyancy will be gone by the end of the dive.

Cutting weight is like the view from the edge of a cliff. Standing 6 feet back, you've got a good view, not the best, but are perfectly safe. Standing 6 inches back, you've got a great view, and are at little risk of falling.
Standing 1/2 inch too far forward, the view isn't THAT much better, and you're in deep doo-doo.
Trimming that last 2 pounds from the rig is not going to make a significant difference in trim, gas consumption, or drag... but it can be the difference between a comfortable and enjoyable safety stop and a fight to stay down.... even more important when you may have boats overhead.

 

[OE2X]

Bend your knees.

If your tail is dropping, then bending your knees to bring your feet closer to your butt will move your CG forward and move your head down.

You SHOULD be feet-heavy if you are trying to maintain a horizontal hover with your legs stretched straight out.

The tank should be just high enough to allow you to reach the valve, but not so high that you are hitting the reg with your head.

Rich is correct. The closer you move your feet towards your butt, the less likely you will be to go feet down. Use a frog kick in this position.
Here is a link to see it demonstrated in case you are not familiar with it.
http://www.5thd-x.com/index2.html
Click on "Learning Center" then scroll down for the frog kick for the video.

Dandy Don is right. You are underweighted with AL 80. See if you can stay horizontal with 500 psi at 15'.

 

[DementialFaith]

Just out of curiosity, do you use a back inflate/plate&wing or a jacket style bc?