Finally found the right amount of weight needed to sink BUT ....

[Progen]

Used to use about 3 odd kg in freshwater so put on 4kg for starters in seawater. In freshwater, I can get a nice horizontal trim and hover comfortably with that 3 odd kg. THEN came the Peak Performance Buoyancy part and in the end, I found out that I only needed 2kg in seawater. What a BIG difference it made. I couldn't get that nice horizontal trim with just 1kg on each side of my waist anymore but I guess that was just a weight distribution problem.

Anyway, the funny thing was theoretically, we should add about 2kg to compensate for the loss in weight as we use up the air so when I arrived at the 2kg mark during the Peak Performance Buoyancy session, I should have gone back to 4kg as a theoretical optimal weight BUT with just 2kg, although I really had to work to get every single bit of air out from the aircell at the surface before I'd sink, I was still very nice and stable at the 5 metre safety stop regardless of how much air I had in my tank.

I also didn't need to fin myself up. Just took a deep breath, floated up a bit, exhaled, then another deep breath, .......... Same when ending the safety stop to the surface. No finning whatsoever or air release from around the 15 - 16 metre mark to the surface.

 

[261311]

Are you not using a buoyancy compensator? To my knowledge most standard 80cft tanks need 2-4 lbs just to stay down when empty. Add an extra 2lbs if it helps you control your buoyancy better- I'm of the personal opinion that being able to go up is just as important as being able to descend with comfort and ease. Not suggesting you lay 30lbs of lead on your belt, just have a small amount of faith in your BC if you're having a bit of issues not having enough weight during certain points of the dive.

PS: You should be able to descend easier at the beginning of a dive instead of the end. Your tank is heavier, plus you're carrying enough weight to keep it down once it's empty. The story may be written a bit odd?

 

[flots am]

Used to use about 3 odd kg in freshwater so put on 4kg for starters in seawater. In freshwater, I can get a nice horizontal trim and hover comfortably with that 3 odd kg. THEN came the Peak Performance Buoyancy part and in the end, I found out that I only needed 2kg in seawater. What a BIG difference it made. I couldn't get that nice horizontal trim with just 1kg on each side of my waist anymore but I guess that was just a weight distribution problem.

Anyway, the funny thing was theoretically, we should add about 2kg to compensate for the loss in weight as we use up the air so when I arrived at the 2kg mark during the Peak Performance Buoyancy session, I should have gone back to 4kg as a theoretical optimal weight BUT with just 2kg, although I really had to work to get every single bit of air out from the aircell at the surface before I'd sink, I was still very nice and stable at the 5 metre safety stop regardless of how much air I had in my tank.

If you can hold a safety stop with an almost empty tank and an empty BC, then you're weighted correctly.

The actual number of pounds or Kg doesn't really matter. The right amount is "just enough".

flots.

 

[Progen]

If you can hold a safety stop with an almost empty tank and an empty BC, then you're weighted correctly.

The actual number of pounds or Kg doesn't really matter. The right amount is "just enough".

flots.

I'm sure there's an even better combination if I took the time to experiment a bit although it's difficult getting access to suitable seawater sites where I am due to the long travelling time.

Anyway, another funny thing is that I don't have to release air when ascending and I don't have any problems hovering at the safety stop although once I intentionally take a good breath at the 5 metre mark, I'll ascend quickly enough to the surface.

 

[TSandM]

It's lovely to be properly weighted, isn't it? Makes everything so much easier and more elegant . . .

That said, I don't parse my weights quite that closely. In your case, I would put the extra kg back on, just so I wouldn't have to work QUITE so hard to get all the gas out of my wing at the end of the dive, and so I could take the odd deep breath without corking. But if you are happy where you are, that's great!

 

[Progen]

I was thinking of putting a few hundred grams into each trim pocket on either side of the tank to make it effortless to get into truly horizontal trim and perhaps that will help me sink easier.

TSandM, I think you've gotten me wrong. With just 2kg, I need to work hard to get the air out completely at the BEGINNING of the dive for me to sink BUT I don't need to release air when ascending and I can still hover at the safety stop with totally zero leg or hand movement.

 

[TSandM]

Yes, I did misunderstand. I thought you were saying you had to work hard to get the air out to hold the safety stop.

 

[Progen]

I think I've managed to find out what was wrong. Or right.

I'm slightly negatively buoyant in fresh water which is why I can go down without weights with an AL80 and even when it's down to almost completely zero, I still have no worries about uncontrolled / unwanted ascents.

 

[Dive Raja Ampat]

As a instructor I like to have a little extra in case I need to pass one to someone who is too light.

For the balance question I sometimes put the 3rd weight on the tank gives me a nice arched back and I am not carrying everything on my lower back.

At the end of the day it is what makes you comfortable and able to position yourself where you want to be in the water column.