Floating face down

[kidspot]

While this does seem to be a problem for some, many of us (the majority???) never had an issue with it. Perhaps it body density distribution, overinflation, etc... I don't know but there's a good chance you'll not have any trouble at all - give it a try and post back what your findings are.

Aloha, Tim

 

[nuke]

I use a ScubaPro KnightHawk. The only time I had a problem with pitching forward was the first time I used it. I didn't have enough weight in the trim pockets and then proceeded to overinflate. Even then, I was able to right myself and got on my back.

Stupid Diver Tricks has an article about back inflation bc's and the myth of floating face down.
You can find it here: http://www.stupiddivertricks.com/equipment/0406/index.html

After using both a jacket style and back inflate I'll only use a jacket if the other option is to not go diving.

 

[CWMurf]

Does that leave mostly undumpable weight? Is that a concern to most?

1 - Yes it does.
2 - No it is not.

When I first switched to back inflate I had a problem keeping my face out of the water, even with just enough air to keep my head out of the water (with my chin still submerged actually). Then I figured out the whole trim thing. Now I can fully inflate at the surface if I want to, with no problems.

As far as ditching weight, if you are properly weighted you should be able to swim your rig up. Even if you had to ditch, when properly weighted you only need to loose a few pounds. Remember, once you ascend only a few feet the air in your wing and your suit will expand. If you aren't dumping to keep up with air expansion you will quickly become an uncontrolled ascent. Only in the most dire of circumstances should you ever need to take that chance.

After using both a jacket style and back inflate I'll only use a jacket if the other option is to not go diving.

I must agree!

 

[Ber Rabbit]

It's all about weight distribution. My Ladyhawk will rotate me forward on the surface with even a little air in it, which quite logically can happen when the flotation is behind you, simple physics. Leaning back doesn't help and I don't like floating on my back. I use the rear trim pockets or a weight on the tank strap to stay upright easily.

That's really interesting because when I put weight in the trim pockets the situation gets worse and I really have to work to get out of a face down position. I had to take all the weight out of the trim pockets to stop doing front flips.
Ber :lilbunny:

 

[Ber Rabbit]

I did find that arching my back a bit during the dive solved most of my problems. I must have been diving with my back rounded forward in the jacket and that just didn't work for me when I switched to the back inflate. I'm small and my Ladyhawk is an XS which is nice when I'm wearing a wetsuit but it's too small for the drysuit. The integrated weight pockets are too high, almost to my chest and that was causing some problems too. I switched back to the harness weightbelt and don't put any weight in the bc when diving dry and found that works better for me. If I buy another bc it will be a wing.
Ber :lilbunny:

 

[Mandy3206]

The only way that you can be sure of a face-up position at the surface is with a horse collar type bc, with a jacket style or back inflated bc the head may get in the water if the diver is unconcious, even the BCs state this fact in the attached label.

All that said, with proper trim you can achieve a balanced position at the surface, it may take a few tests, but once you dial it in the rest is just pleasure.

Me, I like to lay back on the BC at the surface and wait for the boat to pick me up, the captn of the boat nicknamed my wing "The Zodiak" due to this practice.

 

[wunat]

This is what I do:
1) Add place some weights on the tank cam strap.
2) Add a cotch strap
3) Only inflate as much as you need to stay at the surface comfortably.
4) Simply "belly up".

Just things many others do also.....................

 

[ShoalDiverSA]

I really did not experience this, although I was very paranoid about it on my first dive. You can read about my experience here.

Cheers,

Andrew

 

[scubamickey]

I want to reemphasize what has been said about dumpable weight. If you are weighted correctly you should be able to swim your rig to the surface. The last I would want to do is dump my weight at depth and rocket to the surface.
Practice your kick and make sure you are a strong enough swimmer to get yourself safely to the surface in the event of a BC failure.

That's what I'm working on since I'm not a strong swimmer.

 

[dvrliz1]

Diving Naked! Great idea...just be careful of any jelly fish....ouch!!!!!!

Liz