Floating Feet

[PhotoTJ]

The thing is, everyone's 'natural trim' is different. I'm 6'3" 195, and my feet sink like a stone. I'm talking in a pool with just a swimsuit, I have never been able to float on my back, because my legs go down like the Titanic. On the other hand, I have friends that freak out at this, because they are so bouyant they almost can't break the surface tension.

Check yourself in a pool with just a suit, and you'll find your natural trim, and be able to adjust your gear accordingly.

Just a thought.

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

PhotoTJ once bubbled...
Check yourself in a pool with just a suit, and you'll find your natural trim, and be able to adjust your gear accordingly.

Just a thought.

Excellent advice! Instead of guessing what may be the problem, figure it out!

 

[artist]

I did an unscientific test in a pool today. With just my suit on my legs float very easily at the surface. My fins gently sink when placed in the water. When I put on my boots and fins and go down, my feet float. I can feel the air and water moving around inside the boots. I didn't wear extra socks inside the boots today to take up any of the extra room.

All said, I think that the booties appear to be the problem. Unfortunately none of the local dive shops have any other alternative booties in my size, but I will keep my eyes open. In the meantime I will stick with my ankle weights. Now that I own my own weights, I am going to play around and see how little I can really get away with.

At least I now know that I am not alone in this problem. Thanks for all the suggestions and I am off to find Lead booties (just kidding)

 

[pipedope]

You might try a custom wetsuit maker to get booties that fit.

The alternative of filling the extra space in the booties with water when you put them is helpfull but makes for sloshy, uncomfortable walking before the dive.

You can get lead shoes of steel toe boots from a commercial dive supply shop. I don't suggest these for scuba as they are much better suited to stomping around on the bottom making a mess and getting work done, than swiming around looking at the cool stuff.

 

[LilJoRt6]

hi Julie! I always wear ankle weights--1.5 lbs apiece. Like you, I can't seem to desend well without them(wet suit wearer). They don't impede me on land or boat at all. If you continue to use them --I'm sure you'll get used to them in no time.

 

[PhotoTJ]

I just looked at your profile photo, that's an...interesting...gear configuration.

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

Actually its very light- notice I don't even have a weight belt!
It is a little tough using both the snorkel and reg at the same time tho!

 

[Wild Woman]

I especially liked the way your wet suit fits. Having a bit of trouble finding one that's just right, yours looks like it would work for a wide range of ladies!!

 

[nocalparrothead]

Jenny -

Have you thought of/tried kids size booties? I would think they would come in sizes slightly smaller than adult sizes. I too am having trouble with booties that fit, but just because my feet are not exactly the same size. Good luck!

 

[artist]

ok... I didn't really solve my problem, but have found ways around it.

I had a surprise trip to Hawaii and arranged for a private AOW class with my dh. The instructor spent our first tank working on our bouancy and my floating feet. After evaluating my trim while swimming, it was only slightly head down and suggested we try some things with and without the weights. My other problem was decending and safety stops.

I have determined that if I have trouble decending feet down, I just switch to head down and have no problem. I NEVER thought I would be able to do that.

At the safety stop, if my feet don't want to stay down, I just go horizontal or my horizontal with slight feet up position and have no problem.

I am still looking for smaller booties, but am not holding my breath.

I am now more comfortable with my skills and options. I haven't ruled out ankle weights when I get in my 7mm instead of the Hawaii 3mm but I like knowing that I may be able to avoid them.

-julie