Floaty feet - bcd type?

[Peter_C]

Peter - my foot length toe to heel is 220mm - probably one of the causes of my issue!

Those are petite feet, and half the size of mine. Finding a small fin that fits is going to be very important for you.

I've actually always wanted jet fins, but had figured i wouldn't have the strength for them. I will try give them a shot after hearing they are easier than Quattro's. Thats if they come in size's small enough.

The trick with keeping your legs from cramping is to use a frog kick which most paddle fins do fantastically. It is a more relaxed way to scuba dive. You can watch youtube videos on frog kicking to see the proper form, if you are not already using the kick.

You are probably going to need to use the largest bootie you have.
Hollis Gear: F1 - "Bat Fin"
For Scubapro Jets a medium would probably fit. Know anyone with a pair you could try on? I am not even sure they make medium Jets anymore, but you should be able to find a used pair.

The DUI harness sounds interesting, also i might be able to shift more weight onto my existing belt and move it down a smidgeon.

Personally I am not a fan of the DUI Weight and Trim harness, having owned one. If a weight belt stays on that would be my preference.

Something has to work - I'm not giving up on cold water diving yet!

95% of my dives are cold water, and I still go back for more, so there must be something to see.

 

[MA]

TS&M - you have summed up the situation perfectly. The pearl is a hybrid, and the air does gather around the base, and only up into the back top when fully inflated. Rooster, thanks for questioning that too. This goes back to my original question - I'm wondering if a rear inflation BCD will help. I'm testing it on the weekend so i'll post an update here in case any others are having this problem.

Since i know how properly positioned diving should feel, i'm unwilling to put up with ankle weights, arching back (i did this, my back is still sore 3 days later) etc. The cold water diving is right on my back doorstep is pretty damn good, so i'd rather play around and spend more money on the right equipment now, so i can dive comfortably here forever. Drysuit is also an option i need to consider, but in summer here temps are often in the 30-35+ celcius range (land) so I prefer wet for now.

Peter - fins, generally most fins in the smallest size fit pretty well. Boots is my problem but about 7 years ago i found a tusa pair that fit like a glove. I'll see if i can try the jetfins from my LDS. But i am thinking another weight shift, and a different bcd might help. If not, then the fins. So many options to try! And yes i'm a frog-kick fan! I revert to flutter in currents. Cold water - my diving is not too cold in summer, but enough i prefer a 7mm, but the diving is cool - i'm not missing out! weedy seadragons, seahorses, smooth rays, sharks, stargazers, velvetfish, seals, the list goes on.

I'll update next week after diving this weekend. Thanks for your help all!

 

[fnfalman]

It sounds like the configuration of the whole rig needs to be examined and not just the fins. I have the Seawing Nova fins and they don't make my feet floaty.

 

[MA]

As you said it's the combination. In 5mm and less my seawings are for normal diving, although a fin pivot is impossible ( I had been assisting ow courses and could not demonstrate it).

The problems really surfaced once adding 7mm suit, 5mm boots and a steel 10L tanks. Now in deep water I'm still ok, but I do a lot of shallow pier diving so I'm trying to get my setup right for that. Fingers crossed a different bcd will assist! I love my novas so would like to go back to them.

 

[MA]

Well I had a play around today with gear. 1st change : rear inflation bcd (scubapro ladyhawk). And that was all I needed. I was hanging there horizontal like a plank!!! I could not believe the difference it felt great! So I've now got one on order. Time to sell my hybrid.

Thanks for all your advice everyone!!

Very happy cold water diver