Gear question -- ankle weights

[BioLogic]

Hi folks! I'm a new diver (just broke double digits on number of dives), and I've got an issue I'd like some input on.

When my tank is half full or better, I don't have any trouble hovering in a nice horizontal position. (No trouble other than not being smooth at adjusting to hold depth yet - I'm working on that.) The problem comes when I get down towards the low end of my air, say 1200 psi. I can still manage depth ok, but my trim totally stinks. Specifically, I can stay horizontal by moving forward, but if I stop, my head stays down and my feet go up, like one of those filefish. While this may be entertaining for anyone watching, I'm thinking I need a weight redistribution.

My instructor thinks standard ankle weights would be overkill, and after he showed me a pair I agreed... I'm not a big woman and that much weight on the end of the lever arm of my whole legs looks like a lot. He thinks some home-engineered anklet that had less weight but a quick release for safety's sake might be the ticket. As I've bought the rest of my gear already, that sounds reasonable to me.

Does anyone know of a place to get weenie little ankle weights, or have had to do such a manufacturing job for a safe pair of home made ones?

Thanks,

Jeanne

 

[Doc]

Tried moving the tank lower in your BC? Try about 2" to start. See what happens.

Your tank is obviously becoming more buoyant as it is emptied out. Even though the heaviest part of the tank is the bottom, when particularly under-tall people (vertically challenged) use Alu 80's- this is a common effect. Thus- try a short 63 tank instead?

 

[rawls]

BioLogic....

This a common problem with divers. Try adding 2 or 3 lbs to your weight belt...or integrated to adjust for the lower pressure. You may have to play with the weighting until you get it right. If you were consistently having problems with being foot-up I would say go with the ankle weights but that doesn't seem to be your problem, so play around with the extra weighting until you get what you need and hopefully that will take care of your problem...

There are others who will no doubt read this post and offer other suggestions. Just go with what ends up working for you. Whatever suggestions you choose I'm sure you will get things taken care of...

 

[NudeDiver]

You could also try a BC with trim weight pockets.

 

[RJP]

Ankle weights aren't gear.

Move your tank and your other weight around.

PS - try moving the tank DOWN, not up, if you are going head-down.

 

[redacted]

Shift the tank around but also look at your fins. Are they floaters or sinkers? Adding spring straps to your fins would give then a little less buoyancy and give you straps that should never fail.

 

[Far_X]

I would consider ankle weights as a last resort. Undoubtedly many people use them to solve their feet up problem but I think hides the true problem - a lack of trim. If you are diving are are in a horizontal position, the amount of gas in your tank should not have any affect on where your legs are. Try diving with your arms in front of you and use your hips as a fulcrum. If you want to look upwards, raise your arms and you will find your legs naturally move downwards. If you want to look sideways rotate your whole body so you face to the side. Using this approach, visualising a steel rod down your back so you cannot bend, you will find you can comfortably, with ease, position your body anyway you want and you'll find yourself never thinking about ankle weights again except when reading some other thread on here.

 

[Sas]

Ankle weights aren't gear.

And why not?

So many people bag out ankle weights and say to get negative fins instead. I never understand what the big difference is between using heavy fins and ankle weights. Some people I know glue weights to their fins and few seem to have any issue with that I have positive fins and wear ankle weights as I cannot keep my feet down otherwise (despite trying multiple different gear configurations). Well actually, I can keep my feet down if i I swim around vertical but do not find that an ideal position to dive in Sometimes they still float up in that position though. With ankle weights I find it easy to stay horizontal and hover without finning at all. I am planning on getting new negative fins next month as I hate my current fins, which will remove my need to wear ankle weights (already tried it out) but hmm what does one do in the mean time when they have positive fins and very floaty feet? New fins aren't cheap...

BioLogic, try out all the suggestions here but if you can't solve the issue without ankle weights, just wear them and ignore people who tell you it is a crutch To each their own.

 

[shoturtle]

try trimming the BC and the tank. I am not a fan of put weights on the ankles. Your legs are what drives you while diving. It is like add weight to the wheels of a car. The heavy the wheel, the more the engine has to work to move the wheel. The more weight you add to you legs, the more energy you will you to move yourself underwater, and the more air you will use. And it will make the problem appear quicker.

Get a tank strap and some weight pocket and move the trim weight to the lower portion of the tank.

 

[dive pro]

Hola from Cancun
You do not mention if you were wearing a weight belt or if it was integrated system, there are bcds that have back pockets to distribute the weight, also something I do when my students are having that problem is to put an extra weight on the back of the tank on the strap. If you are wearing dive boots and they are way thick maybe think of the ankle weight but not until you try to control your breathing, as mentioned before the tank being emptier will get you up I think you do not need the ankle weight but weight distribution or a thinner pair of boots maybe neoprene socks.
Hope this helps