Heavy Fin Problems

[Cave Monster]

Have you tryed a little trim weight closer to your shoulders?

 

[Meng_Tze]

I find it very interesting your ability to argue your point with DAN and a physiologist, and discount all options save your own.

Go figure, live and let live.......

I think there is a comprehension issue. At no point did I discount anything. Actually I believe I confirmed your stance in post 26......

 

[dumpsterDiver]

Have you tryed a little trim weight closer to your shoulders?

I'm not a cave diver, but when I wear a 7 mm jacket, 7 mm FJ pants 3 mm hooded vest and 5 mm hood over top, my chest gets very bouyant. I don't dive in water cold enough to wear that much suit very often, but I found the best place for two, 2-lb weights was on the front of my shoulder straps. I think I also had a 2-3 lb lead shot ankle weight around the tank valve too.

Why do we not see people recommending a shoulder weight configuration? If you want to maintain a horizontal, face down position, you want ballast arranged like a keel on the lowest portion of your body, not in a back plate that is unstable and tends to roll you on your back when you roll side to side.

 

[Diver Lori]

I think there is a comprehension issue. At no point did I discount anything. Actually I believe I confirmed your stance in post 26......

Re-read post 26, and I don't see it that you confirmed, but that's quite alright. Not an issue.

 

[Mark Michaud SELAUSAR]

When I first started diving dry I used gaiters, but over time I sold them as I did not need them anymore. I used to place ankle weights on my tank neck. We used to use drop weights (Eduardo at Vortex still does), ankle weights, and other things to help. The dive rites may do what you need. Other options are, to buy, neoprene wraps, like knee wraps, and put them on your ankles until your skills catch up. This will lighten your feet and allow you to focus on other issues. That is my biggest reason for a neoprene drysuit. My legs are muscular and a shell suit makes me very feet heavy in sidemount. Most likely it is a skill issue that will resolve itself with mentors, instructors, practice and time. Using little tools like this can lessen the taskloading until you perfect the skills. I also bend my knees and mentally make myself adjust my trim. Alot of it is mental because you, not necessarily your gear, causes you to dive the way you dive. But, tech diving tasks loads you alot from the get go and there is a lot to manage at one time. Little "cheats" can be helpful until you can process all of the stuff you learn into second nature. We all "cheat" a bit by changing fins with outfits, backplates with tanks and outfits, more weight, less weight, etc. Extra neoprene on the calf / ankle area may be just the fix. Remember, it is your gear, make it work for you. Mark

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Glen,

I have a feeling you'll see a big improvement in your trim when you double up your 108s, the additional tank/manifold/reg will put more weight towards the front of your body, and will likely counter your legs/feet. You may not have a trim problem at all once you get that extra tank on your back.

Maybe consider lighter fins for your single tank configuration, but I'd try the doubles setup first before ditching your existing fins.

 

[John_B]

Same problem for me and OMS Slipstreams solved the problem. Obviously do not use the "spring straps".

Why on earth not? They don't add much weight and it makes it easier to get your fins on and off (no matter what type of fins you use).

 

[GLENFWB]

I agree...I am going to double the tanks up and test things from there. I am going to see if Ed has some fins I can try this weekend while we are at JB. I thought about putting the doubles together for this weekend, but decided I better not rush things. I will need to figure out my wing and get another valve for my tank. Plus I am still waiting on the part to switch my regulator to DIN.

Glen,

I have a feeling you'll see a big improvement in your trim when you double up your 108s, the additional tank/manifold/reg will put more weight towards the front of your body, and will likely counter your legs/feet. You may not have a trim problem at all once you get that extra tank on your back.

Maybe consider lighter fins for your single tank configuration, but I'd try the doubles setup first before ditching your existing fins.

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

I'll bring you my Classic Wing this weekend, I won't need it anytime soon.

 

[Scubastud16]

I'm going to be doing my first doubles dive in January. I needed heavy fins for diving, singles, we'll see how I do in doubles! Let me know how this works out for ya!