boat sju
Contributor
Try one of these up around your tank valve. SB'ers seem to hate this idea but it can work wonders since it adds just a touch of weight about as high up on your body as you can go. PRO Ankle Weights
Heavy legs. Suggestions?
- Thread starter Roberto Inzerillo
- Start date
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OP
Roberto Inzerillo
Contributor
Did that today, 2Kg on the shoulders (not very elegant but it worked), placed the tank a bit higher (maybe too much) and had Apeks RK3 (not the HD ones) at my feet. Well ... the trim changed, a lot!! I have to fine tune it now.
Sadly enough we experienced an exceptionally strong current and could'nt even try to hover for a sec :-(
But I was happy to see how much the trim changed, even too much. I guess I'll place 1Kg only on my shoulders and bring back the tank a bit next time
OP
Roberto Inzerillo
Contributor
Yes, it's weird; makes me wonder ...
OP
Roberto Inzerillo
Contributor
halocline
Contributor
If you are a new diver, it's possible that your trim will improve quite a bit with practice even without making any changes in your weight distribution. In general, though, the more you distribute weight higher up on your back or torso, the more 'head down' your trim will be.
You should try a few exercises in the water before you purchase any new gear. You need a patient buddy, a few small weights (maybe they have 1kg weights where you live?) and some very calm still water. Anyhow, get in the water and hover. It can be helpful to have a guideline to hover next to; it gives you a good point of reference, but it's not necessary.
Anyhow, get in a good neutral hovering position and try to be as still as you can while perfectly horizontal, with your legs slightly bent and your feet slightly higher than your torso. If holding that position causes your feet to sink such that you would eventually end up upright, then try holding a weight in your hands (you might need to add a bit of air to your BC or go just a bit shallower) and you can even experiment with holding your hand out more in front of you with the weight. If that fixes your problem, you just need to move weight higher. You won't hurt the cam band on your BC by putting weight on it.
Someone who is diving with as much weight as you are and is foot-heavy would probably benefit greatly from a steel backplate. I realize someone else recommended that and you don't want to buy one right now. That's fine, just understand that the reason it is helpful is because it puts 6 lbs (2.5kg) right up on your back between the air cell and your lungs. This is an advantage for holding horizontal trim. You can approximate the effect by putting weight on your cam bands; it's best to put one on each side of the tank close to your back.
Dialing in excellent trim is part gear and a big part technique; it takes lots of practice.
You should try a few exercises in the water before you purchase any new gear. You need a patient buddy, a few small weights (maybe they have 1kg weights where you live?) and some very calm still water. Anyhow, get in the water and hover. It can be helpful to have a guideline to hover next to; it gives you a good point of reference, but it's not necessary.
Anyhow, get in a good neutral hovering position and try to be as still as you can while perfectly horizontal, with your legs slightly bent and your feet slightly higher than your torso. If holding that position causes your feet to sink such that you would eventually end up upright, then try holding a weight in your hands (you might need to add a bit of air to your BC or go just a bit shallower) and you can even experiment with holding your hand out more in front of you with the weight. If that fixes your problem, you just need to move weight higher. You won't hurt the cam band on your BC by putting weight on it.
Someone who is diving with as much weight as you are and is foot-heavy would probably benefit greatly from a steel backplate. I realize someone else recommended that and you don't want to buy one right now. That's fine, just understand that the reason it is helpful is because it puts 6 lbs (2.5kg) right up on your back between the air cell and your lungs. This is an advantage for holding horizontal trim. You can approximate the effect by putting weight on your cam bands; it's best to put one on each side of the tank close to your back.
Dialing in excellent trim is part gear and a big part technique; it takes lots of practice.
OP
Roberto Inzerillo
Contributor
I've been told, I'm shure it will. I've been thought a few exercises/movements/positions I should practice ... I just need to make those adjustments become second nature (which they're not at the moment).
Patient buddy: there are a couple friends who fit the description (and did help a lot!) but they left for winter. Looking for a substitute
Small weights: to be clear, I meant two 1Kg weights, one on each shoulder. I'm willing to buy two 0.5Kg weight now (hard to find at local dealers), since I think it will be enough and easyer to calibrate.
Calm water: I'm confident I will get that next time.
I totally agree and will eventually buy a BP/W (which I find so much cooler than the jacket
) in the future.I think I prefer to put them on my chest. It feels more stable.
I'm all in for practicing
being underwater is so much fun anyway!
The "heavy legs" problem did improve substantially when I swapped my Scubapro Jetfins for a pair of Rondine Gara. They are much lighter, thanks to the thin plastic interchangeable blades...
Of course the kicking style must be significantly modified. But in the long term I did find that using long freediving fins, of proper rigidity for my legs, improves efficiency and provide some additional safety in case of strong currents or if I ever need to make a CESA...
I was forced to change fins when I started working at Maldives as divemaster and instructor. In that environment the Jetfins were simply the wrong choice...
After years using them, I got so used that I continued using them also here in the Mediterranean, in lakes, in rivers, inside caves, etc.
They also require to change your trim, as you cannot use them if you keep your legs angled at 90-degrees at knees.
For me it was a return to origins, as when I was very young I started as a free diver, and moved to scuba diving only later.
And it was the starting point for revising all my equipment: wanting to "feel" as a freediver required to minimize friction, so instead of a large jacket BCD I switched to a minimal back-inflating wing (which is kept empty most of the time), with very adherent harness attached directly to a light plastic backplate. I got rid of any pockets, bags, nets, I changed my diving suit with a super-stretchy, low friction free diving suit, etc.
Being able to move in water with much less friction gives you a sense of freedom which makes diving much more enjoyable. Other divers instead continue adding more and more equipment, attaching it to D-rings, to the point that they look to me as Christmas trees...
Of course the kicking style must be significantly modified. But in the long term I did find that using long freediving fins, of proper rigidity for my legs, improves efficiency and provide some additional safety in case of strong currents or if I ever need to make a CESA...
I was forced to change fins when I started working at Maldives as divemaster and instructor. In that environment the Jetfins were simply the wrong choice...
After years using them, I got so used that I continued using them also here in the Mediterranean, in lakes, in rivers, inside caves, etc.
They also require to change your trim, as you cannot use them if you keep your legs angled at 90-degrees at knees.
For me it was a return to origins, as when I was very young I started as a free diver, and moved to scuba diving only later.
And it was the starting point for revising all my equipment: wanting to "feel" as a freediver required to minimize friction, so instead of a large jacket BCD I switched to a minimal back-inflating wing (which is kept empty most of the time), with very adherent harness attached directly to a light plastic backplate. I got rid of any pockets, bags, nets, I changed my diving suit with a super-stretchy, low friction free diving suit, etc.
Being able to move in water with much less friction gives you a sense of freedom which makes diving much more enjoyable. Other divers instead continue adding more and more equipment, attaching it to D-rings, to the point that they look to me as Christmas trees...
I see from reading the thread that you are getting sorted out without any help from me and that is just fine! I'm pleased for you.
In your photo of your weightbelt, the weights were evenly spaced all around the belt and so when donned, some are on your back. All I meant was to split the weights on your belt and put half of them closer together on the left side of your belt so as to have them ride on the left side of your body and then do the same for the right side, which would hopefully result in no weights on your back.
If you were to have more weight forward of your centre of gravity, your upward body will be lower, ergo your feet should be riding higher, thus bringing you more horizontal in the water.
As I said, it was just a thought and others have given you great workable ideas.
ginti
Contributor
Btw I have, I have mixed feelings about you after reading that!!!
just to reassure you, about the diving centre I suggested you... people there call them "arancine"
Sticking to the topic, I read that you are interested in BP/W. If you haven't tried it yet, I think you can rent one at Capo Murro, just to see the difference before to purchase one; especially if you have some difficulties with trim, it really makes sense to rent it for a dive together with an instructor.
P.S. I am not sure how easy is to find other diving centres used to BP/W in Sicily; if you know others, I am interested in knowing them, many thanks!
OP
Roberto Inzerillo
Contributor
I'm going to like them alreadyjust to reassure you, about the diving centre I suggested you... people there call them "arancine"
I already thought about that. I will definitely try one myself waaaay before buying it.
I don't know any that rents this gear but there are of course a few instructors/guides that use it by default ... if memory serves me right, Freedivers in Trapani (Stefano Ravalli) and Blunauta in Trapani (Mauro Alioto) for example.
Will let you know.
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