Help with BC blues (vest and aluminum 80)

[Central Fla]

I'm beginning to have dislikes with the BC that i bought, it's a typical vest BC with rear weight pouches and integrated front weights. Maybe someone can help me overcome some minor annoyances. I am thinking an old weight belt setup might be better than the new stuff, what do ya think.

1. Even with rear pouches weighted, being on the surface is annoying as the BC wants to push my face down/forward constantly. I am on the fat side (yes I am working on it) so I must use a lot of weight situated in the integrated weight pouches. Maybe if I can get the tank up higher it would provide more rear weight and less rear bouyancy when I am surfaced ??

2. I can not think of any way to dry my gear other than disassemble the pouches completely and let them air dry turning the shot bags many times to get them dry, the noise from the clothes dryer was a dead giveaway My guess is that it just has to be disassembled.

3. I can't seem to get the strap tight enough around the tank, I am pulling on the thing hard before I lock it down and the tank always ends up lower than when I started.

Any advice anyone has will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Bobbin-along]

First of all...

Which BC
How much weight in front pockets, how much in back

Those couple of things can help us troubleshoot some of your frustrations as the type of bc gives us an idea what tank strap and how much weight can be distributed where.

Drying it.... yeah bud you gotta take it apart to get it dry quickly

 

[DiverLaura]

wet the cam strap before you lock it down... water + nylon webbing = stretch...

 

[Scubakevdm]

Are you sure you have the tank strap threaded correctly? I'm sorry, but I can't think of an easy way to explain the correct path... but maybe you could show it to someone and have them check it out.
The trim (rear) pouches aren't designed to counter the weight of the integrated weight on the surface, they are intendended to allow you to shift weight to balance your head and feet if you are horizontal in the water, or "trim" yourself.
Try this the nxt time you dive:
Descend and make yourself neutrally buoyant.
Orientate yourself in a face-down, horizontal position.
Don't move. Don't kick, don't scull your hands, don't do anything.
If you pop a wheelie, move some of the weight from the front pouches to the rear ones. If you do a face-plant, move weight from the rear to the front.
I have a feeling that you might be overweighted as well, though I can't really tell unless I see you in the water.
Also, if you actually need more weight in the rear pockets than they will accomodate, you can wrap an ankle weight or two around your tank valve, or attach weight by some other means. If you want to come down to West Palm, I'm happy to jump in with you up at the bridge and give you a hand.

 

[Central Fla]

Thanks for the help, Seaquest pro QD, 80 aluminum, two 3 lb blocks in rear, 11L and 11R upfront, took the stuff out to trim it the other day and sank rather slow without any air in BC, one or two bumps on the bc and I was nuetral ( the bummer is it was fresh water and I am probably going to have to add 4 for salt), no tipping either way, level ascent level descent. As for the rigging I have to admit I left the LDS and did not check the rigging but probably should have. I will break out the book and double check that. One problem might be that the strap was in the same spot so long it is bent in that spot and getting it past a small amount is troublesome, In rinsing the gear I did remember to move the strap past that point hoping it would eventually relax. If I can get the tank higher, the amount of tank out of the water on the surface should become weight and not bouyancy, How high do your tanks ride in the backplate?? This aluminum 80 is also very shiny and very smooth, that has to add a little to the problem wouldn't you think??

Thanks for the help.

 

[underboats]

Just a suggestion...When you clamp down the tank use the strap to set the clamp not the clamp itself. Pull the strap tight then use it (the strap)to knuckle over the clamp. When setting the clamp you should never have to actually touch it. Try this a few times and you will see what I am trying to explain. It will be tighten than you actually want it without much effort. As for people who have a few pounds try using a normal weight belt in combination with your BC. Just put a few pounds on it with weights you can slide around to adjust trim. Good luck!! Also the trim part usually becomes less of a problem when you get used to your new gear. Good luck, Chuck

 

[spectrum]

1. My wife had a similar issue with weight distribution until a buddy suggested she try the DUI Weight and Trim II that I use with my drysuit. The DUI positioned her weight hurther back on her hips and workes great with her DIVA LX that has a wing that tried to face plant her when she wanted significant surface lift. Personally I have not had weight in my integrated pouches in nearly 100 dives. I use the trim weight positions out back and a belt. Feel free to not use the ditchables in your BC. With a lot of weight it makes the BC to darned heavy anyhow.

2. For a good cleaning taking it apart is the answer. Soft weights dry well on an old refigerator shel propped up off the floor. More on cleaning the BC: http://home.gwi.net/~spectrum/scuba_love.html#Buoyancy Compensator

3. Wetting the strap is a good start. Adding any weight to the BC after mounting to the tank will also make it more manageable. We punch the strap to cinch it before deftly slipping it through the final slot and camming it over. I usually have my knee against the right side of the cylinder/strap while getting the buckle cinched over towards the left side of the cylinder. You want a nice ping sound or at least an agressive thud.

Be patient with yourself and you gear as you learn these routines and master the little tricks that will bring it all together. Every diver/gear combo will be unique to some extent.

Pete

 

[Loneranger]

Sounds like some more weight could be distributed to the rear pouches to balance things out. Lots of good suggestions already made to help with the tank strap. Good luck.

 

[snepdiver]

I have the same bc and had the same concern. What I was told to do then got in the habit of doing was to almos lie on my back before I began to inflate the bc and this helped a lot. I also moved my weight around before I tried this. Any way, That is what worked for me.

 

[Central Fla]

thanks for the help folks, I will try all your suggestions, as far as tightening the tank strap it takes all the body parts I have as the BC wants to spin around the tank. I shall take my time and be patient and use your suggestions. I was just a little disappointed in a new product with so many issues. The tank strap was properly rigged, it is stiff and won't tighten well, then again it wasnt wet. I just dont understand having such an issue when simple engineering could have eliminated such problems. It's possible I am wrong and just expect to much.