I keep tipping

[TiB]

whenever I practice my diving in class or when ever, I find it hard ot get control of myself sometimes. I keep tilting everywhere and I'm not sure why. When I'm at the surface with my BC inflated I tend to tilt forward and it's really annoying when you have to flail your arms around. Any tips? Is this a normal thing?

 

[matt_unique]

whenever I practice my diving in class or when ever, I find it hard ot get control of myself sometimes. I keep tilting everywhere and I'm not sure why. When I'm at the surface with my BC inflated I tend to tilt forward and it's really annoying when you have to flail your arms around. Any tips? Is this a normal thing?

Back inflate systems will tend to lean you forward on the surface. Just the slightest fin movement will keep you steady though. Most find it easier to swim on their back anyway at which point it is not a problem. You should not find yourself flailing.

When you are underwater. Use small bursts of air (for many safety reasons) but also to keep a close eye on your trim/buoyancy.

--Matt

 

[Wendy]

It sounds like you may be over filling your BC on the surface, causing it to push you forward. Only put in enough air to keep you above water and try leaning back a little.

 

[damsel]

whenever I practice my diving in class or when ever, I find it hard ot get control of myself sometimes. I keep tilting everywhere and I'm not sure why. When I'm at the surface with my BC inflated I tend to tilt forward and it's really annoying when you have to flail your arms around. Any tips? Is this a normal thing?

Are you using a back-inflate BC? Those can tend to incline your face forward until you get used to them. Try leaning back in the water a bit more and relaxing your body. It might take a little practise, but 'flailing your arms around' will only make you more unbalanced, and might make someone think you're in trouble, so just try and stay calm and focus your weight backwards. It should come with time. You might also try a jacket BC, just for comparison.

That said, check your weights, too. Is your belt slipping around? Are you properly weighted, and is that weight distributed evenly? Ask your instructor to double-check your weights, and play with the distribution. If you're also finding yourself listing to one side or the other when you're underwater, unbalanced weights might be to blame.

 

[RDP]

I had somewhat of a forward tilting problem when I changed to a weight integrated BC. A pair of ankle weights (3.3# per pair) helped.

 

[steeleflyn]

If you are just wanting to float, you might try to put both hands behind your head like you are streaching in a lounge chair.
This redistributes your weight so you wont tip forward.

 

[H2Andy]

i think your problem may also be trim. sounds like you are tilting underwater as well.

issues at the surface have been covered, so i'll stick to underwater:

get into a horizontal (on your tummy) position under water and clasp your hands.
breathe normally, and see what happens.

one of four things will probably happen:

your head will dip: this means you have too much weight forward of your center of gravity or cg)

your feet will dip: this means you have too much weight aft of your cg

you will roll to the left: too much weight on your left

you will roll to the right: too much weight on your right

also, you could experience a combo effect (such as rolling left and aft, or right and fore).

to eliminate left and right roll, reposition heavy items that may be dragging you in that direction, including evenly distributing your weight left and right. also, position items
as close to your cg as possible.

to eliminate up and down roll, you will need to re-distriubute weight along your
central axis. move the tank down or up, shift weights from your waist to BC pockets,
or to strap pockets, etc.

what you want to do is (1) identify which way you are rolling, and (2) move stuff
around, including your tank, to achieve flat trim.

hope this helps

 

[Quarrior]

H2Andy gave what I feel is a great reply for the underwater. One thing I noticed nobody mentioned about the forward tilt on the surface is what I feel to be the simplist fix.

Get a steel tank. Works wonders.

 

[TiB]

hehe, thank you everyone. I guessi should tell everyoen that I have a jacket BC with built in weight system. That ankle weight idea sounds like a good one. and H2Andy, thank you for the wonderful advice

 

[CAPX28]

just my opinion but the ankle weghts should be the last thing you try.
just makes it that much harder to kick, and you are just adding more weight over all.

I too had a slight tilt forward, and i just just had to adjust the tank a bit. Try moving weight arund first. I am sure it will work wonders. Just my opoinion though
PS: love my steel tanks