Is horizontal position really better?

[Lorenzoid]

I do believe there are posters here who are very militant about horizontal trim. I remember there was a thread here where folks were insisting on using ONLY their kidney dump, because they didnt want to break trim ... even for the 2 seconds to tilt up and dump using the elephant trunk?

However, I would say even the most extreme horizontal trim militant would allow a break in trim for exploring a wall, or looking up at a dolphin or whatever. It may not seem that way, because they are stressing the need for horizontal trim, but I would just assume they have that flexibility.

That's a fair point, but "militant" doesn't sound like the best choice of word to me. "Militant" sounds aggressive. Rather, WHEN I want to be in horizontal trim, I'm "meticulous" or something along those lines, about being in horizontal trim. I don't tilt up and use the corrugated hose dump but rather the rear dump. It MIGHT be fine under some circumstances to tilt up briefly and use the corrugated hose dump, but I'm afraid if I were to do it too much I would allow myself to get into a habit of doing so. As has been mentioned, when you're in horizontal trim there is often a reason, such as being close to a silty bottom or coral reef, and breaking trim might stir up the bottom or harm the reef. So I want my reflex or muscle memory to be to use the rear dump. For that reason, I make it a habit to always use the rear dump when I'm horizontal. But that's just me. If someone else is in blue water and wants to use their corrugated hose, who am I to object? I would only point out that one should be wary of allowing it to become a habit. Is that militant?

 

[The Chairman]

I believe that everyone can agree that you should be horizontal when swimming, or on top of a reef, surface, but other orientations are fine for other purposes. I dont see any controversy.

Everyone agrees, but not everyone can do that.

As for using the butt dump, it's easier a lot of the time to lift my fanny, especially if I'm looking downward at a critter. Somehow, I never use it when I'm bobbing at the surface.

 

[Chavodel8en]

Everyone agrees, but not everyone can do that.

I think this is where some of the miscommunication comes. Because there are so many 45 deg, roto-tilling divers out there, folks are insistent, "militant" even about being "perfectly horizontal" - with good reason...

I think some folks mis-read this insistence on "you must be 100% horizontal" as "you must be horizontal 100% of the time." I dont think anyone really insists you must be horizontal 100% of the time.

 

[The Chairman]

WHEN I want to be in horizontal trim, I'm "meticulous" or something along those lines, about being in horizontal trim.

Oh yeah, I'm a horizontal snob. I love to show off swimming backward and have been known to go supine and skim the bottom of a cave or ledge upside down. Try using the surface of a pool as your referent, while never touching it. It's fun, and I've only met one other person who could come close. I might be incredibly fat and ugly, but I am kinda graceful underwater. A former student told a soon-to-be student that my trim and propulsion class would result in her having "Snobbish amounts of Trim". Fun times.

Just don't expect me to come over to you and tell you how bad you are at Scuba if you kneel on the Reef. You'll have to ask me for my opinion. I won't scatter pearls before swine. I make it a habit to not give unsolicited advice.

I dont think anyone really insists you must be horizontal 100% of the time.

Not for a long, long time and a forum far, far away.

 

[Compressor]

Oh yeah, I'm a horizontal snob. I love to show off swimming backward and have been known to go supine and skim the bottom of a cave or ledge upside down. Try using the surface of a pool as your referent, while never touching it. It's fun, and I've only met one other person who could come close. I might be incredibly fat and ugly, but I am kinda graceful underwater. A former student told a soon-to-be student that my trim and propulsion class would result in her having "Snobbish amounts of Trim". Fun times.

Just don't expect me to come over to you and tell you how bad you are at Scuba if you kneel on the Reef. You'll have to ask me for my opinion. I won't scatter pearls before swine. I make it a habit to not give unsolicited advice.2@

@The Chairman Well stated. Everyone listen and learn.

 

[Lorenzoid]

I think some folks mis-read this insistence on "you must be 100% horizontal" as "you must be horizontal 100% of the time." I dont think anyone really insists you must be horizontal 100% of the time.

Yes, that's it (although again, "insists" grates on me as much as "militant"). Anyway, WHEN trying to be in horizontal trim, I "advise" to give it your best effort to be 100% horizontal. But really, the same could be said of other positions; when trying to be in some other position, give that your best effort to do correctly, too. Someone out there is able to do a REALLY good Buddha, I'm sure.

 

[rongoodman]

I do believe there are posters here who are very militant about horizontal trim. I remember there was a thread here where folks were insisting on using ONLY their kidney dump, because they didnt want to break trim ... even for the 2 seconds to tilt up and dump using the elephant trunk.

“Militancy” aside, why would you not use the kidney dump? I can’t think of a time I’ve ever felt the need to use the corrugated hose except on the surface.

 

[Lorenzoid]

I can’t think of a time I’ve ever felt the need to use the corrugated hose except on the surface.

Also when following an upwardly sloping bottom, or otherwise swimming in a head-up, feet-down attitude.

 

[Centrals]

I prefer to dump the gas with the power inflator.

 

[Celt]

I prefer to dump the gas with the power inflator.

Very important when dropping fins first down a hatch, if you don't get through you can get back out.