Leg Floatation Devices

[tfsails]

My legs are so negatively buoyant that every time I stop finning I slowly drift to the vertical position. I would dearly love to be able to hover in the water in the attitude of my choosing.

I've given some thought to what I could do to make my legs more buoyant, and came up with leg gaiters made from 7mm neoprene and velcro. Trouble is, I have no idea where to get some neoprene.

Anybody have any ideas on where I can get some neoprene sheets?

 

[Teamcasa]

Here is the stock answer:
Your trim needs to be moved higher on your body.
I’ll assume you dive a drysuit? Do you use a lot of lead? Conventional jacket BC? Other gear configurations?

 

[SparticleBrane]

Get us some video of you diving, if possible. This sounds like a technique issue rather than an equipment issue...

 

[tfsails]

Have a Zeagle 911 (older one) with trim pockets on the upper tank strap. I've tried using as much as 10# of trim up there but that much weight has its own drawbacks by making me a tad unstable in roll.

I don't use a dry suit, and I have this problem with all three of my wetsuits (3, 5, 7). I don't use a whole lot of weights; just the minimum to get me down considering suit/tank combinations. This is not a serious problem, but at times I'd really like to just hover there and not worry about drifting to the vertical position.

Weight distribution is not the issue, nor is technique. Having legs that are neutrally buoyant is. When I was young and skinny I was a sinker. Now that I'm old and fairly plump (beer belly) I'm just barely a floater, but the legs are still lean, which means they sink. I need leg floatation.

 

[Damselfish]

Welcome To Seattle Fabrics. We offer marine fabrics and outdoor fabrics such as Neoprene, lycra, sunbrella and more!, Foam Mattress Pads Memory Foam Platform Beds & More
I've bought from the first, not the second.
of course like anything else neoprene it's gonna squish and not be as floaty at depth...

Are your fins negative?

 

[Teamcasa]

...Weight distribution is not the issue, nor is technique. Having legs that are neutrally buoyant is. When I was young and skinny I was a sinker. Now that I'm old and fairly plump (beer belly) I'm just barely a floater, but the legs are still lean, which means they sink. I need leg floatation.

Maybe you are right. I'll chance one more question.
Tank position. I’ve seen divers where the tank was so low on their back they could never hover in good trim. Can you reach your valve(s)?

 

[mruseless]

I've been fighting that same battle. I've got a few more things to try, including more buoyant booties. Shifting the tank upward by about 2 inches really helps too. I've been using a vest-style BCD, and I tried a back-inflation type, that helps too, but I'm still a little leg heavy. Saving my money for a Zeagle Stiletto.

 

[captain]

What fins are you using. Jets are heavy and tend to drag my feet down so I use Mares power planas which are lighter.

 

[halocline]

Yep, you need positively buoyant fins, and there are lots to choose from. Get some nice thick neoprene booties while you're at it.

Weight distribution IS the issue, BTW. It's just that you may already be doing what you can in that regard. If you have not tried a steel backplate, that would make a big difference for most people, maybe you're different. Do you usually dive with steel or AL tanks?

 

[merxlin]

I have the same issue. I had to show my instructor once that even wearing a 3 mil I can sink, legs first dragging down the rest of me with them. I have my tank (steel) as high up as I can get it without smacking the back of my head on the valve. I carry 8 lbs in the trim pockets and 6 or 8in the lower ditchable pockets. That allows me to get horizontal.