Lots of trouble getting trim right on surface

[satwar]

I have a Transpac BCD with a Venture exp wing. I'm not feeling good about trim while floating on surface, it keeps pushing my face in water. I don't inflate wing too hard.

Some have suggested a small trim pocket on tank band. How much weight, which tank band and where on the tank ? These trim pockets are a pain, when installed on tank band.

I was thinking 2 lb centered on the top band.

 

[BB1]

Dont worry about weights yet - lift your legs up straight out in front of you. works wonders!

 

[satwar]

I can't get onto my back in a stable position, if that's what you're saying.

 

[BB1]

Let the air out the wing. get verticle. Lift your legs straight out in front of you and add a little air at the same time.

This works in a wetsuit because the neoprene makes your legs quite buoyant. Then its just a balancing game.

 

[MichaelBaranows]

You might also reducing how much weight you are using. Seems too many time people are using too much weight and then have to add more air to stay afloat.

Or you can always do like me and not float on the surface. I spend as little time as I can on the surface.

I see that you have less than 24 dives so just relax it might take a little time to get it figured out. You might even talk your instructor to see if they would be willing to help you out. Cause just because you now have your cert. doesn't mean that they can't still help you.

 

[TSandM]

What position you float in is a product of where the lift is, and where your weight is. With a wing, the lift is all behind you. If you are not using a crotch strap on your harness, the bladder can ride up onto your shoulders, which tends to push you forward. In addition, if you are using a tank which isn't very negative (Al80?) and have your weights on a belt or in weight pockets which are in front of you, then everything that wants to sink is in front and everything that wants to float is in back.

Using a crotch strap, moving any weight you are wearing to the back of a belt or moving some weight to the cambands, or switching to a more negative tank are all steps that will make this tendency better.

I find this kind of complaint interesting, because I have dived a backplate and wing system in a multitude of configurations, from Al80 with plastic plate to steel plate with steel doubles, and I've never been pushed onto my face. But I do keep the crotch strap tight.

 

[fnfalman]

If you don't have a lot of air in your wing at the surface then it can't put your face in the water. However, you do need to lean back on the BC by float your legs up. It's not going to bob you on the surface vertically like a jacket BC would. And yes, spend less time on the surface and more time undewater. You shouldn't be floating much on the surface and if you were to do a surface swim then you'd do it with your face in the water anyway. Or swim on your back.

Wean yourself from the bad habits you got by wearing the jacket BC.

 

[satwar]

My problem was noticed when I had to surface after getting separated from buddie. Had to converse but didn't feel comfortable without regulator in mouth.

 

[BB1]

Try lifting your legs - honestly it makes such a difference!

 

[Damselfish]

It's possible you are doing something else "wrong" as many folks will suggest, but there's a very good chance it's a simple weight distribution problem. What are you wearing for exposure protection, tank? How much weight are you using, all on a belt, all in front or where? Hard for people to suggest how much weight to move where without knowing that stuff.

At some point instead of over analyzing it while sitting on dry land, just try moving some weight back, thread it on whichever camband, see if it helps. Once you know what you need where you can work on the most convenient way to mount it.


With a back inflate BC with little integrated weight in front, not inflated much, no rear weight, little neoprene, and an AL 80, I absolutely face plant. Simple physics. I now have 4# in front and 4# in back, that works for me. (I'd probably only use 6# but it's kind of hard to distribute 6# well!) I find the often suggested leaning back thing or putting my legs out too much effort, very uncomfortable, and not a very useful position. I don't like swimming on my back. I consider leaning back a band-aid to improper weight distribution, not a fix. I also consider suggestions to not stay on the surface not overly helpful. Everyone is on the surface at some point and some diving situations simply require some time on the surface.