Musing about trim

[TSandM]

Just yesterday, I saw a photo posted of a diver from Monterey with 25 dives, who had just passed Fundies:

The photo struck me, because I recently dove with another Monterey diver, who had the same very straight line from the torso through the arms to the hands. As I watched her dive, I was thinking that, if I had to hold my arms in that position all the time, I would be very uncomfortable. Even extending my arms straight above my head sitting at the table causes strain in my shoulders. I CAN assume that position while diving, and I have photos to prove it, and I do it when the space through which I am moving requires it, but I don't dive like that all the time. I more typically relax the shoulders and bend the elbows, like so:

I'm wondering, for those of you who worry about trim, do you resemble the first photo more, or the second? And, aside from a small increase in streamlining, what is the benefit of diving in that rather artificial position all the time? (I acknowledge the benefit when moving through small spaces, or swimming into high flow or current.)

 

[DBailey]

I'm wondering, for those of you who worry about trim, do you resemble the first photo more, or the second? And, aside from a small increase in streamlining, what is the benefit of diving in that rather artificial position all the time? (I acknowledge the benefit when moving through small spaces, or swimming into high flow or current.)

I aim to keep my arms within the height of my profile. In the second photo, the diver's arms/hands are below the profile of the body and would increase your drag (at least in my mind it does). I won't get as "superman" as the first photo, but my arms will be within my profile, more towards the lower end of the profile due to comfort.

 

[tomfcrist]

The superman position has always baffled me. Yes, when cutting through tight holes and spaces it can be practical, but to an entire dive in that position? Doesnt seem either comfortable, practical or even fun. It seems to me to be a "look at me and my perfect trim" type statement when a diver holds that position for more than about 10 seconds, which makes me wonder what skills they are lacking that leaves them feeling so inadequate that they feel the need to try to show off. I personally think these people look like clowns.

 

[ajduplessis]

OK, I just pulled a shoulder muscle looking at that pic. Being streamlined with a good body position is key, however that is overboard IMHO. The diver in 1st pic can reduce a bucket full of drag by fitting a smaller can light. That thing is HUGE!!!!

if you stand upright with one palm resting on the opposite wrist across the abdomen (casual pose) and lift your arms to the horizontal position, that would be a more relaxed/comfortable profile with the same drag efficiency.

Now I am off to stretch this shoulder......

 

[lv2dive]

Depending on the dive...

My left arm is in front more relaxed than pic 1 and my right arm is on the trigger or

My left arm is in front more relaxed than pic 1 and my right arm is resting on my cannister or

I'm pulling and gliding with both arms or

I may be taking pics or video or writing with my right hand in which case I'd look more like pic 2.

I rarely clasp my hands or "superman."

 

[johnkendall]

I try to get my fundies students to be more like the first photo than the second. The reason is that it helps force them to keep their head up, and so hold better trim. As that trim becomes more automatic, the rest of the body will naturally relax a little, but arms will still be forward. I rarely get anyone quite as stretched out as the first photo, but I am definately aiming for a superman type position.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

 

[divad]

The superman position has always baffled me. Yes, when cutting through tight holes and spaces it can be practical, but to an entire dive in that position? Doesnt seem either comfortable, practical or even fun. It seems to me to be a "look at me and my perfect trim" type statement when a diver holds that position for more than about 10 seconds, which makes me wonder what skills they are lacking that leaves them feeling so inadequate that they feel the need to try to show off. I personally think these people look like clowns.

Have you seen your avatar? No need to get defensive.

 

[PfcAJ]

The superman thing is miserable to me. Diving should be fun, and there's nothing fun about weird unnatural positions.

 

[blinkswiler]

I never understood the superman flying style. Grteat that some can do it. I prefer my hands behind my back under the tank unless I'm carying a camera or bigger dive light. But then I'm not concerned about streamlined.

 

[undrwater]

What's wrong with trying to look awesome?