Need tips on gear removal at depth for OW

[ReneeDr]

I'm in my 3rd pool class of OW cert and I had trouble removing my BC underwater. I got it off of my left shoulder and reached around with my right hand to guide the tank over to my right thigh and I got off balance and almost floated to the top without my BC. I grabbed my instructor's arm for a second, then was able to regain my balance and put the BC back on at depth. But, I want to know if there is some easy trick that I am missing out. My instructor told us to hold the right shoulder strap with my left hand once it was out of the BC and I think I forgot to do that. Any hints?

 

[gangrel441]

Your weighting is the same with your BC on or BC off, as long as you are still holding on to it. Just make sure you don't let go of it, and you should be fine.

 

[Walter]

Wear a weight belt.

 

[redacted]

I undo the waist strap (and chest strap) and reach up and behind my head with both hands to grab 1st stage and/or hoses. I then pull the tank and BC up and over my head and place it down in front of me upside down. Reentry is the same motion in reverse. Place your hands thru the arm holes and grab the sides of the tank. Then lift it up and over your head, extend your arms, and it is on. then you just have to wrestle the straps into submission. That's when it's nice to have a simple 2" webbing with buckle rather than a cumberbun that is hard to keep from grabbing itself. With a little practice, it is quite easy. And the practice tends to be rather entertaining.

Getting out of the BC on the surface is even easier. Best to get rid of the weight belt first. Air it up so BC is positive, undo straps and buckles, put your arms up and exhale. You will drop right out. Try not to lose the regulator or the BC.

 

[cdennyb]

The BC probably has the integrated weights in it. If it does, this is a perfect example why the backplate and wing combo is preferred over the usual recreational BC. The weight belt is preferred over integrated weight systems for this very reason. The wet suit will provide lift you can't overcome if the weights drop.
Learn to unbuckle and 'roll' the tank and wing over your head keeping ahold with both hands. This keeps the weight balanced over your center of gravity, no matter how small that center is.

db

 

[String]

This is another advert for not using weight integrated.

 

[vel525]

Well, I'm guessing you are doing this on your knees at the bottom of pool/ocean/lake. Depending on your right or left handed (I'm right), I loosen the shoulder strap on my left side, slide my left arm out and grab a hold of my right shoulder strap. Then, while holding on to the right shoulder strap, I lower my right shoulder and guide the BC off with my left arm. Hope that made sense.

On a sidenote, I have put my BC on while I was in mid-water and in that case, the way awap described was the easiest.

 

[Jorbar1551]

+1 for a backplate and wing. Just throw it over your head, its a lot eisier in water. doing it on the surface sucks though.

 

[Divedoggie]

I like Walter's answer, and String's hint. Wear a weight belt.

Then slow down, relax, methodically loosen each strap and move through the skill as your instructor has demonstrated.

 

[johnny_bravo]

Slow down...crouch or bend your torso a little too will help with balance and buoyancy.

Cheers.

-J.-