New to diving, have some questions regarding stability and BCs.

[MKrauter]

Hi all, I'm new to this board as well as with diving in general (in the process of getting certified with SEI, we have 4 more inclass/inpool lessons til the OW).

I'm currently looking at buying some gear, in specific a BC. Now I lucked out in that, when I was looking to buy my own mask/fins/snorkel for the class (was borrowing a friends) I took a peak on Kijiji and found an awesome deal on a BCD (Aquatec Innovator), Octo Reg, Farmer John 7mm w/ Jacket, 5mm short suit, gloves, hood Integrated weight bags & 80 ft3 tank for 500$. All of the gear had been used once or twice and luckily, the buyer had bought it all from my instructor so he could certify that it was quality equipment. I have been testing it all out in our pool sessions and am really enjoying using it.

However, I have been having some issues with stability underwater. Namely, maintaining a horizontal position in the water (I am slowly working on getting neutral buoyancy, I'm still trying to figure out how to minimize my breath's effect), I find that I am either forcefully leaning forward, which is awkward when trying to get my buoyancy right, or I am going from vertical to horizontal from finning, which also causes me to move forward. I have also had some slight issues whilst we practice "saving a victim", i,e. coming up to a passive victim facedown and rolling them over and starting Airway and Breathing. My main problem with this is when I am the "victim" and am trying to hang facedown on the surface, I sometimes start to roll to the left or right. It's also happened once or twice when I've managed to hover horizontally on the bottom as well. Is there anything I can do to solve my two issues? Namely, maintaining a horizontal attitude whilst submerged as well as avoiding at roll?

This leads me to my second question, when I was searching online for how to maintain better trim, I immediately saw that the main recommendation for BC is a BP/W. As I've already got a jacket BCD, I am not worried about picking BP/W or jacket right now, however I am thinking of continuing on to such things as tech diving in the future (wrecks hopefully). Seeing as how the BP/W is so modular this makes me like the idea that I can grow as a diver with it. However, when I broached the idea with my instructor he strongly recommend I stay away from them all together. I went to another LDS today and they strongly recommend I get comfortable with diving in a jacket BCD and then move to a BP/W as I move into tech diving, which doesn't really make sense to me... I am hoping someone can give me advice as to if I should focus on learning in a jacket and then switch to a BP/W later or if I should just start with the BP/W. Currently in the pool sessions, apart from maintaining trim, I don't find the jacket BCD that bad.

Also, if anyone could recommend a decent company or product to look at? I'm not familiar with the brands and companies so was hoping for some advice. my current budget for a BC is around 200-450$ and my main interests at the moment is just single tank recreational diving.

Sorry for the long winded post but thank you for the help if you've stuck around this long!

Mitch

 

[dumpsterDiver]

I would say buy the used BC and gear. Learn to dive it. Adjusting the location of the lead will help get trim more manageable. Then, in the future, 50 or 100 dives (or many more) you want to pursue tech diving, then sell the used BC and buy a BP/W.

If the BC works, fits well and is comfortable... you should be able to make it work.

Clearly, you are trying to make things work, buying used gear etc. So money is probably an issue... Re-selling a used BC, should not cause you any big financial harm.

I would not buy a bunch of fancy new gear until you are at least certified.

 

[MKrauter]

I did pick up the Kijiji deal. It's been great so far. I'm just curious about the bp/w since it seemed like anything I looked at online sang its praises and strongly recommended it. Is it worth it to get a bp/w for just recreational diving?

 

[Nick A]

I would go ahead with the used gear, if its only been used a couple times it should be good. As far as trim, like dumpsterdiver said, adjust the weights. Maybe try a weight belt. That will allow you to move them to the front (towards the forward portion of your hips) or back (either side of the tank). Also try and move your tank down a little, which may help with your pitch. It'll move weight back, towards your feet. Start with small adjustments. I don't know how much weight your using, but its possible that you don't need as much weight as your using.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

I did pick up the Kijiji deal. It's been great so far. I'm just curious about the bp/w since it seemed like anything I looked at online sang its praises and strongly recommended it. Is it worth it to get a bp/w for just recreational diving?

A vast majority of recreational divers do NOT use them. However, the opinions of the members of this board are skewed very far from the general diving population. This is partially due to the fanatical nature of the members here....Is it worth it? I have 3 BP/w's and I haven't used one in 18 months and prefer my recreational BC....

 

[cocoajoe]

Crawl before you walk, walk before you run

 

[boulderjohn]

There is nothing wrong with starting with a BP/W. It is no harder to dive with one of those than a jacket. On the other hand, if you got a good deal on a jacket and already own it, there is no good reason to switch right now, either. Your stability problems are common with new divers, no matter what they are wearing.

 

[BDSC]

I'd say keep diving with the gear you already have. There is nothing magical about a BP/W when it comes to trim. I have dove both a jacket and back inflate (similar to a BP/W) and have had no problem maintaining good trim in either. Sounds like you got a good deal on your gear.

 

[MKrauter]

@Broseidon- I use 2x 3lb weights in the rear trim pockets (6lbs total) and another 6 on the weight belt when we are in the pool. I have not spoken to my instructor about what I will use on the OW.

@ Dumpsterdiver- thank you for the advice I think I will try a few 50~60 dives before I look at bp/w.

 

[spectrum]

If you own it dive it.

It takes most people a little bit to be steady and prone while diving. Some of it is like riding a bike. Some of it also comes down tou getting your weight and the lacement right. More here.

One the surface you will become tippy if you try to hike yourself up out of the water. I's merely a function of your center of gravidy. Try inflating just enough to get your chin comfortably out of the water. If theres's still some splash that's why you have a snorkel/regulator. If you try to get much elevation with a wing it will plant your face, physics plain and simple. Get used to minimal elevation now and the problem is solved now and forever. Also make sure weights are biased to the front. Keepers should keep your back clear for the cylinder with lead on the sides, rounding to the front. This also keeps the weights from bearing on your directly.

Your breathing can cause you to porpoise some but this will be at it's worst in a shallow pool. This is due to the limited depth and turbulence of others in the pool. It tends to be random and as a new diver can leave you wonder what's going on. Right now your breathing is porbably at a high rate ecacerbating this normal phenomenon.Do your best and dive with a spirt of continupous improvement and it will all dial in for you.

Pete