Newbie "Balancing" (buoyancy) prob

[Windminstrel]

Howdy All,

Just finished the classwork & pool work for my OW cert -- waiting for the water to warm up some for the ocean dives. In the pool sessions I had a problem that seemed pretty minor, so I didn't ask the instructor about it. Figure I can ask you folks now.

When we were at the bottom of the pool, kneeling and watching demonstrations, I found it hard to sit forward enough to comfortably kneel. I kept falling over backward. Is that a buoyancy issue, or the weight of the tank, or what? Is it a matter of concern? I'm not thinking I'll be kneeling much on the ocean floor, and I'm comfortable when I'm in a normal diving posture.

Any thoughts/comments?

 

[H2Andy]

it is a trim issue. the tank was pulling you back.

when you swim in the horizontal position, this won't be much of an issue, as you
yourself note.

 

[MikeFerrara]

Howdy All,

Just finished the classwork & pool work for my OW cert -- waiting for the water to warm up some for the ocean dives. In the pool sessions I had a problem that seemed pretty minor, so I didn't ask the instructor about it. Figure I can ask you folks now.

When we were at the bottom of the pool, kneeling and watching demonstrations, I found it hard to sit forward enough to comfortably kneel. I kept falling over backward. Is that a buoyancy issue, or the weight of the tank, or what? Is it a matter of concern? I'm not thinking I'll be kneeling much on the ocean floor, and I'm comfortable when I'm in a normal diving posture.

Any thoughts/comments?

I think your thoughts are on the right track. You shouldn't be doing much kneeling anyway.

 

[mempilot]

What type of bc were you wearing? Where was the weight placed? What type/size of tank were you breathing off? ie. back inflation vs. jacket style; weight belt with weight on the sides and back or quick release pouches on the sides; AL vs Steel(high pressure/low pressure)

Trim is defineately the issue. Back inflation bc's will move the center of bouyancy rearward pushing you forward with a neg bouyant tank. A jacket style with the weight to far back and a steel tank will roll you backward since the center of bouyancy is forward and the weight is aft. Different combonations of these setups will cause different trim issues.

You'll want your trim to be proper for a horizontal position in the water. You may have to compensate a little for vertical float at the surface. Don't worry about kneeling, since you won't be doing that after your brain unlearns what PADI taught you in the pool while doing your skills.

Fine tune your weight to be neutrally bouyant at 10-15' with 500psi in your tank. Then move the weight around to fine tune your trim. If you change any part of your equipment, you'll have to redo the above two steps. Don't worry, it will become second nature over time.

 

[BobRussell]

Don't worry about it. Any kneeling D/Ms in the pool were probably leaning considerable forward from vertical. After you get through the skill circuit you will be horzontial most of the time. Once you complete your O/W cert, consider a Peak Performance Buoyance speciality, then logging a few dives before going for an A-O/W

Having our own gear makes a big difference.

 

[Amy B]

I think a lot of people having balancing issues when they're new to diving, just because they're not used to the environment. I know I had a few doing my OW course, and so did my sister, and a few of my friends have had problems too. They normally pass as you do more dives and get more experience, and you get used to the environment. It's a pretty common complaint with new divers, so don't worry, you should get used to it and it'll pass.
Other than that, the other stuff already mentioned (cylinder, position of weights etc) will effect you as well. Maybe you could ask your instructor for some advice/help?

 

[Neckbone]

Any thoughts/comments?

I assume that was on the occasion that you were able to keep your BCD off the bottom of the pool?

 

[sailingking]

Moving the tank up a little bit will also help

 

[Michael Schlink]

If after you start diving some and you still feel a little out of balance there is a simple little "pouch" that will hold about 5 lbs of weight. You can put this weight up high on the tank which will help balance you. Several mfg's have them. AND I know Mike "cringed" when you spoke of kneeling. There is little reason or opportunity to kneel while diving so just try to be comfortable and balanced when your in a "normal" (prone) diving position - your balance and trim will improve as you dive more, your already aware of it so your headed in the right direction-Good luck

 

[margorah]

I kept having this problem as well and it was simply a matter of moving my weights further foward around my waist. I had them just behind or on my hips so all the weight was at the back.
I moved them so they sat just forward of my hips. (If you imagine your waist as a clock and 12:00 is your belly button, I have them about 10:30 and 1:30)

It may be other issues apart from this, but it may be this simple.

S