One thought is whether the LDS can be of assistance. Do they have access to a pool where they do their OW training? If so, could you arrange to get together with an Instructor from the shop to get an ‘up close and personal’ evaluation of your set-up, and your finning techniques (see comment, below)?Carribeandiver:
I am impressed that you need no additional weight even when diving an AL80. Good for you. One question that comes up, given your description, is whether you have tested your buoyancy and trim with different (less negative) fins? I dive Jets with my drysuit, because I am somewhat ‘feet light’ then. But, I use Mares Quattros when diving wet, single (HP steel 120) tank, and that works great for me. I can achieve relatively good horizontal positioning and trim. The Jets are a bit negative for my tastes with a 3mm and a single tank. If you were to use a less negative fin, would your overall bouyancy change in the direction of needing a small amount of weight, which you might add in a higher position? As DIR-Atlanta mentioned:Carribeandiver:
And that is a critical point to keep in mind.DIR-Atlanta:
It is also possible that your finning techniques, combined with a ‘foot low’ orientation associated with your weight (fins) and lift distribution, may contribute to the yo-yo effect you describe. If you end up with your feet lower, your finning may be directing at least part of the thrust / propulsion downward, thereby providing lift that otherwise would come from the wing. While you are using your fins, you adjust (decrease) the air in your wing to reflect the combination of lift from the wing and upward movement from finning. When stop finning for a moment, you start to sink, and add air to compensate. Then, when you start finning again, you rise (your kicks are pushing you upward), and feel the need to dump air to compensate.Carribeandiver:
As others have mentioned, the harness should be snug – not uncomfortable but certainly snug. In fact, I keep mine tight enough that I have to really work to get my arms / shoulders into it on the surface (and out of it after a dive). You haven’t mentioned how snug your crotch strap is, so it is also possible that your rig rides somewhat high on your body, exacerbating the issue of your feet wanting to drop, while your upper body gets the ‘benefit’ of the lift in the wing.Carribeandiver:
From your response about the Eclipse, you apparently have a STA (with the cam bands running through it) attached to the BP, so your description of the tank feeling loose in the water is perplexing, beyond the possibility that the harness is simply a bit on the loose side. It certainly should not feel like that in the water.Carribeandiver:
Yes, that may well contribute. You are being very forthcoming in not trying to ‘blame’ the equipment. But, in fairness to you, part of the process of optimizing trim and buoyancy necessarily involves tweaking your equipment.Carribeandiver:
Based on your comments about your previous experiences, it appears that you recognize when you are able to fine tune your buoyancy using your breathing. That should be the case with a properly configured BP/W as well.
I agree with Diver0001’s sentiment here. We can throw out a lot of ‘what ifs’, but these are really just for you to think about. Having someone familiar with BP/W rigs get in the water with you will ultimately be most helpful. As I said in my original post, there is inherent danger here in the remote approach to diagnosis, so please take these comments as thoughts only to be considered and possibly ruled out. Nonetheless, we will, of course, send you an invoice for our consultation fee.Diver0001:
