Rolling/tipping over

[CheddarChick]

I am faced with admitting that I lean to the right. I have noticed I seem to roll a little up to the right while I dive. I have a Weight integrated Riptide BC that I carry 18 lbs while wearing a 7mm wetsuit with full hooded vest, gloves, ect. The dump valve is on the lower right side. Is it because the air pockets there? Could it cause me to roll this way? There is no problem with air consumption, we average over an hour on a 80 alum. My best was 1:20 minutes, just the feeling of rolling over

 

[Doc Intrepid]

Generally (but not always,) trim issues result from weight placement: where weight is located on your body.

If your BC is properly designed and worn, it would be unlikely that you'd be dealing with a large air pocket on only one side of it. The gas inside the bladder would tend to seek an equilibrium on both sides (assuming your trim in the water column starts off horizontal with respect to your longitudinal axis).

It would be more likely that some variance in weight placement (e.g. attaching a large flashlight, a large camera, a heavy reel, etc. on one side) might impact your longitudinal trim, causing a sensation of rolling to one side or the other.

One thing you may want to consider: placing 18 lbs of weight in your BC could be contributing to the situation. (Plus, I suspect it would make it difficult to "doff and don" your equipment underwater - not that this is generally necessary, but it has come in handy here and there for some divers...)

If you were to take even a small amount of this weight out of the BC and put it on a weightbelt - say two 4 lb weights, one on each side just in front of your hips - this would still leave 10 lbs in your BC but give you some "ballast" that you can move around as needed to eliminate the perception that you are rolling to your right or left (you said "roll a little up to the right" which suggests you could also be banking right side up left side down).

Regardless of which way you're rolling, I suspect that moving weight around on your body would be the most effective way to eliminate this sensation.

Best with that,

Doc

 

[CheddarChick]

Wow that was fast. Thanks Doc, I never thought about the camera. I appreiciate the thought of the weight belt, BUT I hate them. Bruises never look good on pale soggy flesh, and I always seem to end up with them when wearing a belt. I had thought about transferring a couple of lbs to a tank mount pouch. It just seems like when I wear that much neoprene I take forever to get under at first.

 

[Doc Intrepid]

Dare I suggest it?

One thing that might work for you would be a 12 lb backplate (which obviously puts 12 lbs flat against your back) and a wing! But this option has other ramifications, not the least of which is cost...

Another thing to consider is that not all weights are created equal. Soft weight pouches containing lead "shot" are generally more comfortable and less "bruise-prone" for many women than hard weights when worn on a belt, but whatever works for you.

With respect to weight however, (as you pointed out) wearing a 7mm neoprene suit will require that you wear enought weight to allow you to descend effortlessly at the surface, and this amount of weight will be slightly too heavy at depth as the wetsuit compresses and loses bouyancy. In such cases, too little weight and too much weight are equally problematic. You are wise to take the time to consider the issues and wear the correct amount of weight you need - however you wear it.

Hope this helps.

Doc

 

[alcina]

Can you find one of those tank bands that place weight on the tank itself? Have had a few divers who have used them very effectively. Sorry I can't add personal insight into their use - just observation

Also think about lead shot instead of molded weights...when I had to dive down south and use a real weight belt it was horrible...but the padded weight belts with lead shot weights I didn't even notice.

edit: backplate suggestion removed thanks to Doc being quick on the trigger

 

[CheddarChick]

Thought about the soft weights. Haven't done anything beyond thinking though. I think I will try the tank bands though. I have no huge problem with boyancy after descending, and don't bob like a cork on ascent with an empty tank. I would prefer to be able to control going up better than down

 

[brutus_scuba]

Can you find one of those tank bands that place weight on the tank itself? Have had a few divers who have used them very effectively. Sorry I can't add personal insight into their use - just observation

Question for ya alcina becuase I'm not sure. Do those weights have a similar effect to the drop weights that you would strap to a chest strap on your BC it seems that both have the point of getting yoru weight up over the chest and I think I would like it better on the tank band then then the bcd chest strap (although I've never had to wear weight up on my chest I wanna know for future reference)

 

[Walter]

I am faced with admitting that I lean to the right. I have noticed I seem to roll a little up to the right while I dive. I have a Weight integrated Riptide BC that I carry 18 lbs while wearing a 7mm wetsuit with full hooded vest, gloves, ect. The dump valve is on the lower right side. Is it because the air pockets there? Could it cause me to roll this way? There is no problem with air consumption, we average over an hour on a 80 alum. My best was 1:20 minutes, just the feeling of rolling over

An air pocket (if it exists) on the right side would tend to roll you to the left.

I suspect, although without diving with you it's impossible to be sure, it's just a quirk, part of your make up. Positioning of weights is not nearly as critical as some believe. We are not inanimate objects, how we position our bodies is much more important than where we put our weights. Putting all 18 lbs on as ankle weights would be an exception.

Is it a problem for you? If it's a problem, work to correct it by leaning to the left to compensate. If it's not a problem, why worry about it? If nothing else, it makes you easier to recognize.