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torch on a retractor- not part of my normal set up. Was staying outside so no tangle hazards.Just curious - what’s all the stuff hanging below you in the first photo?
Thanks for taking the time the reply. Lots of useful info.Nice setup! I've only got a bit over 100 dives on my Stealth, so I'm not quite experienced enough to tell you exactly how to fiddle with things to improve your trim, but I can point toward the right direction and tell you these resources helped me:
From these pictures, I'm seeing your tanks not sitting quite in line with your body. They appear mostly horizontal, but out of trim with your body. This could be a result of how they are rigged (hardware type and placement on the cylinder), where they are clipped off, or how tightly the loop bungees (I assume) are around the valves (this can torque the tank, causing the tails of even steel tanks to point up). You appear to be diving slightly head up / knees down, as well. I would start with some out of water exercises, lying horizontal in mock perfect trim to really get the feel of being flat. In the water, try to get in trim, stop moving completely, and see how your body tips. Weight distribution in the spine pocket, fin buoyancy, and position and fit of the harness and wing can all be factors here. Horizontal trim is easier in a drysuit because you can move the bubble around, as it were, but in a wetsuit, you'll want to do a bit more fine tuning.
- Getting sidemount tanks to bahave themselves
- Rob Neto's Sidemount Diving: An Almost Comprehensive Guide (book)
- Steve Martin's sidemounting.com course
Personally, I do a lot of finning and skills in front of a GoPro on a tripod when solo diving (really makes deco fly by). Reviewing videos helps a lot. Perhaps most importantly, dive dive dive. You'll become more in tune with your rig and adjustments will (sometimes) feel more intuitive.
Hi Paul.Hi,
Whats your depth and how much lead do you have? Your wing seems quite inflated and high at the butt.
Do those 7L steels remain negative below 3rds?