Hi folks, I need some advice. I just bought a set of twin E8 130's and dive with a halcyon backplate and bare trilam drysuit. I've been trying different weight options, but would like to know what others are doing. I tried doing a check out dive and found my feet floated ALOT. I was using an integraded weight system that time. I normally wear about 36lbs with an aluminum and my old drysuit and have never had to use leg weights before. Do some of you wear weight belts and if so do you wear them under or over your harness. I've tried wearing them over and it didn't seem to work too well with the backplate harness. Under the harness limits the "ditch" ablilites of the belt. Advice?
Steel tanks and weights
- Thread starter fluidman
- Start date
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AndrewJD
Contributor
Do you use your suit for bouyancy control? That would be my first impression is that you have to much air in your suit which migrates to your feet.
If that's not the problem, try adjusting your tanks a little lower. I don't recommend that you use ankle weights.
Also check to see if you are overweighted by doing a bouyancy check.
Jonathan
If that's not the problem, try adjusting your tanks a little lower. I don't recommend that you use ankle weights.
Also check to see if you are overweighted by doing a bouyancy check.
Jonathan
fluidman:
No ankle weights here. There are times I will put a couple of pounds on the bottom of my tanks but that's as low as I go.
fluidman:
With a set of E8-130s and using a 6 lb SS bp, you shouldn't need much more weight at all.
I suspect you are putting too much gas in your drysuit. Remember, the gas will always migrate to the highest point. When this is your feet, its possible to have problems.
Only dive with as much gas in the drysuit as you absolutely need to take off the squeeze. Not only will your trim improve over time, but it makes equalizing the suit during the ascent much easier.
If you do need additional weight, many people wear weightbelts. Over or under is a recurring debate, there are decent arguments both ways. But considering the weight of a set of 130s, I suspect you'll find it easier to put on the weightbelt first, then the doubles. IF you need extra weight. Work with a buddy to establish that first...
If you fill out your profile with some details, it would make it much easier to provide input that is meaningful to you.
Doc
My first dive with double e-8 130's I had a really head down attitude in the water, I didn't think of it as being feet floaty. I thought I felt top heavy
I switched to an aluminum BP and my trim is now horizontal.
even with the lighter BP, I still don't need any additional weight.
My top band is just below the shoulder of the tanks
hope this helps
I switched to an aluminum BP and my trim is now horizontal.
even with the lighter BP, I still don't need any additional weight.
My top band is just below the shoulder of the tanks
hope this helps
Thanks for the tips people. I should have said that I am an experienced drysuit diver and understand the air-leg stuff. I may have been compounding the problems by diving new tanks, with a new drysuit and underwear. I think I will try to raise the bands to 1/2 cm bellow the tanks elbow from the 1cm to 1 1/2cm it is at now. I had on the cf200 underwear and a bulky thinsulate sweater. I will try not wearing the extra thinsulate to keep things simple. It was quite fun that day......it started snowing.......had a regulator freeze and flow.....legs floating....underweighted .....I love diving. That's what those simple new gear check dives are for.
