Struggling in midwater

[ArcticDiver]

Geee, if you Continuous Divers have this problem is there any hope for Batch Divers like me?

 

[TSandM]

Tony, that's a good idea. I've got the "pull the bag out and check buddy" sequence pretty well tuned, but putting the depth gauge into the rotation should be possible. It's so easy to miss kinesthetic cues when your attention is focused on a task.

 

[deepblueme]

get a wrist mount depth gauge or computer and wear it on the inside of your wrist (makes it easier to look at) even if you use a computer.

I wear my computer on my wrist and have a console mount compass with a depth gauge that is on the same side. It took me awhile to get use to a console mount.

 

[drew52]

phew!

I was just wondering the same thing.

 

[TSandM]

Tony, that is a great suggestion. It seems like that also makes you check in on your buoyancy at regular (and close) intervals when it is most likely to go to hell.

So much of this stuff is technique related, getting the sequence of actions down solid, and building "muscle" memory, so to speak. When I shoot a bag, I sometimes lose track of my gauges because I get task-loaded--adding these reminders to my "checklist" of bag shooting will help out a lot.

Okay . . . Clearly we have hive mind going on here. The readers will figure out that we really ARE the Borg if we keep on this way . . .

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Tony, that is a great suggestion. It seems like that also makes you check in on your buoyancy at regular (and close) intervals when it is most likely to go to hell.

So much of this stuff is technique related, getting the sequence of actions down solid, and building "muscle" memory, so to speak. When I shoot a bag, I sometimes lose track of my gauges because I get task-loaded--adding these reminders to my "checklist" of bag shooting will help out a lot.

The key to good buoyancy control is staying on top of it. Awareness of depth is important. Awareness that task-loading can change your breathing pattern is another ... changes in breathing will change your buoyancy. So once you've established the depth you want to be at, monitor your breathing ... be aware that concentrating on a task (i.e. changing your "stress" level) can cause you to make unconscious adjustments in your breathing pattern that may be detrimental to your buoyancy.

To paraphrase Dori ... "just keep breathing, just keep breathing" ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Doc Intrepid]

Lynne, I have had issues with blue water deco stops also. Aside from using the anchor line for reference, and the hints from some of the others, there are two things I consciously do that seem to help.

First is to make sure I'm arched pretty good, especially head all the way back.

Second is to really relax...visualize relaxing completely.

Task loading will always mess with my zen, but if I'm having trouble with other issues I find that simply trying to 'stop, trim out (arch), and relax' seem to reduce my tendency to have other issues on blue water stops.

YMMV...

 

[dsteding]

get a wrist mount depth gauge or computer and wear it on the inside of your wrist (makes it easier to look at) even if you use a computer.

I wear my computer on my wrist and have a console mount compass with a depth gauge that is on the same side. It took me awhile to get use to a console mount.

Yes, we all wear our depth gauge there, I agree makes things much easier.

 

[dsteding]

Okay . . . Clearly we have hive mind going on here. The readers will figure out that we really ARE the Borg if we keep on this way . . .

No kidding. This is starting to scare me.

I thought Geof's suggestion about paying attention to water pressure on your fins was another good one, but clearly you have to have REALLY good trim and be really quiet in the water to have that work. I look forward to getting to that spot.

 

[sharkattack]

Without reading all the responses. My suggestion is slow down on whatever task you may be doing. Slow relaxed movements.