Tank Position for the perfect trim

[MarineVet32935]

Neither trim nor access should be a consideration. Primary consideration should be that it not be placed so high as to knock you unconsious, when you look upward suddenly to see that Eagle Ray and that it not be placed so low, as to fall out of the strap.

If a divemaster or anyone else reaches for my valve, I simply tell them, "Thanks, but I know it's open fully."

 

[Bottom Scratcher]

Neither trim nor access should be a consideration. Primary consideration should be that it not be placed so high as to knock you unconsious, when you look upward suddenly to see that Eagle Ray and that it not be placed so low, as to fall out of the strap.

If a divemaster or anyone else reaches for my valve, I simply tell them, "Thanks, but I know it's open fully."

Agree with Marinevet, high enough to reach, but low enough not to bang my head on. One of the few time I have agreed with a JAR*&^%, err a MARINE, HooYa!!!, can't believe I said that.

 

[IwakuniDiver]

Not banging my head on the tank has always been my highest priority as well after I gave myself a gnarly goose egg on the back of my dome while looking around for my wife who always swims 10' above me.

(more on that annoying behavior on one of my own threads...)

 

[DA Aquamaster]

In 20 years of diving there have been a few incidents that reinforced the need to be able to reach my tank valve(s).

On one occasion, a well meaning person got confused with the lefty-loosey/righty-tighty thing, decided my air was off and "fixed" the problem for me. This was discovered after entry on a swift drift dive where I made an immediate decent at about 15 ft. Being able to turn it back on myself, turned a potential problem into a minor annoyance.

On another occassion, the same thing happened except the valve was backed off 1/4 turn (from full closed in this case rather than ful open) which let in enough gas to make the reg appear normal until I got to depth where the flow through the mostly closed valve was not adequate to me the demand. Again being able to fix it yourself turns it into a non event.

I have also had cold water freeze flows on a couple occasions where being able to immediatley turn off the valve and switch to a pony or backup reg allowed the dive to continue for the few minutes required for the primary reg to thaw an allowed the gas to be preserved, and breathing gas is a good thing to have whether you choose to ascend or continue the dive.

 

[Divmstr223]

The tank sits high enough for me to reach my valve and low enough so I don't keep hitting my head on it.....:14:

that's about as much thought as I put into it

 

[Eagle-scuba]

reaching the valve is not necessarily it...reaching the 1st stage is...in case you need to recove your primary reg for some reason...you should be able to reach the hose connection to the 1st stage.....positioning for trim , you might consider reaching over you shoulder and touching the crown of the tank...moves the cg foward when prone...see ya` under...

 

[arkano13]

The best way that I've found for me is low enough so I dont bang my head. I make sure that my valve is aaaall the way open, close half a turn and I'm done. I shouldn't have to worry about reaching my valve.

 

[SparticleBrane]

Why would you close it half a turn?
In a situation where you'd need to turn off the valve, you need to know which way to go. If your valve is completely open--there's no question which way to turn it. If it's slightly closed then you could get confused quite easily.

 

[Puffer Fish]

The best way that I've found for me is low enough so I dont bang my head. I make sure that my valve is aaaall the way open, close half a turn and I'm done. I shouldn't have to worry about reaching my valve.

I have some friends you need to go diving with - they think turning air off is funny. Will teach you really fast how important being able to reach it is.

 

[almitywife]

Not banging my head on the tank has always been my highest priority as well after I gave myself a gnarly goose egg on the back of my dome while looking around for my wife who always swims 10' above me.

I have some friends you need to go diving with - they think turning air off is funny. Will teach you really fast how important being able to reach it is.

co-incidence, i think not... i hang out usually 10' above hubby also - helps with the life insurance forms later on