Tank position to affect buoyancy

[ScottyK]

I mad my first dives with a new 7mm semi-dry full suit/hooded sleeveless jacket combo

If I am reading this correctly, you are using a two piece wetsuit. If so, having a double thickness of neoprene is compounding your problem.

You'd be better off with one quality fullsuit. The fit, the seal and the abilty to trap a layer of water inside are how a wetsuit keeps you warm. For the most part, the extra layer of farmer john type or any two piece set ups wreak havoc with your buoyancy, and give very little thermal benefit in return.

I went through the same thing when I started diving. I'm 6' 220lbs, and spent $450 on a custom made two piece wetsuit (nothing off the rack fit my NFL sized thighs). I wound up ditching it a few months into my first year. I switched to an Isotherm one piece, and most recently a 7mil Hyperstretch. They are both warmer than the two piece was.

 

[kidspot]

or just wear a 1/2 mil - makes bouancy much easier LOL - plus in cold water you wouldn't have to worry about cramps in your legs any longer (can't feel your legs . . . can't feel leg cramps either, right?)
j/k - I have no useful info to add, just teasing you with a bit of "wimpy" warm water weather from over here - It's probably going to get pretty cold here soon, water temps down to 80 . . . maybe even 79 degrees . . .brrrr.


Tim


P.S. When I try my first cold water diving you are welcome to come laugh as I will probably be wearing 2-3 layers of 7mil material. Bobbing around like the Michelin man let loose in a swimming pool.

 

[mrjake]

or just wear a 1/2 mil - makes bouancy much easier LOL - plus in cold water you wouldn't have to worry about cramps in your legs any longer (can't feel your legs . . . can't feel leg cramps either, right?)
j/k - I have no useful info to add, just teasing you with a bit of "wimpy" warm water weather from over here - It's probably going to get pretty cold here soon, water temps down to 80 . . . maybe even 79 degrees . . .brrrr.


Tim


P.S. When I try my first cold water diving you are welcome to come laugh as I will probably be wearing 2-3 layers of 7mil material. Bobbing around like the Michelin man let loose in a swimming pool.

You are welcome to come an visit me in Ohio to dive in my 60 degree quarry if I can visit you to dive in your 80 degree ocean!!!!!!!!!!!

Bob

 

[crosing]

Try 'burping' your semi dry suit to get rid of as much trapped air as possible before descending.....

 

[kidspot]

You are welcome to come an visit me in Ohio to dive in my 60 degree quarry if I can visit you to dive in your 80 degree ocean!!!!!!!!!!!

hmmm - I've been thinking about going to Ohio in a couple of years (for a friend's graduation from Massillon Baptist College) . . .

Should I bring my 1/2 mil or do you think I'll need the 3 mil shorty also?

And the ocean is open nearly every day (I think they close it on thursdays for cleaning) so whenever you're ready come on over. . .

Tim

 

[fmw625]

Last Weekend I dove in cold water for the first time 65 deg. Decided to use a 3 mil hood for the first time. Didn't add ant weight. Had to exhale real hard to start down. Once I started down I could breathe normally. On this dive one of my objectives was to be able to hoover horizontally with no forward movement. In the past I have been feet heavy, so I raised my tank by about 2" and doned mt BCD as low as possible. Still feet heavy. Had my dive buddy raise my tank a couple of times to the point that I was bumping my head on regulator. Still feet heavy. Tank up should shift center of gravity towards head and tank down should shift center of gravity towards feet. Trying to figure out what to do next. I'm 5' 7" 165# and dive with 4# in 3mm and AL80.

 

[mrjake]

If I am reading this correctly, you are using a two piece wetsuit. If so, having a double thickness of neoprene is compounding your problem.

You'd be better off with one quality fullsuit. The fit, the seal and the abilty to trap a layer of water inside are how a wetsuit keeps you warm. For the most part, the extra layer of farmer john type or any two piece set ups wreak havoc with your buoyancy, and give very little thermal benefit in return.

I went through the same thing when I started diving. I'm 6' 220lbs, and spent $450 on a custom made two piece wetsuit (nothing off the rack fit my NFL sized thighs). I wound up ditching it a few months into my first year. I switched to an Isotherm one piece, and most recently a 7mil Hyperstretch. They are both warmer than the two piece was.

I thought that two layers might be a problem. That's why I ordered a fullsuit with a sleeveless jacket. I now have the option of using just the suit with a hood that just came yesterday. I bought the suit from Aquaflite made to my measurements and couldn't be happier with the fit and warmth. The suit has their Oceanliner lining (probably the same as Henderson gold core, etc) which stretches with the suit and drys very quickly between dives. I couldn't try ditching the jackets last weekend as I didn't have the separate hood yet. That was an afterthought that I ordered from Ed at Aquaflite a couple days after my original order.

Bob

 

[ScottyK]

Last Weekend I dove in cold water for the first time 65 deg. Decided to use a 3 mil hood for the first time. Didn't add ant weight. Had to exhale real hard to start down. Once I started down I could breathe normally. On this dive one of my objectives was to be able to hoover horizontally with no forward movement. In the past I have been feet heavy, so I raised my tank by about 2" and doned mt BCD as low as possible. Still feet heavy. Had my dive buddy raise my tank a couple of times to the point that I was bumping my head on regulator. Still feet heavy. Tank up should shift center of gravity towards head and tank down should shift center of gravity towards feet. Trying to figure out what to do next. I'm 5' 7" 165# and dive with 4# in 3mm and AL80.

Being feet heavy with only 4# of weight is an unusual problem. I have several suggestions for you. Obviously, it will be more realistic for you to try to rent or borrow some gear to try my equipment ideas. It could get a little expensive buying everything I'm going to mention

1- Get a 7mil suit. This will make your legs more buoyant and allow you to add some more weight to shift around. It will also be warmer if you will be diving in water below 70 degrees.

2- I don't know what kind of BC you are using, but I am assuming the 4 pounds of lead are around your waist somewhere. You could try a BP/wing setup with an aluminum plate. Put a 4# trim weight at the top of the plate, which will move it up between your shoulder blades. Also, some higher end back inflate BC's have trim pockets up high. You could add a couple of 2# bullets and remove the weight from your waist.

3- If you are diving with heavy rubber fins, like Jets or Turtles, you could switch to lighter plastic ones. I would only do this as a last resort. I'd almost consider quitting diving rather than give up my Jets

4- Finally, you might try posting this as a new topic in the general discussions forum. More people will see it there, and you may get better answers from someone who has had the same problem.

Good luck with it,
Scott

 

[ScottyK]

I thought that two layers might be a problem. That's why I ordered a fullsuit with a sleeveless jacket. I now have the option of using just the suit with a hood that just came yesterday. I bought the suit from Aquaflite made to my measurements and couldn't be happier with the fit and warmth. The suit has their Oceanliner lining (probably the same as Henderson gold core, etc) which stretches with the suit and drys very quickly between dives. I couldn't try ditching the jackets last weekend as I didn't have the separate hood yet. That was an afterthought that I ordered from Ed at Aquaflite a couple days after my original order.

Bob

That should help make a difference. Back in our early dive days, the two piece suit even screwed with the buoyancy of my petite size three Fiance'. It worse with us bigger guys that really need a lot of neoprene

Let us know how it works out....

Scott