Trim instructors?

[piikki]

I have not taken peak performance buoyancy specialty, and found out will not have it on offer on my AOW either, so no fun games re: trim/buoyancy with masters coming my way. I was wondering if anyone with experience would be able to help me with some fine-tuning.

Generally, I have no problem staying horizontal at will and/or changing positions when I want to - if there is no excessive task-loading. Add dragging a float or anything that tends to pull me upwards, and I occasionally regress, and have e.g. my legs float.

However, there is some imbalance somewhere. I can look between my legs (behind me) without falling on my head since it’s not usually done with momentum. However, if I am to peek over, say, a ledge in a spur of a moment I might end up going head over heels or at least flailing not to.

I made my buddy watch me, drained my wing and closed my eyes in horizontal position. When in deeper water with full tank I’d stay horizontal for a good while but in shallow water (about 15-20ft) with less than 1000 PSI in my HP80, I would feel movement beginning immediately: My head sinking, my feet shooting up, and without buddy interfering I would have landed on my back in a haste. My feet weren’t escaping towards the surface (I am actually really surprised) but the speed my head went down just slung the lower body straight up and stood me on my head before beginning to bring me down onto my back with legs last. This pattern was repeated on consequent trial until I became a bit too dizzy to amuse my buddy any more.

Now how to address this problem? My configuration is TransPac with Oxycheq 45lbs wing. Tank is Faber HP80 and set as low on my back as it goes. I use Transweight16 integrated pockets which I have tested on different locations. Currently pockets (with 3lbs in each) are set nearly as far back as they go for convenience - the location of the weight pockets does not seem to make much difference with so little in them. I dive in 7+4mm right now, my fins are slightly negatively buoyant, and I do not carry any other items that have any considerable weight/buoyancy that should affect this deal.

I am considering a STA to be able to drop my tank a bit. I am not yet sure if this is the best way to go to correct the issue. Since I can manage the problem (if I keep my eyes open!) I don’t want to rush into anything but would like to hear suggestions on what I might have overlooked. Thanks,

 

[CIBDiving]

It's that bottle that's causing you grief! it's 6 lbs neg empty!

 

[piikki]

It's that bottle that's causing you grief! it's 6 lbs neg empty!

Yep, stumpy Fabers were the only 'leftover' steel tanks available at LDS this summer. I don't regret a sec that I got them since they are still waiting for the Worthingtons and PSTs that were supposed to arrive all summer... And noway was I going to buy alum for all the grief they gave me with my flying butt syndrome. Also, I am not sorry at all I got to ditch 16lbs from my belt - if the price is an occasional lead brain dip it was well worth it. I was hoping I could master that too but looks like the dive gurus are mute

 

[CIBDiving]

Yep, stumpy Fabers were the only 'leftover' steel tanks available at LDS this summer. I don't regret a sec that I got them since they are still waiting for the Worthingtons and PSTs that were supposed to arrive all summer... And noway was I going to buy alum for all the grief they gave me with my flying butt syndrome.

Tell you what next time you're at 60 ft - let all the air out of your BC and try swimming that boat anchor to the surface. :11:

Don't go with a STA it'll move that bottle even farther away from your body and only make things worse. Moving the pockets as far forward as they'll go will help a little.

 

[piikki]

Tell you what next time you're at 60 ft - let all the air out of your BC and try swimming that boat anchor to the surface. :11:

Nah, I'll let my buddy or the SMB do the job But at least I dont need to sit around and worry about the exemption with these little guys.

Don't go with a STA it'll move that bottle even farther away from your body and only make things worse.

Yes? I thought some of them are supposed to move the tank barely 1/4" further?? I would not have thought that'd make much of a difference.

Moving the pockets as far forward as they'll go will help a little.

As said, I haven't notice much difference having the pockets back vs front. In front they are just most 'on my way' because the design of the pockets sucks. I wonder if that does contribute some to the problem because the weights slosh up and down in the pockets. (The quality is bad too, ppl don't get these! I've used them less than 10 dives and the seams are coming apart.)

 

[Tavi]

Where are you in Upstate NY??

If you don't want to post here, PM Me.

I may be able to help.

 

[piikki]

Where are you in Upstate NY??

If you don't want to post here, PM Me.

I may be able to help.

Hi Tavi,

I see you have marked Rochester down for your location. I think that is a bit far from me (Saratoga County) but then again where do people dive around your area? Buddy and I are planning to return to St Lawrence Seaway before this season is over but would not mind finding other locations in the upstate NY area either. Even if you are not able to help with this particular issue, feel free to educate about northern spots

 

[Tavi]

Hi Tavi,

I see you have marked Rochester down for your location. I think that is a bit far from me (Saratoga County) but then again where do people dive around your area? Buddy and I are planning to return to St Lawrence Seaway before this season is over but would not mind finding other locations in the upstate NY area either. Even if you are not able to help with this particular issue, feel free to educate about northern spots

There really isn't much near Rochester. We have a couple nice wrecks near Pultneyville. They are Boat dives not shore dives.

We had a nice spot for shore dives and practice on Canandagua Lake, We hear that now it's closed to divers.

I make it up to the St Lawrence 2 or 3 times each year.

Most of my diving this year has been in Lake Erie.

Have you thought of maybe putting some weight in your Tank Boot to lower your center of gravity?? from what you've posted, it wouldn't need to be much.
I don't think lowering the tank is a good idea, especially if it makes it harder to reach your valve.

Hope this helps!!

 

[MASS-Diver]

If this guy is near you, you should really look him up. He's the best instructor I've ever met and certainly can fix your trim. http://www.allaboutscuba.com/

Video is a great way to learn if your trim is really on point, lots of people "feel" great, but they have awful trim.

 

[piikki]

Have you thought of maybe putting some weight in your Tank Boot to lower your center of gravity?? from what you've posted, it wouldn't need to be much.
I don't think lowering the tank is a good idea, especially if it makes it harder to reach your valve.
Hope this helps!![/QUOTE]

Like INside the boot? Now that I would not have thought, and am curious especially since tanks are in the shop and I am wondering how I would accomplish that... It's tempting sounding because rump/feet are were my floatiness resides (lost a lot of muscle in those areas due to injury - can't believe atrophy would do this, it was supposed to be fat that floats!) However, I already have so much weight on the backside due to the tank... but so many people have all of theirs there because they dive bp and get rid of weight belt altogether so.... am I right?

You are right about the amount needed though. For what I can guess we are talking about max 2 lbs imbalance. I have the same problem whether I dive my 7mm or 7+4mm. With 7mm I have only 4 lbs to play with anyway if I don't drop the tank. I hadn't thought about reaching the valves at all (am not that advanced I guess - never thought I'd touch them for any other reason but tracing hoses but I see your point).

I'll need to investigate the boot issue when tanks come home for weekend.

MASS-Diver - what kind of course did you take with Sherwood? Binghampton really isn't too far. Is he hardcore or could rec diver who wants to improve skills and avoid bad habits from beginning benefit from his instruction and not be traumatized?

Thanks