Trim issues

[Wijbrandus]

Ok, I've got my weighting down to where I'm fairly neutral in my "normal" getup. Now I'm trying to work on pitch. I'm foot heavy, and I go vertical when I stop all movement.

Do I need to raise or lower my tank on my plate? AL80, and I use a bp/w.

 

[jonnythan]

Maybe you need to adjust your foot position. Make sure that wherever you put your tank, you can reach the valve OK.

 

[Mr Carcharodon]

Ok, I've got my weighting down to where I'm fairly neutral in my "normal" getup. Now I'm trying to work on pitch. I'm foot heavy, and I go vertical when I stop all movement.

Do I need to raise or lower my tank on my plate? AL80, and I use a bp/w.

Raising you tank is the first thing to do. You should be able to touch the valve and the bottom of the tank. Its really amazing how many divers I see walking around with the bottom of their tanks at knee level. Look in a mirror, or ask someone.

Do you have all your weight around your waist (except for your backplate)? Regular hard weights treaded through a tank band works well. Try a 2 or 3 pound weight on your top tank band and see how it works. Just keep tinkering until it works out. Oh, and do check your trim at the beginning and the end of the dive. If the tank the misplaced its effect on trim will change as it emties out.

 

[OE2X]

First I would try Jonnythan's idea. Also make sure your knees form an even plane with your hips.

Second do what Mr Charcharodon has advised.

I find with my PST's that if my top tank band isn't right at the crown of the tank I go head heavy.

 

[Wijbrandus]

I use a 7 pound plate, and 10 pounds in a harness.

I tend to mount my tank high already, I'll try moving it up farther. It may still not be high enough then. I do like the idea of putting some weight on the upper tank band. Might be all I need.

 

[Diver0001]

I tend to mount my tank high already, I'll try moving it up farther. It may still not be high enough then. I do like the idea of putting some weight on the upper tank band. Might be all I need.

Moving weight to the upper cam-band is definitely worth a try.

Is swapping your tank out for a steel one a possibility or did you buy the tank?

R..

 

[Wijbrandus]

I use rental tanks. I never thought to ask about renting steel tanks.

Unfortunately, I don't get to dive often enough to warrant my own tanks.

 

[Stirling]

I use a 7 pound plate, and 10 pounds in a harness.

I tend to mount my tank high already, I'll try moving it up farther. It may still not be high enough then. I do like the idea of putting some weight on the upper tank band. Might be all I need.

If the tank is already high on your back, is the harness like the DUI weight & trim, and can you adjust the height at which that weight is carried without interfering with your BP/W harness? Can you move *some* of that weight to a tank strap?

 

[Diver0001]

I use rental tanks. I never thought to ask about renting steel tanks.

Unfortunately, I don't get to dive often enough to warrant my own tanks.

That might work in your favor. Rent a steel 90 (or there abouts) some time and give that a whirl. You'll be able to drop something like 4lbs off of what you have and move another 2 up to the upper cam-band. That will make your weightbelt 6lbs lighter and add two lbs between your shoulders plus the extra weight of the tank. That should help.

R..

 

[ScubaDadMiami]

They make trim weights that you can clip onto your tank so that you can keep your weight higher on your body. You can also look to get a heavier, custom plate. You can dish out the cash to buy steel tanks. So long as you are not bonking your head on the valve and you can still reach your valve, you can move the tank up.

Be happy, most people are too head down oriented. This especially happens when they switch to using a drysuit. Hey, that's it! Buy a drysuit and steel tanks. Problem solved!