Trim? Let's discuss how to manage trim

[Andrew Richardson]

OK - My hope here is to explore how to manage trim. Put forward your ideas of what makes good & bad trim; how to assess your trim; how do you adjust your trim; what effect does equipment choices and equipment configuration have on trim.

I'm not, but pretend you are writing a adventure dive chapter on "Trim". Go beyond what PADI has to say in peak performance bouyancy.

Andrew

 

[loosebits]

A diver is a lever (aka a see-saw). You need to be neutral on both sides of the fulcrum (or slightly negative in the head and slightly positive in the feet). Trim can be most easily adjusted by making sure you have your weight in the right place and your BC/wing in the right place. Adjustments that can be easily made include going from AL to steel tanks, straping weights on tanks, moving tanks further up or down, adding or removing weight to trim pockets, moving bands, moving the wing, changing fins (turtles vs something far more buoyant), changing backplate material (AL, SS), etc.

How to assess it? Well it should obvious where your feet are in relation to your head.

Here's an example of good trim:

http://picasaweb.google.com/loosebits/AkumalCavePhotos/photo#4952336997438849042

 

[jepuskar]

To effectively manage my trim, I lift weights 3-4 times a week, as well as run on a treadmill 3-4 times a week as well. This keeps me nice and trim.

Now that will be $100.00 Andrew. Please deposit into my bank account. You know which bank I'm at.

 

[dlndavid]

Trim is in your head, you feel where you are in the water and with proper weighting you adjust in any given situation.

 

[HowardE]

Trim is in your head, you feel where you are in the water and with proper weighting you adjust in any given situation.

I agree. Trim is 1/2 weight, and 1/2 mental. You can't be in trim if you don't envision yourself trimmed out.

While proper weighting is important... it's not the whole thing.

Many people talk about tank sizes, as being a factor... I have dived from an AL63 to a steel 120, and my trim is always fine. It's all about your attitude, and obviously, there is skill involved... but proper Buoyancy and a good mind set, and you'll find your trim soon enough.

 

[xiSkiGuy]

The best way to assess trim is to get neutral and horizontal in the water and then stop all movement (especially fining or kicking). See if you remain in horizontal trim or if you "tip" head down or feet down. If you tip one way or the other, make some of the adjustments loosebits suggested and try again.

WARNING: This line of questioning often leads people to purchase BP/Ws. . .

 

[loosebits]

I agree. Trim is 1/2 weight, and 1/2 mental. You can't be in trim if you don't envision yourself trimmed out.

While proper weighting is important... it's not the whole thing.

That is true while swimming but as soon as you stop moving, you'll see what your natural position in the water is. Unless you're properly balanced, you'll either go head down or feet down or you'll roll to the left of right.

 

[HowardE]

That is true while swimming but as soon as you stop moving, you'll see what your natural position in the water is. Unless you're properly balanced, you'll either go head down or feet down or you'll roll to the left of right.

What do you refer to drifting as? Swimming or just being neutral??

 

[Scuba_Steve]

OK - My hope here is to explore how to manage trim. Put forward your ideas of what makes good & bad trim; how to assess your trim; how do you adjust your trim; what effect does equipment choices and equipment configuration have on trim.

I'm not, but pretend you are writing a adventure dive chapter on "Trim". Go beyond what PADI has to say in peak performance bouyancy.

Andrew

I'm everywhere Andrew, you're just going to have to get in the water with me so I can show you

I even recall mentioning I would work with YOUR gear that you currently own,...not my personal preference, but I understand, and of course we can trim a brick out if we have too. (Actually that might be even easier. lol)

Of course you would (and have) seen what I and my assistant wear, and how it is much easier to trim that type of gear in our opinion.

I'm at the 'spot' again this saturday more than likely, and I have no real formal class going on which means free time for you.....I can guarantee you'd be writing that Padi PPB class outline by the end of the day Not that you'd have it all down, but at least you'd have the required information to be able to skillfully and effectively work this out on your own (with your buddy) using techniques that we will show you.

Talking about it alone will never make it happen. Gotta get wet brother.

Regards bud

(BTW, you know I'm riding your butt in a nice-guy kind of way, call/e-mail me if you can make it).

Steve R.

 

[TSandM]

I'd write something, but Joe's already done it better than I can here.