Trim Question

[David P]

It seems to me, this is a MAJOR reason to buy your own gear. If you have to rent gear each time you dive, wouldnt you have to go through this with the different gear?

 

[Michael Schlink]

ankle weights bad. If you feel like your legs are "floating" have someone take a look at you or if possible have someone shoot a little video to see how your body position is cpompared to how you feel it is. It is OK to have your legs bent at the knees a little. In fact a lot of us dive with our knees bent all the time

 

[MikeFerrara]

It seems to me, this is a MAJOR reason to buy your own gear. If you have to rent gear each time you dive, wouldnt you have to go through this with the different gear?

It is.

An experienced diver could probably fake it pretty well but the newer you are the more important it will be to have some consistancy. This is even more true in colder water when wearing heavy exposure protection and lots more weight.

It's also much easier if a new diver was lucky enough to take a class that schooled them in trim in the first place.

 

[ScubaFreak]

For all of you people who disagree with my ankle weights theory...

I wear 8lbs on a belt and ankle weights in a drysuit- thats not heavy. Ankle weights have never caused me a problem with cramps, tiredness or given me any other 'additional problems.' When my students wear 28-32lbs on their weightbelt, positioning of there weight is NOT really an option cos theres no more room and if their legs are floating higher and this is causing them to get upset and freak out, i'm gonna go with the ankle weights. But unfortunatley thats what happens when ye wear 2piece 7mm semi-dry suits. I don't wear ankle weights when diving in fancy, clear warm waters, but over here- i do- as does 70% of the divers I know.

I totally believe that trim is always about getting the ideal position in the water- ankle weights (for a lot of people) manages to help them do this.

As always- just my $0.02

SF

 

[eponym]

I am a new diver with 15 or so dives. What is the best way to determine where the different weights should be. Sometimes my legs feel a little too bouyant. I know I need to improve my form and would appreciate any advice.

Hi, QD. I used to think my legs ran low in the water, too. I'd second the suggestion to have a buddy evaluate your position. You can also drop your head down and look back between your legs to see where you fins are while you're finning along. It might surprise you--mine tend to be just slightly above my torso, with my knees slightly bent. Check, too, whether you're arching your back.

But I'm still playing with weight disposition, after a hundred dives--it amuses me, I guess. I've even painted centimeter marks on my tanks so I can try changing the BC strap position.

I totally believe that trim is always about getting the ideal position in the water--ankle weights (for a lot of people) manages to help them do this.

If your legs really do run high, QD, you could give ankle weights a try. I used them when I started diving drysuited (1.5 pounds per ankle), but as I dropped weight and suit air I found I didin't need them. For a recreational diver in good physical condition, I doubt they'll create much fatigue.

Fin on,
Bryan

 

[H2Andy]

I've even painted centimeter marks on my tanks so I can try changing the BC strap position.

i have to buy this man a beer!

 

[RDP]

I am a new diver with 15 or so dives. What is the best way to determine where the different weights should be. I have a SeaQuest Pro QD + which has ditchable weight pockets and a nonditchable weight pocket in the back. I have been using 6 lbs total in the ditchable pockets and about 18 lbs on a weight belt. I dive a steel tank and a 7 mil farmer john. Is it just experimentation until I figure out the best distribution or does anyone have any guidance? Sometimes my legs feel a little too bouyant. I know I need to improve my form and would appreciate any advice. :06:

Funny you should make this post. I dive the same BC and had been having problems with my legs wanting to lift. I had a hard time making upright decents, floating on surface without rolling forward, and coming to a rest on my knees (on platforms). I spent this last weekend working on this problem.

I wear a 5mil suit, aluminum 80, and a Pro QD + BC. I had been diving with 8lbs in each ditchable pocket (16lbs total). This setup was on the lowest extreme of how much weight I need.

1st - I added 3.3lb ankle weights and they helped the problem (19.3lb total). I didn't really want to deal with ankle weights, so I took another shot.

2nd - I removed the ankle weights and added a 5lb weight on a belt with the weight in my back (21lb total). This was a little better than the ankle weights and did not feel too heavy, but I thought I could do better.

3rd - I moved the 5lb weight to the tank at the strap. This was trimmed out damn near perfect. Although, I don't really want a weight on the outside of my tank.

Next - I think I can still loose a couple of lbs. of lead so I am going to try lowering my ditchable pockets to 6lbs each (12lbs total) and adding 3lbs to each nonditchable shoulder pocket for 18lbs total.

It just goes to show, you can get all the advise in the world, but nothing works as well as climbing in the water and trying different setups.

Hopes this helps.

 

[quonniediver]

Thanks for the help everyone. I appreciate all your input and experience.