Trim Weights on Tank.. BC question

[Randy43068]

BC question.

I use a Dacor RIGII BC. For the most part I like it, but at the surface it tends to pitch me face down in the water. It’s a struggle keeping my face out of the water, and its very tiring. It worries me a little that if I’d somehow become injured such that I couldn’t stay upright I’d drown. However, I’m not overly concerned of that happening, it’s just a real pain trying to keep my face out of the drink.

I’d like to use a weight on the tank but am concerned that I’ll have a tendency to roll over while at depth. Perhaps that concern is ill founded, perhaps not.

Can anyone share any experiences they have using trim weights on their air tank?

Does anyone have any suggestions how I can either eliminate the face forward pitching or anything else I can do to reduce it?

Maybe I need a new BC. I’d hate to think of getting a new one because this one is only 2 or 3 years old.

Randy

 

[Scubaguy62]

Try a crotch strap. I have an Oceanic Pro-Tour and prior to that an Aqualung Malibu RDS. I didn't have a crotch strap on the Malibu and experienced the same problem. On the Oceanic, I rigged one and while it doesn't keep me vertical 100% as a jacket style, it gets to about 97%, which is good enough for me, given that I don't like jacket style BCs.

Good luck

 

[simbrooks]

Three options:
1. Either put some of your weight on your cam straps (either way away from you for a single weight, or if you have two weights, close in behind your wing), or if there are trim pockets on the back side of you jacket use them (i dont know this BC at all) that should give you weight in the same plane as your buoyancy when vertical at the surface
2. Dont inflate you BC that much, just enough to keep your head out of the water, not your shoulders too - less buoyancy from the wing behind you means you dont tip over that much.
3. Inflate it as much as you can, throw yourself back onto the wing and lie like it is a recliner - this is partly my option, but also i use a BP/Wings and so have 6# already on my back, so dont have the troubles you talk about - nor did i in a Ranger, cos i reclined into the wing.

 

[miketsp]

I have a Mares Synchro Tec BC which is a wing style jacket. Loved by many, hated by many. It really polarises opinions. The point is I bought it in brand new condition, really cheap from an instructor who had problems giving lessons in it because when he was on the surface trying to talk to students he kept getting slammed on his face.
After I bought it I made 2 modifications. I added a crotch strap so it stays perfectly in position and I passed velcro straps through the slots at the bottom of the back plate and glued them in place. These I use to hold trim weights. On the surface I can stay beyond 80degrees without effort. The trim weights are easily reachable even underwater and can be dumped if necessary.
When I ran into the previous owner on a dive trip a couple of months later he was really upset to see the difference just a few cents of investment had made.
PS. Trim weights on the tank are a pain when changing cylinders between dives and just one more thing to snag.

 

[rjchandler]

Less weight in the bc will help.

You should not have rollover problems unless you put a lot of weight on the tank.

Where you put the weight on your tank will affect your trim.

 

[Firefyter]

I have a Zeagle, and I use Sims option #3. I recline back into the wing, and have no trouble with it. I tried adding weight to the back, but it was screwing up my trim. Now i just lay back like on an air mattress, so far so good.

 

[pbr]

I have a Scuba Pro KnightHawk BC with dumpable weights on my hips and trim weight pockets high on the back. Seems to work pretty well and I don't pitch forward.

 

[ShakaZulu]

The design of the TECH BC's encourages the horizontal effect, less energy required to maintain a horizontal position when diving..........

 

[Wreck]

I'm not sure how effective this is, but someone mentioned that you can pull your knees upwards and their natural bouyancy will tilt you backwards somewhat.

 

[donacheson]

BC question.

I use a Dacor RIGII BC. For the most part I like it, but at the surface it tends to pitch me face down in the water. It’s a struggle keeping my face out of the water, and its very tiring. It worries me a little that if I’d somehow become injured such that I couldn’t stay upright I’d drown. However, I’m not overly concerned of that happening, it’s just a real pain trying to keep my face out of the drink.

I’d like to use a weight on the tank but am concerned that I’ll have a tendency to roll over while at depth. Perhaps that concern is ill founded, perhaps not.

Can anyone share any experiences they have using trim weights on their air tank?

Does anyone have any suggestions how I can either eliminate the face forward pitching or anything else I can do to reduce it?

Maybe I need a new BC. I’d hate to think of getting a new one because this one is only 2 or 3 years old.

Randy

With an Aluminum 80, I need about 16 pounds of lead and distrubute it with 8 on my weight belt and 4 on each of two tank bands, keeping the weights on the bands close to the back plate. If I've distributed the weights well with 8 pounds on my left side and 8 on my right, I have no trouble maintaining a face-down attitude underwater. However, when I roll on to my side, the weights are trying to roll me on to my back, but it's not an aggravation.

On the surface, others have given you good advice - a crotch strap and not too much inflation work well.