Trimming

[Garrobo]

I recently found out that I'm not as horizontal as I'd like to be in the water. A friend told me that my upper body is about a foot deeper than my feet except when finning. Here's the set up. I use a jacket BC, 2mm shorty, no booties and no hood or gloves. He figured that I was using too much lead since it takes 18 pounds to hold me down at the safety stop. I dropped to 14 but couldn't stay down for the stop at 20 feet with 1200 psi in the AL80. BC was completely empty. That weight was fine on a deep reef. I had to swim down the anchor line and lightly hold on to do the stop. I'm thinking about using 14 pound in the BC and two two pound ankle weights next trip. Any other ideas or suggestions? Keep it clean.

 

[Ber Rabbit]

Where is your lead distributed on your body? Integrated? Weightbelt? Trim pockets?
Ber :lilbunny:

 

[Dive Rite]

Hi Garrobo,

Check out our Solution Finder under the question 'How can I improve my trim?' It should give you some ideas on what you can do to fix your position in the water.

Best,
Ag

 

[hudson]

If the integrated weight of the BC sits higher than where a weight belt would be, move some of it to a weight belt (rubber with wire buckle works great) with the weights positioned towards the rear and sides. Bend your knees more and adopt frog kicks or modified flutter kicks for a more heads up position. I think this is about all you can do. Along the same lines as ankle weights, less buoyant fins may help.

 

[Garrobo]

Ber: I use a DUI weight harness which puts the lead down around your hips.

 

[Garrobo]

Dive Rite::That is a really informative site. Thanks.

 

[spectrum]

Ber: I use a DUI weight harness which puts the lead down around your hips.

Then drop it another inch or 2. That's the beauty of the harness, you are not constrained by your body form.

It sounds like weight movement, not reduction is in order.

Pete

 

[Garrobo]

Spectrum: I got it down to where it's banging my things now.

 

[spectrum]

Spectrum: I got it down to where it's banging my things now.

Okay so the weight can't go lower. :shocked2:

Then ankle weights as you planned or more negative fins.

A low profile mask will reduce your buoyancy at the other end a little. Okay, so I'm digging deep.

 

[Garrobo]

Spectrum:I'm using Force Fins which are a little negative. In the DiveRite website it said something about putting some of the weight in the lower back area of the BC. I might try this and then go to ankle weights if that doesn't help. I didn't even know that I had a problem till this guy said something about it. Maybe I don't have a problem at all but it's just his perception. No one else had said anything about it.