Unable to do skills - help!

[Abratty]

36 Pounds sounds like alot of weight, but dont give up. My wife is 5'4 (on good days when she stands up really tall with high heels on a few books) and weighs 90 pounds. She used to dive with 28 pounds I think as a beginning diver so she was also tired after the swim from shore. If you are going do do a shore dive to demonstrate your skills, rest on the surface until you are ready to descend, no one should rush you. All you have to do is float.

You might also try stripping some weight off that weight belt.

 

[Jason B]

How is going to steel going to solve the problem. I understand that going to steel will allow weight to be removed from the weight belt...but isn't that because steel is heavier than aluminum...meaning no real weight loss, just a shift of where it's located?
Thanks for any insight.

jason

 

[tbuckalew]

Yes, it would just readjust the location of the weight, but by redistributing the total weight to different parts of the body, one can usually carry it a bit better. Also, with all that weight on a belt, your hips bear the brunt by allowing the weight to rest on them. This can lead to extra fatique that adds to the problems.

Whenever large amounts of weight are needed, it always helps to distribute it a bit.

 

[Nomaster]

Hi there. I'm a beginner learning to dive in the beautiful but frigid waters of Vancouver, Canada. I attempted to certify this weekend and couldn't, and I'm devestated. I'm about 5'7 and 110 pounds, and I'm wearing a neoprene drysuit, 36 pound weight belt, 20 pound tank, and about 10 pounds of other equipment. The problem is that by the time I get in the water, I'm so exhausted that I can't do any skills. I'm really frustrated and bitterly disappointed, and would love any advice anyone has to give, since I'm not ready to give up yet! Thank you!

Nothing to add but words of encouragement.
If you read through and digest what's here, you will find most of your answers. Some better answers will probably be forthcoming when you answer the questions that contributors have asked.
Many of us, even hefty guys like me, suffer fatigue from carrying too much weight, rest, relax, then dive. Continue relaxing and resting as needed while diving. Recreational diving is supposed to be relaxing.
But then there was heavy surf and surge this weekend. Getting through the surf was taxing for many, the surge too, because they chose to work rather than to go with the flow, the surge helped me.
I guess I'm trying to say, find ways to make it easier.

Tom

 

[sprinz]

So I guess that the synopsis is to work out for a few weeks and then try again...(sigh).The pool I was in was really warm, so we didn't have the drysuits on, and therefore the weight thing wasn't so much of an issue. I couldn't stand up with my tank on without falling backwards, but I just started walking around like Quasimodo from the Hunchback of Notre Dame, and it was do-able.

Thanks for all the advice, and I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[Ishie]

I'm 5'3, but I work out. When I first started scuba-ing, the gear would exhaust and overheat me. I really had to take it easy going into the water otherwise the exhaustion would make me more prone to seasickness. You should be able to take weight off your belt now, and more so when you get more into it (though I'm unfamiliar with the special weight adaptation for drysuit diving). I started diving with 26, then 24, now I'm at 20 without a problem.

Also, the more you do it, the more you get used to the gear. Used to be that I'd get the kit off me on the beach if I could just to get it off. I proved to myself how much better I am because on one dive off Lover's, we forgot the camera, I sighed, walked back along the beach, back up the flight of stairs, across the park, back across the park, back down the flight of stairs, back across the beach and to the entry point and only felt a little hot. Ditch some weight, slow down, stick with it, and work out a little in the meantime (though don't do intensive weight training the day before a dive). You'll be fine!

Ishie

 

[shaneevans1]

So I guess that the synopsis is to work out for a few weeks and then try again...(sigh).The pool I was in was really warm, so we didn't have the drysuits on, and therefore the weight thing wasn't so much of an issue. I couldn't stand up with my tank on without falling backwards, but I just started walking around like Quasimodo from the Hunchback of Notre Dame, and it was do-able.

Thanks for all the advice, and I'll let you know how it goes.

Hi, I am a new diver, but an old bodybuilder.. a few exercises that would specifically help you where you need it most. light (10#) weights, do walking lunges. The kind where you step out and touch your back knee to the ground. It will help your leg, hip flexor, back, and glutes (back). Most importantly and YOU WILL SEE ALMOST IMMEDIATE improvement, it will help your balancing muscles. The Swat gear I wear approaches what my scuba gear weighs, and we are expected to run, jump and climb in it, so I do walking lunges. As much as I hate them.

Flutter kicks. Lay on your back, hands under your butt, raise both legs 5 inches off the ground, and act like you are kicking your fins. About 4 inch kicks. Abs, hip flexors, and back. You do only these two exercises for two weeks, three times a week, and you will be amazed. I promise. The walking lunges, you need to concentrate on keeping your back and upper body at 90 degrees to the ground. That is what makes those balance muscles work.

I hope you get your card soon. Dont quit, and let us know once you make it!!!

I hoped this helps!!

 

[voop]

How is going to steel going to solve the problem. I understand that going to steel will allow weight to be removed from the weight belt...but isn't that because steel is heavier than aluminum...meaning no real weight loss, just a shift of where it's located?
Thanks for any insight.

jason

Actually steel-cylinders, in general, displace much less water than alu: aly-cylinders have a larger external volume for the same internal volume, than a steel-cylinder (alu-cylinders have thicker walls). Also, whereas alu-cylinders often start negatively bouyant and, when empty, are a bit positively bouyant, steel stays negative throughout the entire dive.

So the bottom line is, that with alu, the total weight needed (belt + cylinder) is greater than with steel.

Personally, I dive with steel unless nothing else is available. I can't really see many situations where alu is preferable.

 

[ScubaNorth]

OK well I see a few things going on here. One is that the gym is a good idea but not the only answer. My dive partner is my workout partner and fairly strong but when we started diving he had the same problem and called a few dives. Swim lessons helped build stamina and strength and now he is much better. Second is the steel tank will help you lose some of the weight (total weight that is) and this will help. Lastly is, can you train with a wet suit (how cold is that water)? Dry suit diving is a skill in it's self but if you are in frigid water I guess you have no choice. I think your instructor should be able to help pinpoint better than anyone on the board can, we have very limit info. Stick with it you won't be sorry.

 

[H2Andy]

So I guess that the synopsis is to work out for a few weeks and then try again...(sigh).

well, in the short run, i would follow some of the advice that
has been given:

1. don't rush it. it's easy to get winded while suiting up

2. suit up as close to the water as possible to minimize effort

3. get to the water in stages if need be. take a little break
BEFORE you get exhausted.

also, you might consider putting your weights and gear on
in the water. it will take extra skill and some getting used to,
but you can do it.

good luck!