What is Trim?

[boulderjohn]

I think my bc has pouches on the back on either side of the tank. Maybe I should move some of my weight up to there?
Could the weight there cause a tendency to roll over?

Absolutely put some weight there. Put the same amount of weight in each pouch to stay balanced.

 

[dherbman]

You got way more info than maybe you needed, but try to dive level and you'll like it, and so will your ease of propulsion and air consumption.

But, get balanced first or you will be fighting it.

 

[fmw625]

I've been working for some time to achieve the static balance UP was talking about. I dive mosty warm fresh water with only 4# and don't have much to work with. Once I put all 4# on the tank neck and adjusted the heigth of the tank and got pretty close. Then I had nothing to ditch in an emergency. I got heavy feet.

 

[Uncle Pug]

Frank... what kind of fins are you using? I find that my Jets are too heavy using just a 3mil wetsuit... so I compensate.

Hey! Maybe some closed-cell-foam anklets would be the ticket!!!!

 

[scubafool]

and/or could bring his feet closer to his CG. ie Bend at the knees.

Everytime I try that, my ankle weights end up around my knees.

 

[CIBDiving]

This makes no sense to me.


Trim is your orientation in the water column at rest.

Please set me straight.

Trim the the tendancy you have to Change orientation in the water after you come to rest. if you stop moving slightly head up you should stay slightly head up. ther should be no tendancy to rotate in any of the axies. This contrary to what most people who have taken DIRF learn. DIRF is 'fundimentals' and they keep it simple for those beginners.

 

[ScubaMike14]

I thought "trim" was something you got a "piece" of from a member of the opposite sex.

Mike Rushton

 

[Adobo]

I've been working for some time to achieve the static balance UP was talking about. I dive mosty warm fresh water with only 4# and don't have much to work with. Once I put all 4# on the tank neck and adjusted the heigth of the tank and got pretty close. Then I had nothing to ditch in an emergency. I got heavy feet.

I'm the same way with a 3 mil shorty. I can get pretty close doing exactly what you do. I put a real short tank (63 cu. ft maybe) as high up as it will go on my bcd and put some weight on the top tank band. I can stay reasonably horizontal without too much movement. The downside is that to get this close, I have the tank practicaly sitting on my head and I'm still way too over-weighted.

Fortunately, this is only in the pool. In the ocean, the water temp makes it necessary to wear a bunch of exposure protection. This gives me a lot more flexibility as far as weigth distribution.

 

[scubafool]

Have you tried a steel tank?

 

[jagfish]

Frank... what kind of fins are you using? I find that my Jets are too heavy using just a 3mil wetsuit... so I compensate.

Hey! Maybe some closed-cell-foam anklets would be the ticket!!!!

I have the same issue. With 3mm shorty, my legs and fins are hopelessly heavy...

Jim