Whats with ankle weights?

[TSandM]

It's awfully hard to put down any hard and fast rules, because as soon as you do, you'll find a combination of person and undergarment and suit that just won't fit. Bob Sherwood spent an entire MORNING convinced he could trim me out in LP72s, and at the end of it, he a) acknowledged that I have to carry as much weight as I do, and b) concluded that no combination of weights was going to trim out those tanks and me. Ankle weights would have done it, but I don't want to wear them, so I leave the 72s to Peter, who can't trim them out either but doesn't care.

 

[gcbryan]

Saspotato and Bob regarding your student Julie are we talking about drysuits with attached boots or socks?

 

[DaleC]

Youir cupcake has a stern expression and leaves me feeling you're less than completely approachable.

 

[Sas]

Saspotato and Bob regarding your student Julie are we talking about drysuits with attached boots or socks?

Attached boots.

 

[elan]

It's awfully hard to put down any hard and fast rules, because as soon as you do, you'll find a combination of person and undergarment and suit that just won't fit. Bob Sherwood spent an entire MORNING convinced he could trim me out in LP72s, and at the end of it, he a) acknowledged that I have to carry as much weight as I do, and b) concluded that no combination of weights was going to trim out those tanks and me. Ankle weights would have done it, but I don't want to wear them, so I leave the 72s to Peter, who can't trim them out either but doesn't care.

Where do you place your weight ? My first dive with them was awful. I was sinking head down big time. When I put all extra weight I need with them (10lb) on the tail - in the farthest position (in a form of X-weight) they trimmed out so nice that I think my HP100 will be getting more vacation time now.

 

[wedivebc]

I have it on good authority that AG put ankle weights in his drysuit pockets while teaching a fundies course.

 

[Sas]

I have it on good authority that AG put ankle weights in his drysuit pockets while teaching a fundies course.

For those of us that have no idea who AG is or what this is implying, could you please explain this further?

Also are ankle weights allowed in Fundies? I was thinking of doing this course, and I imagine they would not be allowed, so what is the solution for me given it is so difficult to trim out without them? Just grin it and bare it whilst floating on my head underwater? (serious question, despite flippant tone)

 

[Chocula]

As I've written before, ankle weights are ONLY for newbies and sissies and other low life. REAL divers use Jets and spring straps because they KNOW there's no reason to have any weight on their feet.

So what exactly is the difference between Jet fins and having neutral or positively buoyant fins with ankle weights? You still end up with your ankles being weighted. Maybe if I line my fin pockets with a bit of lead, I will have the same affect but "look" more DIR?

With my current wetsuit, I have the choice of reaching my tank valve or wearing ankle weights to stay trim. I could switch to a different tank, but I like the little mid pressure steel 72's, especially when beach diving. I could switch to Jet fins, but I am very happy with my current fins and find them much more comfortable than Jets.

I think that achieving balance is much more important than if it involves ankle weights or not. To each their own. I will try not to make fun of your Jet fins if you don't make fun of my ankle weights.

 

[Sas]

So what exactly is the difference between Jet fins and having neutral or positively buoyant fins with ankle weights? You still end up with your ankles being weighted. Maybe if I line my fin pockets with a bit of lead, I will have the same affect but "look" more DIR?

I wear ankle weights but I can still see a big difference between heavier fins and ankle weights. Though I do think Peter made a good point - often people who have floaty feet can be fixed with heavier fins, and then they go on to bag out others who need more weight than that. I have both myself.

But compared to fins - ankle weights can fall off and they are also another entanglement point. They are also one more thing to forget when gearing up (I did this recently and had a most uncomfortable dive). The weight is also distrubuted better in my experience. If I had the the choice between wearing heavy fins v ankle weights for the same effect, I would pick heavy fins any day.

 

[JeffG]

I have it on good authority that AG put ankle weights in his drysuit pockets while teaching a fundies course.

He had two lb weights in each of his pockets for my fundi's class. (Not ankle weights..but similar)