Wing trim roll issue

[Rick Inman]

I have two STA's and they both work fine. I never get that feeling of turtling. I dont know what everyone's problem is with an STA. Never messed my dive up. BTW, do you actually know the distance that a FREDT STA actually brings the cylinder away from your back? I mean, we are not talking about a big number here, its less than half an inch.

I measured my Fred T 2 pc STA yesterday. Just less than 3/16ths. So, almost nothing, and therefore, no measurable effect.

Rick,
As noted, the reason for the instability is that the longitudinal axis of the tank (and combined weight "above" you) is high enough above the longitudinal axis of your body that when you roll laterally that weight wants to continue rolling laterally.

Best thing to do is reduce the height of the (longitudinal axis of the) weight above you. Best way to do that, initially, is to reduce weight period - to an extent that is safe.

Next thing is to improve lateral stability by re-locating weight - including bottles. On the bottles. One of the better ways to carry argon is with a 6 cu ft tank attached to the backplate along the left side. UP has a series of photos of a mount he made. It works well, and doesn't cost much. If you want one that works well and costs a whole bunch, check this one out:
http://www.halcyon.net/exposure/accessories01.shtml

Halfway down, the 6cuft item: photo is not good, but the two small bands bolt to the side of the bp.

If you're going to carry a bailout bottle, one of the best ways to do so is slung as a deco bottle. This allows you to ensure that no gas loss will occur (by turning off the valve), but that you can turn the tank on and use it rapidly as the valve is in front of you. Also, if hung up or entangled, you can more easily remove or untangle a situation that you can get at and see. Additionally, this puts the weight of the valve and regulator down beneath you instead of to the side off your single - which adds to lateral instability.

FWIW. YMMV.

Sounds good! Anyone want to trade a 13 for a 6?

 

[simbrooks]

Sounds good! Anyone want to trade a 13 for a 6?

Does FredT take back old BP's as a trade in for a new BP?? BTW, no, until i get a drysuit i have more than enough weighting for my 3mm - then i will look for an AL BP for the steel tanks that are on order (cut back on more weight), probably then back to the SS for a drysuit and double steels with the AL for travel - so much use for a metal plate - doubles as a serving platter when you run out during a BBQ too

 

[LioKai]

I have two STA's and they both work fine. I never get that feeling of turtling. I dont know what everyone's problem is with an STA. Never messed my dive up. BTW, do you actually know the distance that a FREDT STA actually brings the cylinder away from your back? I mean, we are not talking about a big number here, its less than half an inch.

The measurement that you should be taking is from your spine to the tank, not the thickness of the STA. When you factor the curve of the PB designed to attach to the bands between a set of doubles + the STA, the tank is quite far away from your spine in comparision to either the doubles or a flat BP that is designed for single tank use.

LUBOLD, you say that it never messed your dive up, and I am sure that this is true, but Rick was having a problem and was asking for suggestions so I offered this bit of info.

Rick, glad to hear that the problems you were having are beginning to clear up.

 

[LUBOLD8431]

As Rick has attested, his problems were remedied with the removal of the two ponies (one on each side of him), not the STA nor the BP.