Trim Issue

[skdvr]

OK, here is a short clip from a dive last weekend, and I am looking for some input on my trim issue... You will have to pardon the camera drop a few sec into the video. I think that my buddy had it attached to his hand and did not realize it...

Anyway, this is my thought on what is going on... I am obviously head up a bit to much, which I really do not feel. Although when I flip upside down I sink so to me that was telling me that I am not actually neutral and I am infact swimming upward to keep my self at a constant depth... Like I said I do not really notice that I am head up, I flip myself over occasionally to check and I seem to be a bit heavy more often than not...

My question is, what do you think I may be able to do to help. I know that this video is only a few sec long, just looking for suggestions. I am going to have to break my doubles down in a month or so for cleaning and vis, so do you think I should slide the bands down just a touch to get more weight higher on my body?


http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll34/pebalsamo/th_DSCF1036.jpg (http://s284.photobucket.com/albums/ll34/pebalsamo/?action=view&current=DSCF1036.flv)

Thanks...

Phil

[theskull]

Phil,

First off, you are not kicking upwards--video shows this.
Second, everyone sinks when they flip over upside down--I have read several opinions on why, none of which make sense to me.
The video does show that when you are not kicking your body is trying to reach an equilibrium by dropping your feet lower.

Solutions:
1. In my opinion, do not move the tank bands. You should be able to grab any set of doubles with the bands in the standard place and dive them.
2. Can you move the wing a little lower on your body?
3. Might add a small V weight or just throw a soft 2-pounder into the space between your doubles and place it up high to affect your balance point.
4. A little more air in your drysuit, and hold your legs so that the air will migrate down to them.
5. In addition to any of the above, or other, mechanical fixes, you will also find that you can change the way you "hold" your body while in the water and greatly affect your trim in this way--hard to describe, but it comes with practice.

theskull

[skdvr]

Thanks, how does one go about getting a v-weight... They are pretty much all home made arnt they???

Thanks
Phil

[theskull]

They can be bought from tech operations such as Extreme Exposure in High Springs, FL, but shipping will get ya.

You probably suspected I know a guy who makes them, huh? ;)

Will e-mail his contact info to you. You basically want what most refer to as a tail weight (half length secured by one bolt) that most divers who find themselves head-heavy use to tip down--and you could secure it to your top bolt for your own particular need.

theskull

[skdvr]

Thanks, got the email....

I figured you would know someone local...

Phil

[Scuba Kat]

Phil thanks for posting this. Gives those of us newbies to doubles opportunities to learn as well

[do it easy]

I thought this was a question about hooking up p-valves! :D


I agree with Bill- being upside down messes with your buoyancy.

I think the real test is to see what happens when you sit still, sculling as little as possible. If your feet drop then you are butt heavy. If they don't then you are probably balanced and just need to adjust- kinda like a balanced teeter-totter that is pushed to one side. My guess is if you look down, your body will follow.

Keep in mind that trim is a tool. When I'm looking around, I'll bring my head up and my body will follow. When I'm swimming, I'll drop my head to level out as much as possible so that I am swimming efficiently. If you are on an unlevel bottom or surface, then you'll want to match your trim so that you don't kick up the silt.

One thing that helps me is to feel the isolator on the back of my head and the tank boots on my butt. I imagine the line between them and that gives me an idea of where my trim is. It's not scientific, but you'll get a feel for what it feels like. Another exercise is to find a level surface and hover over it. Drop down slowly and you'll feel the lowest part of your body hit first. It might be your knees or might be your stomach or thighs. This will give you an idea of where you are.

Good luck and enjoy the practice!

[dive4you82]

It's always my belly hitting first. Darn!!!

[b1gcountry]

It's always my belly hitting first. Darn!!!
If your belly hits first, does that mean you're not 'trim'?

Tom

[dive4you82]

If your belly hits first, does that mean you're not 'trim'?

Tom


You might be right

[skdvr]

'trim'?

Tom
Funny Man....

Phil