Backward kick issue...

[cerich]

Tim, when you say "spinning my wheels" do you mean you're doing the backwards kick and not going anywhere?

thats how most of us do the first hundred attempts or so....

In fact I just got off the phone with a Tech Tmix and cave instr who can't do it, I was suggesting she learn...:huh:

 

[TSandM]

No -- I was saying that I, myself, will move some weight down a little -- I have my plate and 2 lbs on the upper camband. If it's all on your waist already, the only thing I could think of would be either ankle weights (yeucch) or an Al plate and more weight belt weight. But that might not be the problem, anyway -- I'll look at the video, and we'll get it copied and send it to you. Maybe you were just tired?

 

[LG Diver]

I have absolutely nothing to contribute, other than to say where else but SB can one use the terms butt-light and butt-high with a straight face :mooner:

Sorry.

 

[kidspot]

TSandM - Can't say I was tired, as this happens at the end of every dive - as soon as the tank goes light. It's fairly consistent till then. Let me know what the video shows - you've got a good eye for that kind of stuff...

Cerich - Took me about 30 dives to get it the first time, and another 50 to get it consistent. Other than this "end of dive" issue... It may just be a learning issue just like earlier on with full tanks. I will try a more head up position next time to see if that helps. Oddly enough the first time I "nailed" it was right after switching to diving dry - all of a sudden it made sense. Took a bit when I switched back to diving wet, but it really helped the pieces fall into place.

Aloha, Tim

 

[wb416]

Try this explanation on for size:
http://www.bayareadivers.net/wb416/reports/BackKickTechnique.shtm

Exaggerate the part of the stroke where your feet should drop back and let them go back as far as possible. This may help as your tank psi is dropping and your "back end" is being lifted a few degrees higher in the water relative to your head. Also, keep your head lifted to help mitigate this.

Good luck!

 

[limeyx]

crane your head up more, it forces your butt down.

Or extend your legs out away from you more to counteract it.
This is however easier said than done -- usually an issue in doubles (esp for me -- i am really head heavy in steel doubles)

there are other ways but they all involve substituting gear for skills

 

[kidspot]

oddly enough my feet are not negative with Jets on - my boots seem to offset them and they are very close to neutral... I've considered 1/2# ankle weights, just enough to give me a little "leverage"... but I really don't like that idea...would rather work on the skill side of things until it's shown that won't work (and I'm definitely not there at this point)


Thanks for the continued ideas though.

 

[sharky60]

alright! a fellow "JetFinner"!

I don't know, techique looks REAL good!

may just be a bouyancy issue due to less air. you could be causing some "lift" with the kick that doesn't show up until your air is low

 

[cool_hardware52]

So my backward kick is finally becoming semi-reliable... except when I near the last 800psi in my AL80's. Peterguy asked to video me on a dive we did a couple of days ago at the end of the dive (about 600psi). I had been fine all through the dive, using it to keep an eye on the whole group without holding everyone up (they were following me, but everyone was a bit spread out), once I got to the last of my air I felt like I was spinning my wheels. I assume it's due to the positive bouyancy and that my trim is getting thrown off by it. I was still neutral in the water, and had no air in my wing at this point (about 6-8ft depth). Suggestions to get over this "bump" in the road? Anyone else have this problem?

Mahalo, Tim

Bigger tanks, shorter dives?


I've never really noticed a difference between full bottles and near empty, but most of my back kicking has been with doubles, I don't think I've ever tried with a near empty AL80.

I do know that unless I concentrate and ARCH my back I go pretty much no where regardless of how much gas I have left.

Tobin

 

[TSandM]

On the dive in question, we were not only diving pretty empty tanks, but we were in under ten feet of water with a fair amount of surge. It was all I could do to stay DOWN under those conditions, let alone think about back kicking