matt_unique
Guest
NWGratefulDiver:OK ... so I finally get a suit that gives me adequate freedom of motion, and I STILL can't reach my valves.
Tried it with both singles and doubles ... and my arms just don't seem to want to bend that way.
Without the rig on, I can reach back and touch the small of my back. In singles I can reach my first stage easily, but when I "walk" my fingers over to the valve, the tendons in my shoulder feel like they're ready to pop. I can just barely manage to touch the valve, but not enough to grasp and turn it.
In doubles I can reach my manifold valve, but fuggedabout reaching either cylinder valve ... it ain't even close.
Friends who dive doubles tell me this is unusual. Are there some recommended stretching exercises out there for gaining "lateral" flexibility in my joints? Or perhaps there's some technique I'm missing out on?
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
I had the same problem when I first started diving doubles. I dive neoprene dry and with winter thermals I don't have optimum reach. Shift your bands down on your tanks a bit to raise the position of the valves. I shifted mine just a few inches and it made all the difference in the world.
Bottom line you need to be able to reach your valves. That is much more important than any other adjustments you may need to make if a band shift affects your trim for example.
--Matt