undrwater
Contributor
I dove a new wetsuit this week for the first time in forever. Typically dive dry. The suit is a 7mm farmer john type. I have a Freedom Plate (~4lbs I think), and distribute weight in a weight belt and in a pocket on the butt portion of my crotch strap.
I did two dives. On the first dive, upon descent I trimmed significantly head down (head down has been problematic for me even in the drysuit). I removed some ankle weights from the belt pocket and had my buddy put them on my ankles. Trim was better, but still a bit head down when settled. As I descended, my trim started to improve, but eventually started to be head up. As I ascended, it changed back to head down. Second dive was less dramatic since I put the ankle weights on my ankles at the outset.
I know that the new neoprene in my legs must be causing this swing as it compresses, but I'm wondering if this is just going to be a "dive it till it settles" kind of thing, or if anyone has run across this before and has some means of controlling for it. I move very little when I'm in the water, so static trim is important to me.
I did two dives. On the first dive, upon descent I trimmed significantly head down (head down has been problematic for me even in the drysuit). I removed some ankle weights from the belt pocket and had my buddy put them on my ankles. Trim was better, but still a bit head down when settled. As I descended, my trim started to improve, but eventually started to be head up. As I ascended, it changed back to head down. Second dive was less dramatic since I put the ankle weights on my ankles at the outset.
I know that the new neoprene in my legs must be causing this swing as it compresses, but I'm wondering if this is just going to be a "dive it till it settles" kind of thing, or if anyone has run across this before and has some means of controlling for it. I move very little when I'm in the water, so static trim is important to me.