Pinecube
Contributor
1.) DSS, BP/W, and Tobin's short inflator hose
I'm not sure what the proper thumb/pointer finger form is, but I did find that I had to find a way to tie my inflator to the strap so that I wouldn't have to search for it. A small piece of bungee works. Otherwise I do the vast majority of dumping air from the butt dump. I find it much easier to reach down and back than to pull the inflator up and back over your shoulder to dump. (note that this wont work if you're vertical)
2.) BP/W and a weight belt makes it hard to ditch weight if ever needed
As much as "you shouldn't have to ditch weight" i'm not convinced that it's good advice for beginners. It takes time to get that level of comfort in the water. I imagine myself at the surface, panicked (because murphy's law dictates I wont be calm trying to do this), trying franticially to unthread a weight belt, or cut off my wing.
Maybe I'm missing something, but I just wear my weight belt overtop of my harness.
3.) Slight over weighting as a beginner?
If you're in an uncontrolled ascent at 15-20' I wouldnt be worried about "perfect form". I'd be dumping air, trying to swim down.
A lot of what you're talking about with bouyancy control comes with experience. Controlling bouyancy with your breathing isn't something that comes natural to most people, it sure didnt for me. An extra 2lbs wont hurt, but you may find over time that you can shed some weight even from where you are now.
4.) Proper weight distribution
Everyone comes in different shapes and sizes, where the weights work on me may not work for you.
I'm not sure what the proper thumb/pointer finger form is, but I did find that I had to find a way to tie my inflator to the strap so that I wouldn't have to search for it. A small piece of bungee works. Otherwise I do the vast majority of dumping air from the butt dump. I find it much easier to reach down and back than to pull the inflator up and back over your shoulder to dump. (note that this wont work if you're vertical)
2.) BP/W and a weight belt makes it hard to ditch weight if ever needed
As much as "you shouldn't have to ditch weight" i'm not convinced that it's good advice for beginners. It takes time to get that level of comfort in the water. I imagine myself at the surface, panicked (because murphy's law dictates I wont be calm trying to do this), trying franticially to unthread a weight belt, or cut off my wing.
Maybe I'm missing something, but I just wear my weight belt overtop of my harness.
3.) Slight over weighting as a beginner?
If you're in an uncontrolled ascent at 15-20' I wouldnt be worried about "perfect form". I'd be dumping air, trying to swim down.
A lot of what you're talking about with bouyancy control comes with experience. Controlling bouyancy with your breathing isn't something that comes natural to most people, it sure didnt for me. An extra 2lbs wont hurt, but you may find over time that you can shed some weight even from where you are now.
4.) Proper weight distribution
Everyone comes in different shapes and sizes, where the weights work on me may not work for you.