New Member-Hello /question

[JMasat]

Group,
I an a newer openwater diver with 21 logged dives. I have taken AOW course.. but not signed off yet.

I have some issues with bouancy control.
Peak performance bouancy class did not "fix"
Obviously need to spend a ton of time working at it...

That said, I have improved my breathing, decreased my weight.. but still tend to "bounce"


One istructor indicated some of my difficulties may be equipment related.

I am using a Zeagle ranger BC (Wing)
"Bubble control" seems to be an issue.
The air gets trapped on the right side.. so I am uncomfortably listing to the left... causing struggles.

Does anyone have thoughts on how to work though this?

Respectfully- loose the BC for another style is unproductive.
This is the equipment I have. It is my challenge to master.

Thanks in advance !

 

[diversteve]

I dive a Ranger, you'll get it sorted out. It is very balanced,

One thing I did about 15 years ago was to burn a dive working on buoyancy. I shoot video and would occasionally sink down onto the reef b/c I was intent on what I was filming.

So what I did was find a dive site around 100' with a sand bottom and try different things till I got it right. My patient buddy handed me trim weights while I did. I even tried a few attempts with my eyes closed.

Now I pretty much know ihow much weight I need. My optimum split is 70/30 front back but unless the boat has single 1lb, trim weights, the best I can usually do is 60/40

My buddy told me later he could see it in my face when I got it right. Sometimes when I'm filming I use one hand sculling the water to move in/out of a scene.

You do have to focus a little to maintain it - if I haven't been in the water for a while, I often do my first dive without my video gear.

You'll get there, mine was around dive #50.

 

[diversteve]

If he's a real instructor he should be able to make anything work,

 

[JohnRom]

As the Zeagle is a horse-shoe shaped wing, you need to lift your head a bit to get the air to the top so you can balance it between both halves of the wing (then re-establish trim). Also to dump the if the air is in the right wing get your left shoulder up (or use the bottom dumps).

 

[JMasat]

If he's a real instructor he should be able to make anything work,

The instructor is and will; but I do/will dive without them. Ultimately it is my responsibility to become proficient with gear I have chosen.

 

[JMasat]

As the Zeagle is a horse-shoe shaped wing, you need to lift your head a bit to get the air to the top so you can balance it between both halves of the wing (then re-establish trim). Also to dump the if the air is in the right wing get your left shoulder up (or use the bottom dumps).

Regarding the positioning and the dumps:
Appreciate! Will work with this

 

[JMasat]

I dive a Ranger, you'll get it sorted out. It is very balanced,

One thing I did about 15 years ago was to burn a dive working on buoyancy. I shoot video and would occasionally sink down onto the reef b/c I was intent on what I was filming.

So what I did was find a dive site around 100' with a sand bottom and try different things till I got it right. My patient buddy handed me trim weights while I did. I even tried a few attempts with my eyes closed.

Now I pretty much know ihow much weight I need. My optimum split is 70/30 front back but unless the boat has single 1lb, trim weights, the best I can usually do is 60/40

My buddy told me later he could see it in my face when I got it right. Sometimes when I'm filming I use one hand sculling the water to move in/out of a scene.

You do have to focus a little to maintain it - if I haven't been in the water for a while, I often do my first dive without my video gear.

You'll get there, mine was around dive #50.

Excellent feedback. I have certainly been thinking about trim weight.
I will work the suggestions and give it time.
The more I dive it.. the more I will adjust!
Thank you!

 

[happy-diver]