The Chairman
Chairman of the Board
Again, if you're diving an imbalanced kit, be sure to carrie redundant buoyancy. A sausage, a drysuit or a dual bladder BCD can all be used to keep you safe in case your BCD fails during the dive.
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
Skydiver.OP is already using an al63 which is a short cylinder.
@ScubaCarrie when you hover are you extending your legs? or are you bending your knees and getting into a skydiver position?
<sigh>Unless that makes you even MORE negative. That's like having a negative bank account and trying to spend even more.
She is trying to dive a gear configuration that is inappropriate for her. Her BC advertises trim-weight pockets, so I would start by trying a different tank. [/OPINION] O&O...Complication: Should the diver find herself properly weighted or negative with no additional weight then, obviously, there would be no weight to drop. This is where a novice should alter one's rig to make it safer and more comfortable to dive.
<sigh> BC advertises trim-weight pockets, so I would start by trying a different tank. [/OPINION] O&O...
I'm not an expert by any means, but I am a DIY bad influence.... regarding back plates, most who use them seem to enjoy that they are negative, and therefore get lead off the belt. But that is contra indicated in your case (you need less overall weight). The rogue, however, seems to have padded shoulders which put the floaty-ness in the worst possible spot for your predicament. Depending on your level of DIY comfort, you might try assembling a plastic plate to take the wing off your Rogue, getting rid of the shoulder pad floaty-ness (and the padding really means nothing in the water), while keeping a neutral plate.I’m not opposed to a backplate and harness but don’t have in person access to anyone that would be able to steer me in the right direction.
I'm not an expert by any means, but I am a DIY bad influence.... regarding back plates, most who use them seem to enjoy that they are negative, and therefore get lead off the belt. But that is contra indicated in your case (you need less overall weight). The rogue, however, seems to have padded shoulders which put the floaty-ness in the worst possible spot for your predicament. Depending on your level of DIY comfort, you might try assembling a plastic plate to take the wing off your Rogue, getting rid of the shoulder pad floaty-ness (and the padding really means nothing in the water), while keeping a neutral plate.
If you want to try that route, you can go anywhere from full blown cheapskate DIY (my boys are diving plates I cut from a $5 cutting board, with salvaged ratchet strap webbing), to buying a basic plastic back pack from piranha ( Plastic Traditional Style Backplate , Piranha Dive Shop | ), and webbing, hardware, and a buckle (piranha has a basic harness, or you could assemble from parts from various suppliers).
With something like that, you could put trim pockets at the peak of your shoulders (on the webbing), which would also be accessible to ditch. I won't get into the discussion of whether the weight you wear is necessary, other than to say if you are reliant on your air cell to be neutral with an empty tank... you need a backup source of lift (as @The Chairman said). But you said you carry a safety sausage, so that is addressed already.
Adjusting a BPW would be easier with the help of someone who is experienced with it, but it isn't rocket surgery... a you tube video or two and a willingness to keep adjusting will get you there!
Respectfully,
James
In the case of what I was suggesting, the Rogue's weakness is all the padding putting buoyancy high up on your frame, when you need it lower. As for attaching the wing to something else, it would be sandwiched between the plate and the tank. The cam band is run in through the one slot on the wing, through both slots on the plate, and back out the other slot on the wing. Only point of worry is to ensure the inflatable portion of the wing doesn't get sandwiched between the tank and plate (possible to cause a pinch flat). Give me a bit and I can take some pictures if you are interested in trying that route.The thing about the rogue is that it breaks down very easily. It comes completely disassembled in the box. The bladder is not permanently attached to the back piece. It’s super easy to assemble and disassemble. It’s just snaps off and on. (Little flat took)
Attaching it to something else.... I am not exactly a DIY. Not sure how that would even go.
The rogue itself does not weigh very much. 7lbs in its current set up. (It’s slightly damp still)
In the case of what I was suggesting, the Rogue's weakness is all the padding putting buoyancy high up on your frame
Respectfully,
James
That would be another good solution, and with you being negative buoyant, the bit of buoyancy from the back pad isn't terrible (and is nearer to center of mass).removing the clips off the standard shoulder straps and putting them on something less buoyant.... there is a small amount of back padding as well ... but idk what’s inside