Ok time for a debriefing:
Question:
1. How tall are you?
2. How much do you weigh?
3. How much does your wetsuit weigh?(I will assume a 7mm).
The above information will help determine your correct weighting. Allow about 3 pounds of lead for each pound of wetsuit, then we need some for the AL80 weight shift (4 pounds) and a tad more for the chocolate cake, Twinkies and other goodies.
Next ask yourself this question: While trying to go down were you aware of and concentrating on the following?:
A: Exhaling, Exhaling and then when you can't exhale anymore, exhaling more. When you must, take a small sip of air, and then exhale. Once you get past 10 feet it gets easier and you can start to breath, but not big huge lung full breaths.
B: Holding your BC hose up over your head fully extended (I often see the hose with a nice loop in it.
C: Were your ankles crossed (many people out of habit are actually kicking or fining which of course pushes you up when you are trying to go down, kind of a fight or flight reflex of being in the water).
D: Were you keeping your hands and body absolutely still. Motion, any motion, creates lift, when you are trying to go down.
