Trim Weighting Question

[scubasavvy]

How much weight do you folks use to balance out your rear inflate BCs? I just switched from jacket style to rear inflate. Any rules of thumb?

[scubasavvy]

Well with a 44 lb bladder, I'm going to need some trim weights on the cam bands or I'm going to be face first in the water when I surface...

[Splitlip]

Rule of thumb..1/3 of your weight goes in the trim pockets. Justa rule of thumb though. It is an individual thing.

You don't necessarily "need" to fully inflate your wing at the surface. Just "need" to inflate enough to keep your chin out of the water. Or kick on to your back like you are in a recliner and you can float like Papillon on a bag of coconuts .

[cummings66]

All you really need to do is figure out how much total weight you need, once you have that figure then you move them to where it makes you neutral in trim.

Nobody can tell you where to place them exactly because everybody has a different body makeup, you just experiment with placement until it's right. You really don't need to worry about planting on your face, that's a dive shop tale that while based on some facts is not accurate. Don't over inflate the BC and you will be fine.

[MSilvia]

Originally Posted by scubasavvy

How much weight do you folks use to balance out your rear inflate BCs?

I didn't use trim weights with my Transpac II, but I did with my Seaquest jacket. I don't think there is a rule of thumb... do what works.

[Skinsfan1311]

Originally Posted by Splitlip

and you can float like Papillon on a bag of coconuts .

now that was funny!

[CODMAN]

I also use the 1/3 in trim pockets, 2/3 in weight pockets and it's close enough for me! I'm nice and horizontal in the water... Give it a try, for a starting point, then as the others said, adjust to what feels best to you!

Have fun testing!

[DeeDoubleYou]

I removed the rear weight pockets on my Brigade and use one 1.5lb ankle weight clipped around the tank valve. This works perfectly in keeping me horizontal in the water. I never have an issue with leaning face forward at the surface, just lean back and you will be fine.

[Penguino]

Originally Posted by DeeDoubleYou

I removed the rear weight pockets on my Brigade and use one 1.5lb ankle weight clipped around the tank valve. This works perfectly in keeping me horizontal in the water. I never have an issue with leaning face forward at the surface, just lean back and you will be fine.

Is this a better way to do trim weights (because of the mobility of the band)?

[DeeDoubleYou]

I don't think it's necessarily better, it just works for me. I like it because I only need a small amount of weight to offset my negatively buoyant legs. If I ever needed more, I can simply clip the other ankle weight on for a total of 2.

A lot of people need much more weight, or think they do, so they use the rear pockets. Most of those are located on the lower tank strap (if the BC has 2.) This configuration works great if all you are doing is distributing weight around your body and effectively lightening your weight belt. This can also help stabilize and keep you upright on the surface when using a rear inflation style BC.

Sorry for the long winded answer, but I hope this helps!!

Short answer... Try out different configs and see what works for you. Every "body" is different so the amount and placement of trim weights is unique to each person.