Help

[Deb Diver]

I'm working on my Open Water Cert with PADI and have finished the confined water section. I've been going to the pool for practice before I get to the open water bit, but I have a problem that I don't know how to solve. My BCD has intergrated weights, how can I practice removing my scuba unit underwater without floating away. I managed it so I could pass the confined water check but there has to be a better way. I feel like a baloon on a string.

Thanks

Deb

[MSilvia]

The simple answer is "wear a weight belt, and keep less lead in the integrated pockets." You want to weight yourself so you aren't floaty without your BC, and then put any additional weight you need in the pockets.

Personally, I avoid weight integration whenever possible for that very reason.

[Formerly 45yroldNewbie]

It takes some effort but the main thing is to make sure you don't let go of the BC. You can find several threads here that discuss splitting your weight between your BC and a belt. That may make it easier for you to manage the skill but be careful not to put too much weight on the belt otherwise if you need to ditch weight you'll still be negative.

[BouzoukiJoe]

Originally Posted by Formerly 45yroldNewbie

It takes some effort but the main thing is to make sure you don't let go of the BC. You can find several threads here that discuss splitting your weight between your BC and a belt. That may make it easier for you to manage the skill but be careful not to put too much weight on the belt otherwise if you need to ditch weight you'll still be negative.

Unlikely unless you are overweighted. Anyway, I'd ditch the belt first, then the pockets, and only if necessary.

[MSilvia]

Originally Posted by Formerly 45yroldNewbie

be careful not to put too much weight on the belt otherwise if you need to ditch weight you'll still be negative.

How do you figure?

[WetHog]

I just finished my cert 2 months ago with a weight integrated BC and 6 mil of neo. Here is how I did it.

I kneeled on the platform (the bottom in the pool) and emptied my b/c I then undid all the clasp, velcro, etc. Pulled my left arm out, reached across my chest with my left arm and pulled the BC off of my right arm and pulled it in front of my body. This kept the entire unit, including weights, on top of my body.

To don the unit again I reversed it. Right arm went in, spun to the right, leaned to the left a bit, left arm went in, then it was a matter of hooking everything up again.

The important thing to remember is stay calm and keep the unit on top of your body to keep you down.

[ertechsg]

we we taught to keep our rt arm hooked on it to keep it from floating away.

[Vercingetorix]

Originally Posted by Formerly 45yroldNewbie

but be careful not to put too much weight on the belt otherwise if you need to ditch weight you'll still be negative.

All my weight is on my belt. My rig is a BP/W.

To paraphrase MSiliva (but he's too polite): WTF?

[CompuDude]

There are several ways. Sling it around to your front, as others have mentioned. Or lay down and put it on like a blanket. The important thing, as has been noted, is don't let go! Keep it on top of you as much as possible to help keep you down, so you don't end up floating up and hanging onto it sitting on the bottom like an anchor.

I, like Matt, prefer weight belts for this reason, too. But there are techniques to help deal with the issue.

[DiverMAN]

I had the same problem, but you just gotta hold on to the bc...