How to Sink?

[Silverlode]

I seem to have this problem with descending the first few few meters of the dive. Are there any technique that would help?

I do not want to be overweight just to break through the first few meters. My check out dive in Australia was max of 5 meters, (15 feet?), and I was overweighted to start off with. However, I would like to remove a few more pounds of weight to get to ideal comfortable weight in deeper water.

Background - 6 pounds weight in 3mm and 85cuft AL tank diving in Tioman, Malaysia. Could do with 4 or less once I get everything right. I did dive with four pounds before and if I was comfortable, everything was fine, but if nerves played up, then I started floating. Even with six pounds, sometimes I had problem with the initial descend.
In Melbourne, started with 9kg (about 18pounds), 7mil semidry and single steel tank in 5mtr water and was grossly overweighted. Ended up with 6kg (approximately 12 pounds) and was a lot more comfortable. However, I think I couple probably take off another 2-4 pounds if I dive deeper, but am wondering how to break through that initial metre (3') or two.

[Cheddarchick]

I have trouble in my 7mm. I found if I turn head down and float feet up, the air that is trapped inside trickles out the legs. But boy that is a pain the .....

[gibson1525]

if you're wearing booties fill them up with water before you put them on, this will get rid some trapped air.

if you are able to, empty all the air out of your BC before strapping on a tank by dunking it underwater and letting the air out. (only good if you descend soon after getting in the water though).

a nice long exhale to get all the air out of your lungs helps me start a quick descent. after you get down a few feet and are already moving inhaling doesn't cause you to slow down too much.

[RoadRacer1978]

You have to make sure that all the air in your BCD is exhausted. You'd be suprised how a little bit of trapped air can make a difference. Also exhaust you lungs fully. If you are nervous and breathing a little shallow you would also be suprised how much buoyancy your lungs give you. So exhale all the way as you begin you descent. Sometimes air can be trapped in between your wetsuit and you. This will also cause extra buoyancy. After one dive this usually isn't a problem as the air gets worked out. You can try the head first descent and try to get that air worked out as you descend. Hope some of this helps.

[superkingkong]

try to breath out when you're descending and empty your BC

[ian]

I think it was Northwest Grateful Diver who passed these pearls on to me.

1) If youre a "largish" guy like me, you may very well be trapping a lot of air in your wetsuit before the first descent of the day. When you get in the water, wiggle around a bit to release some of the air from places such as the small of your back, etc. If you notice a lot of air, try pouring a bottle or two of warm water into your suit via the collar before you put your BC on.

2) Cross your legs at the ankles. This stops you from unconciouasly finning up.

3) As you start letting airt out of your BC TAKE A DEEP BREATH. This will lift you out of the water a bit. Once you feel your upward momentum stopping, breath out and exhale as deeply as you can. The extra little "bob" seem to really help me get down. This one sounds completely counter intuitive, but it really does help.

BTW, at 6'2" and #250, I use 30# lead to "sink" me in my 7mm wetsuit with boots, gloves and beannie. But, as I have said before, I have a waterline when floating in the pool in just my swimsuit.

Ian

[FishFood]

Youll just about have to be a little* overweight due to the neoprene compressing as you get deeper. For me the difference is 2lbs. Less two pounds and I rise to the surface if Im 10ft or less. Add 2lbs and i sink, but have to add a little air to the BC...

[mitsuguy]

Originally Posted by RoadRacer1978

You have to make sure that all the air in your BCD is exhausted. You'd be suprised how a little bit of trapped air can make a difference. Also exhaust you lungs fully. If you are nervous and breathing a little shallow you would also be suprised how much buoyancy your lungs give you. So exhale all the way as you begin you descent. Sometimes air can be trapped in between your wetsuit and you. This will also cause extra buoyancy. After one dive this usually isn't a problem as the air gets worked out. You can try the head first descent and try to get that air worked out as you descend. Hope some of this helps.

I noticed the first dive of the day with a thick wetsuit on required some extra effort to get rid of those sneaky air pockets and such... I'll do the feet up descent if needed in this situation.... stretch out your legs and those air pockets come right out for me... Of course, once you get 15 ft down, the pressure starts working on the suit as well...

[LiteHedded]

exhale, exhale, exhale.

[WestTnDiver]

For the pesky air trapped in the wetsuit on the first dive of the day I always pull the neck open on the wet suit when I'm a foot or two under. This helps flush out any trapped air.