Wey Hey I can hover (ish)

[Owen Wichard]

Afternoon,

Well as has been posted by me I needed 24 KGS of lead and 5 KGS of ankle weights.

Well following, two dives today I have my weight down too, 14 KGS, and 1.5 KGS of ankle weight.

It felt great to hover and feel free from gravity


Also the drysuit arms got on fine with change of under suit.


Thanks all Owen

[Ed Howarth]

Well done!

At that rate, you will be floating to the dive site in a few weeks time. :D

Ed

[Francis James]

Nice one Owen, a bit at a time is the secret.:)
You'll soon have it all nailed.

[Owen Wichard]

Thanks, yeah takes time but great rewards. Just some practice in pool to sort my mask, and one handed clearing

Thanks Owen

[Maria CM]

Fun isn't it:) :)

Well done.

best wishes,

maria

[Owen Wichard]

Fun isn't it:) :)

Well done.

best wishes,

maria

:D :D :D sure is

[northern_diver]

Good stuff, now you have almost a full spare set :)

John

[Mike Halligan]

Afternoon,

Well as has been posted by me I needed 24 KGS of lead and 5 KGS of ankle weights.

Well following, two dives today I have my weight down too, 14 KGS, and 1.5 KGS of ankle weight.

It felt great to hover and feel free from gravity


Also the drysuit arms got on fine with change of under suit.


Thanks all Owen

Well done, Owen. I'm sure that all who like me were incredulous at 29kg are greatly relieved to read this.

[ChristianG]

I'm sure that all who like me were incredulous at 29kg are greatly relieved to read this.
You can count me among them. 29kg is a tad more than one/third of my actual body weight - and I'm 188cm.

[Richard Whitcombe]

Its the 5kg of ankle weights that got me - must be somewhat akin to wearing the old lead boots.

[Howard Payne]

Afternoon,

Well as has been posted by me I needed 24 KGS of lead and 5 KGS of ankle weights.

Well following, two dives today I have my weight down too, 14 KGS, and 1.5 KGS of ankle weight.

It felt great to hover and feel free from gravity


Also the drysuit arms got on fine with change of under suit.


Thanks all Owen

Owen - it's fantastic that you're making progress

How did you end up with 24kgs of belt weight and 5 kg of ankle weight in the first place mate? Please tell me an Instructor didn't set you up like that?

From the sound of things - you're 6'2" and 13 stone? What suit and underlayers are you wearing mate.

I will be down at Vobster on the 27/28th February, with some guys from ESAC, you'd be very welcome to join us for some fun dives if you like?

[Owen Wichard]

Hi All

Yeap I am down to 1.5 Kg per ankle, and know down to 14, it was partly the instructor adding weight to I sank. (might need to add 1 kg)

My under suit, is forth element leggings and top, ditch the top for the dive, and am changing the under suit completely.

I am about 6 ft and little more then 13 stone

Howard, I will see if I can get of work and a lift as am non driver, I might be at the point of needing 005 signed off, would that be possible??

Thanks all Owen

[ChristianG]

Well following, two dives today I have my weight down too, 14 KGS, and 1.5 KGS of ankle weight.
Owen,

I hope that's .75kg per ankle rather than 1.5kg per ankle?

My fins are positively buoyant, in spite of Oceanic Spring Heel straps. You might be wise, if you haven't already done so, to invest in a pair of spring heel straps. Mine are the originals, well, the Oceanic versions of the Farallon straps when Oceanic bought the company, and sadly are no longer made.

The copyright has now expired and there are a plethora available from various manufacturers. They are much more comfortable and easy to doff and don than conventional straps, somewhat heavier and decidedly more bullet proof.

[Richard Whitcombe]

17kg of weight in total (ankle weights plus belt). Cant see anyone needing that much on their ankles though!
Try using the BC for buoyancy with minimal gas in suit to avoid floaty feet?


It might still be a bit heavy but better than it was. Depends on undersuit. My subxero with 2 layers underneath,drygloves and so on needs 16kg in the sea (my weezle with same gear needs 11) for example.

But im about 59kg and 5ft9".

[Owen Wichard]

Hi

Its 1.5 per ankle total 3 kg better then the 5 kg and again i will ditch some next dive.

For the dives i has the auto dump fully open, and adding air to suit, to take off squeeze and only using BC for buoyancy control. and this time no inverting

Thanks Owen

[Owen Wichard]

Quick update,

After completing two more lessons yesterday.

I know have my weighting sorted. I am now using 14 KG's in the pouches and a 1KG per ankle. Total weight being 15 KG's down from the 29 KG's. It's now nice slow decent and can ascent and hover by finning so am very :D :D :D

Thanks for all the tips and advice

Thanks Owen

[Francis James]

Great progress Owen, the next thing you'll notice is how much longer your air is lasting.:)

[TrevorB]

Owen I did wonder how you got 5kg of ankle weights I assume several sets

I wore ankle weights for years and my then Diving Officer wore them so I assumed I was Ok

After all if you need lead why not put it where it feels best

I then had them confiscated on a course the instructor put them in his pocket, signal if you need them I was told

I got through and now don't wear them, but in the early days I would have missed the dive if I had not brought them

Just keep diving things will get better I promise


TrevorB

[Owen Wichard]

No, it was three sets of ankle weights, on each leg, and my air is starting to improve. Just 005 and then am a OD

Thanks Owen