Top Heavy....Help!

[Keith J.]

Hi Guy’s,

I am a complete novice who has just embarked on my Ocean Diver’s Course. I am experiencing a problem with control and I would appreciate some good advice.

Basically, after fully submerging and gaining neutral buoyancy I start fining forward. However, after only a few meters or so I seem to become “top heavy” and go into an uncontrolled roll, ending belly up and tank down! Despite this, I feel comfortable and confident in the water.

I know that it’s early days yet and that practice makes perfect, but I would greatly accept any advice as to remedy this situation.

Thanks and happy diving,

Keith J.

[Richard Whitcombe]

Wetsuit, drysuit or no suit? Pool?

Really should be asking your instructor this question as they can see and solve it in the water.

Things like moving the tank lower, heavier fins, weight distribution all have an effect, without knowing all those nobody can guess at whats causing it.

[Ian@1904]

Where are your weghts positioned?
My suggestion is to ensure that the weights are positioned around the front of your body.

[Andy Moll (BSAC Council)]

I know that it’s early days yet and that practice makes perfect, but I would greatly accept any advice as to remedy this situation.
Keith J.

Hi Keith

Yes and Yes, and am assuming you are still in the pool, this is all quite normal and in a couple of weeks you will be suprised how different things will be.

Next session have a chat with your instructor as Richrad says

[Ed Howarth]

Vey common indeed. The slighter build you are, and the bigger the cylinders are, the more pronounced this effect will be.

Without fail, it will sort itself out over the next session or two.

I know it seems like a really big problem, hence your posting on here, but stick with it and it will almost magically cease to be an issue.

Ed

[bythesea]

Move you cylinder down a bit, put more of the weight on your belt on the hips and less to the rear.... might work, worth a try...

[Nigel Hewitt]

It's quite normal. Everything in diving seems to want to run away with you to begin with.

Just laugh at yourself and carry on. It will go away with practice but you'll never be quite sure what you're doing that stops it.

Also stop thinking that the tank is heavy. It might be when you're putting it in your car but in the water it's very light. Stand in the shallow end and hold one under the water and see.

[benltdiverdude]

I had a very similar problem, but the opposite, just took a lot of very minor adjustments to things like cylinder positioning. As soon as i got a drysuit i had to do it all again :(. Good luck, and you will feel when its right, it feels SOO good.

Ben

[Keith J.]

Hi All,

Thanks for your positive and encouraging responses to my query. It is early days yet and I will certainly stick at it as I enjoy being underwater. I have taken on board all your suggestions and eagerly await my next pool session. Have a great Christmas and I wish you safe and enjoyable diving for 2011. Keith J.