Optima Trim

diveladydive · 21st November 2007, 03:35

Quote: (Originally Posted by Tecdiverfl)

I have about 60 dives on my unit and I still can't get it trimmed out right. I am using 2 faber 13's with an aluminum plate with wreck wings. I am usually in a wet suite and have 2 2lbs weights in the pockets. It seems the unit is still bottom heavy. I am considering adding another 2 lbs to the pockets or even switch to a transpac. Any one using the faber LP 13's and have this problem??

Thanks
Marty

RBs tend to put you in a heads-up position. At one point early on, I exited a wreck in which I maintained trim throughout, relaxed once in the OW, & looked like I was waiting in line for the next taxi... :-)

CL position is critical, as is where the rig rides on you; it too high or too low? Charles at Mark's shop does wonders with adjustments. However, hate to say it, the only way to remain in trim is to drill, drill, drill, preferably with an Rebreather diver with you for critique. Try angling your lower back (hips) & thighs up; that will raise your knees/fins & lower your head.

As a final note, I'm not in favor of trim weights. What happens if you lose them & don't know how to stay in trim without them? Say inside of a cave or a wreck? Just an opinion, here, not a judgment call.

-Peri

diveladydive · 21st November 2007, 03:51

Quote: (Originally Posted by MarcLaukien)

I need some advice here... I rarely dive dry, and never used a dry suit with my Optima so far (I only used a drysuit when I was still diving OC). However, it starts to get cold here in Florida now (please no jokes about what we warm-water wimps in Florida consider "cold"), so I want to dive dry over the winter time.

My current configuration is a 3mm wetsuit, AL-13 tanks, and a plastic BP, with 2x2 lbs of trim weight. This gives me a nearly perfect trim and weighting in salt water. I'm 230lbs, 6'2''. How much weight do you guys suggest to add when I switch to a shell drysuit (DiveRite) with light undergarment (Polartec 200)? I can easily add 5.5 lbs by using a SS BP. How much more (if any) do you think I should add?

If you've never dived dry on your Rebreather, you may want to practice basic skills in CF or take a "mini-course" on drysuit diving with an RB. Believe me, the difference between diving wet & dry is huge, as you've complicated bouyancy control issues big time. What's easy to handle (getting to the dump valve fast) on OC is not so easy on an RB- & the term 'fast" changes, as you've 3 different points to control- your CLs, your wing, & your drysuit- & planning ahead plus having the s-drills for divig dry in muscle memory are critical.

The weighting issue is actually less problematic than the multi-tasking issue -cold water divers please note: what's natural to you, just because you choose to live in polar country, is not natural to us warm-water, tropical types :-)

If you want something structured, Contact IANTD- this question has come up before, & mini-programs can be put together. Tom's up in cave country until tomorrow, but he'll be around until first week in December. You can also email him at: tom.mount@iantd.com. Let him know I mentioned a short course on drysuit diving.

-Peri

Jordan · 21st November 2007, 04:53

Quote: (Originally Posted by diveladydive)

RBs tend to put you in a heads-up position. At one point early on, I exited a wreck in which I maintained trim throughout, relaxed once in the OW, & looked like I was waiting in line for the next taxi... :-)

Agreed. I think this is especially true with the Optima because of the position of the scrubber canister. Even with AL tanks I find if I completely relax I go vertical.

21st November 2007, 03:35	#11 (permalink)
diveladydive New Member Current Rebreather/s: Optima Pelagian Other Rebreather/s: Megalodon Optima Titan Pelagian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Southeastern Florida Posts: 50	Re: Optima Trim Quote: (Originally Posted by Tecdiverfl) I have about 60 dives on my unit and I still can't get it trimmed out right. I am using 2 faber 13's with an aluminum plate with wreck wings. I am usually in a wet suite and have 2 2lbs weights in the pockets. It seems the unit is still bottom heavy. I am considering adding another 2 lbs to the pockets or even switch to a transpac. Any one using the faber LP 13's and have this problem?? Thanks Marty RBs tend to put you in a heads-up position. At one point early on, I exited a wreck in which I maintained trim throughout, relaxed once in the OW, & looked like I was waiting in line for the next taxi... :-) CL position is critical, as is where the rig rides on you; it too high or too low? Charles at Mark's shop does wonders with adjustments. However, hate to say it, the only way to remain in trim is to drill, drill, drill, preferably with an Rebreather diver with you for critique. Try angling your lower back (hips) & thighs up; that will raise your knees/fins & lower your head. As a final note, I'm not in favor of trim weights. What happens if you lose them & don't know how to stay in trim without them? Say inside of a cave or a wreck? Just an opinion, here, not a judgment call. -Peri __________________ *Complacency: Self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by ignorance of actual dangers or deficiencies.* *Success: A journey in which the improbable becomes possible, leading to surprising levels of achievement.* *Dr. Peri M. Blum* *Instructor, IANTD* *Member, Board of Advisors, IANTD* *www.supremedivers.com* *561-901-9715* The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and the author’s alone.
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21st November 2007, 03:51	#12 (permalink)
diveladydive New Member Current Rebreather/s: Optima Pelagian Other Rebreather/s: Megalodon Optima Titan Pelagian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Southeastern Florida Posts: 50	Re: Optima Trim Quote: (Originally Posted by MarcLaukien) I need some advice here... I rarely dive dry, and never used a dry suit with my Optima so far (I only used a drysuit when I was still diving OC). However, it starts to get cold here in Florida now (please no jokes about what we warm-water wimps in Florida consider "cold"), so I want to dive dry over the winter time. My current configuration is a 3mm wetsuit, AL-13 tanks, and a plastic BP, with 2x2 lbs of trim weight. This gives me a nearly perfect trim and weighting in salt water. I'm 230lbs, 6'2''. How much weight do you guys suggest to add when I switch to a shell drysuit (DiveRite) with light undergarment (Polartec 200)? I can easily add 5.5 lbs by using a SS BP. How much more (if any) do you think I should add? If you've never dived dry on your Rebreather, you may want to practice basic skills in CF or take a "mini-course" on drysuit diving with an RB. Believe me, the difference between diving wet & dry is huge, as you've complicated bouyancy control issues big time. What's easy to handle (getting to the dump valve fast) on OC is not so easy on an RB- & the term 'fast" changes, as you've 3 different points to control- your CLs, your wing, & your drysuit- & planning ahead plus having the s-drills for divig dry in muscle memory are critical. The weighting issue is actually less problematic than the multi-tasking issue -cold water divers please note: what's natural to you, just because you choose to live in polar country, is not natural to us warm-water, tropical types :-) If you want something structured, Contact IANTD- this question has come up before, & mini-programs can be put together. Tom's up in cave country until tomorrow, but he'll be around until first week in December. You can also email him at: tom.mount@iantd.com. Let him know I mentioned a short course on drysuit diving. -Peri __________________ *Complacency: Self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by ignorance of actual dangers or deficiencies.* *Success: A journey in which the improbable becomes possible, leading to surprising levels of achievement.* *Dr. Peri M. Blum* *Instructor, IANTD* *Member, Board of Advisors, IANTD* *www.supremedivers.com* *561-901-9715* The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and the author’s alone.
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21st November 2007, 04:53	#13 (permalink)
Jordan EBT called me stroppy! Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2005 Location: Garner, NC Posts: 226	Re: Optima Trim Quote: (Originally Posted by diveladydive) RBs tend to put you in a heads-up position. At one point early on, I exited a wreck in which I maintained trim throughout, relaxed once in the OW, & looked like I was waiting in line for the next taxi... :-) Agreed. I think this is especially true with the Optima because of the position of the scrubber canister. Even with AL tanks I find if I completely relax I go vertical. __________________ Is it clear? No. Well, let's go anyways. "Those who would sacrifice a little freedom for a little order, will lose both, and deserve neither." Thomas Jefferson
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