Does buoyancy and proper trim come easier with backmount as opposed to sidemount?

[Great White7]

Ok will find out tomorrow

[MichaelAngelo]

Tired and run down, you say? Do you have sinus issues, trouble clearing your ears at times? You can have small issues with your ears, and you will never get trim with any type of rig.

ANd as far as carrying tanks, that is why God made wheels. Get at least a pair, like a hand truck or cart.

Always have said "cave man make wheel, good, cave diver ignore wheel, no good."
Honestly I don't know why anyone would carry tanks if wheeling them is possible.

[cmint]

You never did say if you were using aluminum, or steel tanks. With a razor harness, that would make a great deal of difference.

"One steel, one aluminum"

[rongoodman]

I started out with a Razor, but switched to the Stealth 2 when it came out. I never used the single bungie on the Razor though, but set up a loop on each side. I don't think you're going to like the weight of the Jet fins since you're not top-heavy in SM like you would in a set of doubles.(I love my Slipstreams when diving wet.) SM feels much more stable to me in the water, since the weight of the tanks is lying right along my center of gravity, and I can easily roll up on my side and hang there to swim through a tall, narrow opening.

[FW]

"One steel, one aluminum"

Good one

[Sh0use]

I just did my SM course a week ago. I had about 50+ cave dives (Intro/Apprentice level) in backmount, and switching over to SM, I was ALL out of wack. However, my instructor quickly fixed the issues, added some trim weights, adjusted tank bands and BAM! Near perfect trim. I think the instructor has a lot to do with it. He also did pictures and video for every dive to allow us to see how we looked. But I was very surprised with how quickly I trimmed out. I then did another 7 cave dives in SM config and got positive feedback about trim, buoyancy, etc. from my buddies.

I definitely think video would help you out. Good luck!!

[Great White7]

I definitely think video would help you out. Good luck!!

Yep, no doubt.

Thanks, hopefully things will improve once I post some video and get some feedback.

[FW]

Off topic posts moved to the Fill station.

[JCGoodwin]

Great White, steel or Al will make a huge difference depending on what pressures.
While diving a minimalist rig such as my razor clone with AL 80's I have to watch my pressures close or add weight to each tank.
They get very tail floaty around 2600-2700 psi.
I simply add 3 lbs to each tank band to regain more control.

This being said I have not dove my clone deep beyond 50'.
I did notice that if you were going to do so a wing will be a must.
Especially wet you will struggle with buoyancy my experience.
I dive fresh water so if you are in salt then you will need to adjust.

Another issue I wondering is when are you making your reg switches?
Al tanks I switch every 200 psi, Steel 3-400 psi depends on your practice but it could make you list if you are breathing tanks unbalanced.
I realize that is a simple issue but with SM especially when diving minimalist balance is very important.
Bungee lengths, attachment points, it all adds up.

We had a student one time who was 6'1 220 lbs and not a pinch of fat!
This fellow was a rock of muscle and needed almost no weight to dive!
For his size and weight he swam like a seal, you could not keep up with him!
Your physical build can influence your buoyancy as well just be patient and keep working at it.
It will come just don't get frustrated and be very careful to keep your dives safe!
Do not put yourself in a bad spot with more than a few changes at a time!
Take your time.

JCG

[Great White7]

It will come just don't get frustrated and be very careful to keep your dives safe!
Do not put yourself in a bad spot with more than a few changes at a time!
Take your time.

JCG

One of my month old Hog regs needs fixing also, so everything is hitting me at once.
Yeah I called a dive the other day when we were doing eyes shut air sharing on the line.
My buoyancy was up the s$%t and I felt like I was wasting my time (as if it had been real, I could easily get entangled and kill someone).

Thanks for the support.

Talking to the Razor sidemount instructors ATM so they might be able to help me for a day or so.