I am finding spending more time with the Aqueon to enhance performance is important. I remember just putting the thing on and taking off as a kid. Still, if you are trying to hit maximum speed and evaluate on deeper dives more time in the saddle and tuning of the device helps.
I took it down to Key Largo this weekend for some free diving on the wreck of the Spiegal Grove. I started on it immediately but would have benefited from some warmup time with fins alone or with a dive scooter I brought along. The scooter diving was interesting with possible decompression issues that I raised
HERE Next time I'll get that sequence right. Anyway, once you are inverted and descending it is straight forward enough. I cut the dives off at 80 ft. with the Aqueon. I am still evaluating the best speed and amplitude of kick for extended depth vs. air consumption. The current was light fortunately but visibility wasn't as good as I had hoped.
I setup the mod for feet first descent (inverting the foils and securing them to the line and spring) but discovered a serious problem with the eyehooks it was suggested that I use. They hit the axle the foils ride upon without sufficient embedment to probably stay put so I didn't get to try that approach. I need to work something up externally on the foils that will allow reliable, quick and easy inversion and righting at depth for ascent. I'm thinking something with line and hooks. Will update on that once I work it out.
I also tried inverted swimming a few times at max speed and really didn't notice that much difference, this time. The jury is still out with me until I have more time on this thing and get it tuned just right and am using the right type of kick for max speed. I am still trying to figure out the balance between kick amplitude and frequency or speed vs. distance/air consumption. You can actually move quite fast with fairly good efficiency with a small amplitude, rapid kick as opposed to a more larger amplitude, powerful kick.
