I am new to this whole scuba concept

[PlayaCountryBoy]

Because there's no talking underwater.

That's so right and too funny!

 

[Ice9]

Because there's no talking underwater.

This almost made me spit coffee all over my monitor!

 

[GA Under Water]

Because there's no talking underwater.

DANGIT!!!! I couldn't even minimize to cover my butt after laughing. My Boss knows what I am surfing now.

 

[Joe-Diver]

I can't claim originality for it though....one of my students said it.

We had a young couple out at the lake. After dive 1, he had 1400 and she had 2000. Rather than getting his tank filled for dive 2, she suggested they switch tanks, which was fine. While he was doing it, she was chatting up a storm about it, ripping on him for using so much air and asked, "why do women use less air than men?"...and he immediately said, somewhat under his breath, "because there's no talking underwater"....to which she shot him an angry glance. If looks could kill....We all were laughing so hard at that....

 

[paradicio]

Because there's no talking underwater.

That made my day... I won't even let my wife use a slate!

 

[AbyssalPlains]

DANGIT!!!! I couldn't even minimize to cover my butt after laughing. My Boss knows what I am surfing now.

Just curious: Did you choose your avatar just to piss people off or is there a deeper meaning?

 

[Pearldiver07]

The reason size CAN matter is that breath for breath, smaller lungs will exchange a smaller volume of air.

That being said, a smaller person can make in the number of breaths for the lack of volume in any particular breath.

So factor in emotional state, size, fitness (how labored your breathing is), and your natural resting breaths/minute, and you'll find that it's something you'll just have to dive to find out.

Any reason to dive in a pinch...

 

[The Chairman]

I take it by your questions that you are not yet certified. While I have no problems answering them, I would STRONGLY suggest that these (and some you forgot to ask) will be covered in most every certification course and that you should not substitute these answers for taking a class from a Scuba Instructor. There are plenty on here, should you be looking for one.

How long does a tank last??

There are many factors at play here. Gender, size, work load, anxiety, depth as well as other factors will determine your length of stay under water. However, I have seen GREAT divers use a lot of air and crappy divers use very little so don't fixate on this. When you dive, have a great time and plan it so that you surface with plenty of air left over!

When underwater should I breath as I do on land or should I try to conserve air??

You should breathe a tad slower and deeper when diving. However, you should never ever try to conserve air. This is called "skip breathing" and will result in higher than normal CO₂ levels in your blood. This in turn leads to anxiety, an increased respiratory rate as well as a head ache! Who needs that? Let your body breathe as MUCH as it needs: don't try to limit it! You will enjoy your dive more. After all, you aren't going to see the entire ocean in one dive, so don't try!

With this small bit of information can you tell me anything??

Hopefully, you've learned enough to get to a class! But really, maximizing your bottom time is simple. Do lots of laps in the pool (cardio training) and then just dive a lot (skill and confidence building). That's simply the best way and the only safe way to do it!

My wife is about half the size of me does this mean she can stay down longer??

Yeppers, discounting the existence of any mitigating factors such as panic, she will most undoubtedly use less air. But being a good buddy, she will surface with you anyway!

And how long is long.

That's for YOU to figure out!

 

[GA Under Water]

Just curious: Did you choose your avatar just to piss people off or is there a deeper meaning?

Not that any of this belongs in this thread but:

It doesn't bother me who it pisses off. Personally, I think the only real way to have peace is through some form or act of war/violence.

 

[LIVES4SHARKS]

I think I laughed as hard as you boys did at the "talking" comment. Even though I am a chick, I do know when to shut up! LOL! :f:

Gas management is one of many things that are covered in OPEN WATER CLASSES, along with dive tables, gear, exposure suits, etc. If you want to dive, then go for it and join the rest of us bubble blowers! I have yet to regret my decision. :scubadive

Happy diving with my sharkies!
Carolyn:sharks: