What's with the hands?

[davidbaraff]

So I've noticed that many (experienced) divers tend to do this thing with the hands, where they're basically crossing their arms, with Lhand grasping right arm and vice versa. What's the point of this?

I mean, yeah, it looks cool and all, but is there a specific purpose to this pose?

On a secondary note, I just got certified. How much is it reasonable to expect my SAC to improve as time goes on? As an (embarassing) example, I just did an aquarium dive (actually my first dive after getting my c-card), where I was down to 25-30' feet about the whole time, and I chewed through 2500 PSI (i.e. from 3000 down to 500) in exactly 40 minutes. (I was a bit nervous at the start of this dive for some reason.)

As time goes by, how much longer would I expect to be able to go in these conditions -- 50 minutes? an hour?

Thanks.

 

[Doc]

Streamlining. It can protect ungloved hands from transparent icky things in the water column.

It's also an excellent reminder when you are starting out not to flail or dog paddle.

 

[Gombessa]

So I've noticed that many (experienced) divers tend to do this thing with the hands, where they're basically crossing their arms, with Lhand grasping right arm and vice versa. What's the point of this?

Sometimes people cross their arms over their chest to stay warm - you can reduce a lot of surface area exposed to the water that way. Others may do it to "quiet" their arms - it's generally considered bad form to swim/scull/flail with your arms, so holding your hands/arms is a way of keeping them still.

On a secondary note, I just got certified. How much is it reasonable to expect my SAC to improve as time goes on? As an (embarassing) example, I just did an aquarium dive (actually my first dive after getting my c-card), where I was down to 25-30' feet about the whole time, and I chewed through 2500 PSI (i.e. from 3000 down to 500) in exactly 40 minutes. (I was a bit nervous at the start of this dive for some reason.)

It's entirely reasonable. A lot of it depends on your body's specific physiology (a 6'7 300lb guy is probably never going to get to the SAC rate of a 4' 80lb girl), but I think just about everyone improves as time goes on and they become more comfortable/relaxed in the water. Being able to get around without the aforementioned flailing arms is a huge part of lowering SAC rate I believe.

I think an hour at 20-30ft with an AL80 is quite reachable, and probably very conservative for a number of regular divers here.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Hands are not necessary to dive. Other than to hold lights, cameras, spearguns, etc. You will also see some holding their hands in front of them when using wrist mounted guages. My compass is on the back of my left hand, comp on right wrist. This way I can monitor direction and depth and all I have to do is look up with my eyes to be sure I'm not running into something. This should have been covered in your ow class.

BTW best time for me with an al80 at 25-30 feet- 2 hrs 10 minutes. Water was very calm, no current, nice and warm and I was just cruising with my own thoughts.

 

[Gombessa]

This should have been covered in your ow class.

Perhaps it should be, but it certainly wasn't covered in my resort cert course

 

[trucker girl]

Perhaps it should be, but it certainly wasn't covered in my resort cert course

Show off ( :jealous: ).

 

[Sas]

It reduces drag and makes it easier to view your compass, computer, etc and hold your torch, at least that is what I have found. I used to swim with my hands by my side but it is easier now to keep them in front of me as it is less effort to look at my compass, or reach for my console. I was shown in my OW course where to keep my hands but I didn't really start to get the hang of it until about dive 25, before that there was a bit of arm flailing.

Anyway, really do not stress about your air consumption - if you are having to end dives early just get a bigger tank. SAC should improve over time and it can vary on a lot of things so you might be stuck with a poor rate but yea, twin tank setups or bigger tanks are available for you if that ends up being the case! Even the slightest stressors can double your air consumption so if you are getting nervous you will be using up more air than normal for sure. Just take your time and you will be fine I am sure.

 

[goldenbear01]

during my ow class, i was told that doing the arms crossed thing is a good way to help prevent the things dangling from your bc from bumping the underwater environment. as a newb diver, i'm still working on making that position reflexive.

 

[Hoomi]

My co-worker that's already an experienced diver (my course is scheduled, so I can't say anything from personal experience yet) said that his first OW dive lasted 40 minutes. He was nervous, and sucking down the air like it was going out of style. Everyone else on the dive was down for more than an hour.

I'm not sure if being aware of that will make it a bit easier to remain mindful of breathing rate, or whether I'll be that nervous the first dive and gasp it all as if I were pulling a long hill on the bicycle. I've got a few months before I'll find out.

By the way; my co-worker says his pre-dive ritual now includes a beer or two to help calm and mellow him out. From what he says, without it he'll go through his air a lot faster. I can't say that I recommend that procedure, and it would also depend very heavily on how much a beer or two affects a person whether it's an idea worth considering. I don't drink at all, so it won't ever be an option to me anyway.

 

[Sas]

By the way; my co-worker says his pre-dive ritual now includes a beer or two to help calm and mellow him out. From what he says, without it he'll go through his air a lot faster. I can't say that I recommend that procedure, and it would also depend very heavily on how much a beer or two affects a person whether it's an idea worth considering. I don't drink at all, so it won't ever be an option to me anyway.

Ahh I wouldn't recommend it either...! Beer leads to dehydration, which increases chances of DCI. Also insurance companies will not pay out if you have been drinking beforehand (at least, the ones I have looked at). Also as a new diver, you don't want anything that can cloud your judgment (I get tipsy after two bottles of beer for example!) I hope your friend is not giving that advice out to new divers to reduce their SAC!

Your friend should be looking at other things to reduce his SAC such as trim, weighting, getting buoyancy right (this is a big one), his temperature and he should be able to relax enough to dive without needing to drink beer to do so.

Also saying you have a dive lasting 40mins does not really say much about air consumption at all. What was your co-worker's depth, and what type of tank was he using?