Short people problems/hacks

[Marie13]

@laevimanus

I’ve gotten a 53 minute quarry dive out of a HP80, on the shallow side, no deeper than 35ft or so. I think I finished with 1300 psi. My HP80 are rated for 3442 psi. I have no issue getting fills to service pressure locally.

 

[scubadada]

@laevimanus

Compared to an AL80, a steel HP80 is more than 5 inches shorter, weighs nearly 4 lbs less, and is negatively buoyant when empty, allowing you to remove 4-5 lbs of your weight. Assuming you get a good fill, the HP80 will have a little more gas than an AL80. It should last you at least as long as an AL80

 

[kelemvor]

I'm just starting, so I don't know much...are these steel tanks? Are all steel tanks shorter than AL80s?

Yes, those are steel tanks.
No, not all steel tanks are shorter than AL80's. However, the HP80 that was mentioned is shorter.

It just occurred to me that the nomenclature for tanks is a bit odd. Generally there are:
HPxx = High pressure tank made of steel
LPxx = Low pressure tank made of steel
ALxx = Aluminum tank. (High/Low pressure isn't relevant here as far as I know)

where xx is a number representing the size in cubic feet of the tank.

So, AL80 = Aluminum tank that holds 80 cubic feet of air. HP80 = Steel tank that holds 80 cubic feet of air. These tanks are different sizes/weights due to the different metal. They hold the same amount of air. Many steel tanks are actually bigger than AL80.

AL63 only holds 63 cubic feet of air. Less air than al80, but smaller tank than AL80. It costs less than an HP80, and is more likely to be available for rental at dive destinations than HP80.

Al80 is by far the most common tank in the world. They're a lot cheaper than steel tanks, and are ideal for most (but not all) divers doing single tank recreational dives. You'll find these tanks everywhere you go. In some places you'll find others, but not always.

As others have mentioned, most women have a big advantage over men when it comes to diving. Women tend to use less air. I know there's a hot air joke about us men coming shortly . That means you might be just fine with that al63 as others have said. One of my female dive buddies seems to breathe gas at about half the rate I do. My wife breathes at about the same rate as me. It will take you some time to see where you fall in terms of air use. Also as you get more comfortable with diving in general, your gas use will decrease.

 

[uncfnp]

About how long does one of those tanks lasts you? I know we're all different; I'm just curious

There are too many factors to give a meaningful answer. For me, a diver with a few dives under my belt, petite and female, my sac (a way of describing rate of gas use underwater) is relatively low. Even as a petite female your rate will likely be a bit higher at first but will improve with experience. The depth too effects the rate used and too the type of dive, drift vs active.

In general, 80 cf of gas (steel or aluminum) will easily get me an hour plus dive in typical recreational depths, especially drift diving. If I am doing an active dive, such as hunting, I prefer my HP100’s.

 

[laevimanus]

Thanks, everyone who has replied. You've all been so helpful.

@kelemvor Thanks for the explanation. The terminology is vast and can be confusing for a beginner.

There are too many factors to give a meaningful answer. For me, a diver with a few dives under my belt, petite and female, my sac (a way of describing rate of gas use underwater) is relatively low. Even as a petite female your rate will likely be a bit higher at first but will improve with experience. The depth too effects the rate used and too the type of dive, drift vs active.

In general, 80 cf of gas (steel or aluminum) will easily get me an hour plus dive in typical recreational depths, especially drift diving. If I am doing an active dive, such as hunting, I prefer my HP100’s.

Yeah, it's a newbie sort of question, but I just wanted some data points. Thanks.

 

[Tecomah]

hp 80s are a hit down here with people of smaller stature, but on longer or more strenuous dives most people I know either jump up to an hp100 or a low pressure 95.

 

[MAKO Spearguns]

Chris I definitely agree that I find I have to replace my stretchy suits all too often from loss of insulation. I have hesitated on the Mako suit because of the chest pad and because I have heard they can be difficult to get on.

I appreciate your feedback and questions on the MAKO suits. As for the chest pad, I doubt very much you will even notice it once you are wearing the suit. That portion of the suit is not required to stretch or move much, so a pad doesn't affect the feel of the suit much as all.

As for your question about donning a "freedive" suit. Let me assure you that with the proper use of the suit lube, you can slip into the suit very quickly and easily. Removing the suit (since it has no chest zipper) requires a little bit of technique, but 10 seconds of help from a buddy makes it super fast and simple.

We put together these two videos to help familiarize everyone with the techniques. When donning the suit, it takes probably 2 minutes to prepare the suit and ensure the interior is lubricated, but slipping into the suit itself is really fast and easy.

Thanks!

Dano

 

[uncfnp]

@MAKO Spearguns

Thanks Dano.

Hmmm. I think Eric might enjoy helping me out of that suit just a little too much

Seriously, I should have tried one of your suits a long time ago. I don’t need it now with summer here but your 5 mil is on my list as my next suit purchase.

One last question, I fly to dive alot and my checked luggage weight is usually maxed. I know your spray is optimal but in a pinch is there an alternative that I would have a reasonable expectation of finding at my dive destinations?

 

[MichaelMc]

Farmer john (or pants) and hooded beaver tail is an awesome style of wetsuit. Very little water exchange.

Hair conditioner diluted in water is the standard 'slide'. Mako's may be more exactly tailored to the purpose.

 

[Fruitographer]

As far as the tank banging against the knees, learn to frog kick and that should help a little bit. If it's still to much of an issue and money isn't a concern you could get a dive scooter. Most are huge and out of the question but Sub Gravity an incredible DPV called the AquaProp that's only $1,500 which is pretty cheap for a DPV. It's also extremely small for what it's capable of and very impressive along with being substantially lighter and easier to carry on land.

I have spinal issues and use a cart to move my tanks around. When I absolutely don't have the ability to use a cart, I'll lay them down on there side with the valve facing me and the bottom of the tank facing away. Grab the valve to hold it in a fixed pivoting position while lifting the bottom of the tank to essentially have it upside down. Now lean it against your should and then lift you hand holding the valve to bring the tank to a horizontal position on your shoulder. This requires very little effort and much easier than just grabbing a tank and swinging it over you shoulder, which there is no way I would be able to do.

you have equipment on that allows you to float so why try to stand if you can just inflate your BC and relax. You're not always going to be able to touch the bottom so I wouldn't worry about it. Other than pool training when I got certified, I can't think of any other time where it mattered and you couldn't just go to the depth you needed to be comfortable.

As for the idea of men carrying weight on their shoulders and women carrying a load on the hips. I wonder if that was women with children who tend to prop a child up on their side supported by their hips. There's no practical way to carry a tank to distribute the load on the hips instead of the shoulders that I can think of. With my spinal injury I would have figured it out at this point since it would take the pressure off my vertebrate.

I usually dive with a Bare HDC corder drysuit that was custom fit and I also have a Scubapro neoprene drysuit that fits really well that was bought off the shelf. My wetsuit is a Rieffe 7MM farmer John fits extremely well but is almost impossible to get in and out of. I buy a gallon of lube from the agricultural store that's used for impregnating cattle and it's only $10. Otherwise talcum powder is my next go to. So if you're on a trip and don't have the luggage room for wetsuit lube you can use some talcum powder. just make sure to get unscented so it doesn't degrade the suit

Just to make you feel a little taller, my wife and mother are both 4'11" and my sister is 4'10".

rhwestfall, that's a big height difference of 6'7" to 5'2".