biggest issues diving as a female

[Bookworm11]

I haven't noticed women being more "cold sensitive" than men. I have noticed there are more men just diving in just bathing suits and rash guards,though. Or a shortie or just a skinsuit. I've never had a dive shortened because someone was too cold.

 

[Rickk]

Since the op mentioned men in her post I'll comment. The fact that women can last longer on a dive, all other things being equal, or surface with more gas is something that I've noticed. I don't think this is due to women having better lungs but smaller ones. Therefore, they have lower gas consumption. The other thing I've noticed is that women, in general, move slightly slower than men which contributes to lower gas consumption.

Women also tend to have less lean muscle mass and a higher body fat percentage, even for people of same total mass, which helps air consumption.

 

[Kimela]

Women also tend to have less lean muscle mass and a higher body fat percentage, even for people of same total mass, which helps air consumption.

I saw something recently that reflected ‘my’ reality. It indicated that your sac rate was more dependent on your state of mind than on your fitness. When I’m anxious - for any reason - I use more air. Of course I also use more air if I’m more physically active (fighting current). In general, the more I can relax, the better my air consumption.

 

[bradlw]

I'm not a girl, so what do I know?
also this affects many boys too.....
& I know this has already been mentioned.....
but from this outsider....long hair and tangles seems to be a big problem/difference.

I remember one time on a dive charter many years ago in my bachelor days, there was male divemaster on the boat with long hair, and he had all the girls circled around and was teaching them some sort of braiding technique. I for some reason remember he called it a "Pirate braid" or something like that....

Does anyone here happen to know what that might have been? I'd love to tell my daughters so they can look it up? When I google it it just comes up as a french braid. If that's the case then I can't imagine any girl not knowing that....so they must have been circled around that guy for some other reason

 

[Blackcrusader]

I saw something recently that reflected ‘my’ reality. It indicated that your sac rate was more dependent on your state of mind than on your fitness. When I’m anxious - for any reason - I use more air. Of course I also use more air if I’m more physically active (fighting current). In general, the more I can relax, the better my air consumption.

Could it have been in this thread? I wrote about being calm before and during my dives...

Post in thread 'An age-old question: ways to 60m.'

Jul 11, 2025

Buying a better reg won't help, only lowering SAC rate and breathing more slowly, or using a gas with lower density will.

I have a decent SAC rate so maybe that helps me with deep air dives. I;ve never felt being restricted on breathing at depth. Have I had deep dives on air where I needed to work out on a dive, sure. But I still try to maintain my slow deep inhales and exhales.

One thing some people have noticed is that I kit up and "rest" before a dive. I like to be calm and not excited. I've seen divers kit up rush to exit the boat and they are all over the place. Had a...

• Blackcrusader

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[Centrals]

Could it have been in this thread? I wrote about being calm before and during my dives...

Didn't realize you are a female!!!

 

[Kimela]

Could it have been in this thread? I wrote about being calm before and during my dives...

I thought it was on Facebook (I follow a few folks who post dive reels), but who knows with my memory! I remember in our early dive days, being on a boat with a couple who were about our ages now (65-70). They were both heavy smokers and drinkers (we had dinner with them one night - that's how we found out about both). They had GREAT sac rates. We joked that they 'sipped' air. Not great physical fitness, but so relaxed in the water.

 

[Blackcrusader]

I thought it was on Facebook (I follow a few folks who post dive reels), but who knows with my memory! I remember in our early dive days, being on a boat with a couple who were about our ages now (65-70). They were both heavy smokers and drinkers (we had dinner with them one night - that's how we found out about both). They had GREAT sac rates. We joked that they 'sipped' air. Not great physical fitness, but so relaxed in the water.

I used to smoke stopped when I was around 45 years old. My wife said she was stepping out to get me some I said nup, quitting cold turkey. I'm an old fat white dude and people are always surprised at my gas consumption. One time at end of day some woman was asking me how it was possible I used so little gas.
I told her I used to smoke 2 packs a day got lung cancer, had one lung removed so now used half the air as before. She ran into the dive shop asking the manager how the hell did I pass a medical. He gives me grief for telling porky pies as this woman accepted what I told her as truth lol I shouldn't do it but I still tell this story to some people from time to time when they ask me why I am so good on gas. I'm 65 next month lol

 

[Marie13]

That is 100% not the case for me and my wife.
My wife is normally in xerotherm bottoms with an arctic top in the Great Lakes. I am in a Halo with a baselayer and a heated vest on high the entire dive. I am always the first to wuss out and call it because I am cold. She is like a damned Polar Bear.

Cold is good. Cold is life. Being hot sucks.

 

[Kimela]

I used to smoke stopped when I was around 45 years old. My wife said she was stepping out to get me some I said nup, quitting cold turkey. I'm an old fat white dude and people are always surprised at my gas consumption. One time at end of day some woman was asking me how it was possible I used so little gas.
I told her I used to smoke 2 packs a day got lung cancer, had one lung removed so now used half the air as before. She ran into the dive shop asking the manager how the hell did I pass a medical. He gives me grief for telling porky pies as this woman accepted what I told her as truth lol I shouldn't do it but I still tell this story to some people from time to time when they ask me why I am so good on gas. I'm 65 next month lol

Happy early birthday! My 65th was on Monday! We are OLD!!! (but not as old as some here - tee tee!)