Question Air consumption, is mine good?

[Blackcrusader]

A diver's fitness level directly impacts their breathing rate. Out of shape divers may tire more easily, leading to increased breathing effort and faster air consumption.

I'm nearly 65 and my BMI above 30. In Maldives last month we had a visiting guide from India. Young 20's, athletic, and guzzled his air so badly on one dive he led. He went as fast as possible into currents and after 30 minutes into the dive had to end the dive as he had only 50 bar when he called the dive. I was back on the boat with 100 bar and many other divers had more than 70 bar. Owner of the dive op discussed this with me as this did not please me or the other divers that the dive time was limited to what turned out to be an inexperienced guide.

Yes I am not as strong or have the stamina of the younger people, but I have better tecnique and set myself a pace that I can manage and not tire myself out even if I fall behind a bit. Knowing how not to over exert yourself is important as well.

 

[Centrals]

A diver's fitness level directly impacts their breathing rate. Out of shape divers may tire more easily, leading to increased breathing effort and faster air consumption.

BMI has nothing to do with fitness, two different kettle of fish.
BMI cannot tell what % of a person weight is from their fat, muscule or bone.
BMI is obsolete.

 

[Sascha314]

Be aware also of your breathing pattern. You should become natural with it, steady breathing.

Remember not to hold your breath.
The urge to breath comes from CO2 buildup. So always exhale fully.
Your body needs to metabolize the oxygen in the lung, so give it time.

So neither a max full deep breath, nor shallow. Try to give a good breath, then open op and let the air escape naturally/slowly. Then before the next breath exhale deeply.
You may want to play with the first part, so you do not want to have too much airnin the lungs. As it may screw your buyoncy. If you are very shallow you may want to breath out more and deeper quickly, so you do not want to add more lead.

Observe your natural breathing pattern. Quicker inhale, long exhale.
Maybe try a pattwrn for 2 -3 dives, then another. It may give you a feeling. The let it become natural.


Remember never hold your breath, especially when inhaled. But also forcing to breath less will result in a more exortion feeling, so you will end up using more gas, having a different buyoncy, so the need to compensate with the bcd more often - adding up.

 

[Wheeler925]

Oh wow, I thought for sure you'd be that dude with the triples haha. He was an animal with those, but man what a beast of burden those must be.

Great video! @Wheeler925

And yeah, definitely felt like a race.

Were you the diver testing out your new used wetsuit?

Yes I was the one testing my new to me drysuit. We were talking at the dive shop when I returned my tanks and weights about the guy with triples, and figured he's insane. EACH tank has a 6.5lb buoyancy difference between full and empty, so if he ran all down to 500psi he'd need an EXTRA 24 or something pounds of weight to stay down, not counting exposure suit buoyancy.

 

[inquis]

if he ran all down to 500psi he'd need an EXTRA 24 or something pounds of weight to stay down

Actually, no. He would be weighted for nearly empty tanks. I don't know the specs, but if they are neutral (incl. manifolds & regs) for example when empty, the number doesn't matter. The only lead he'd need to add would be to combat positive buoyancy items like an exposure suit or the effect of salt water.

(The danger is actually on the other end, where he needs a sufficient wing lift and redundant buoyancy mechanism if he's smart.)

 

[Wheeler925]

Actually, no. He would be weighted for nearly empty tanks. I don't know the specs, but if they are neutral (incl. manifolds & regs) for example when empty, the number doesn't matter. The only lead he'd need to add would be to combat positive buoyancy items like an exposure suit or the effect of salt water.

(The danger is actually on the other end, where he needs a sufficient wing lift and redundant buoyancy mechanism if he's smart.)

Ah yes this is fair.

 

[Awkwatic]

Yes I was the one testing my new to me drysuit. We were talking at the dive shop when I returned my tanks and weights about the guy with triples, and figured he's insane. EACH tank has a 6.5lb buoyancy difference between full and empty, so if he ran all down to 500psi he'd need an EXTRA 24 or something pounds of weight to stay down, not counting exposure suit buoyancy.

Yeah I showed Mike the video I had of Mr. Triple and his jaw dropped haha.

I'll be diving at Beaver lake this saturday at 8am.