Air Usage by Teenagers

[turbinetech2]

My soon to be 16 year old son received his certification last weekend. He went thru all the training very well, he is like a fish in water and we would often freedive to 15-25 feet whenever in a lake that had good visibility. I believe his comfort level is very good in the water whether freediving or on scuba, however, his air use is almost a 1/3 more than my own. I do not have that many dives under my belt, but am also very comfortable in the water. He is in good physical condition overall, but I am curious on everyones thought on possible reasons for his high air intake. I understand that being comfortable in the water without scuba gear on, does not equate to the exact same comfort level as a beginning diver. His dive setup is the same as my own. Thanks for your input!

 

[c555]

Im 14 and have a good SAC, I think better than average, but my 12 year old brother who tried diving went through a full 80 in a pool in about 25 minutes. Its probably just how comfortable he is.

 

[CIBDiving]

Having driven a schoolbus - I feel that all teenagers are a waste of air. Parents should raise thier kids till they're 10 then EAT them.

 

[The Natural]

Size, your bigger with more muscle, hence you require more O2.

*dont quote me on that, someone feel free to prove me wrong*

 

[jdcpa]

I too would like an explanation on this. My 12 year old, less than half my size uses more air than I do and my SAC ain't nothing to write home about. He has about 50 dives and I too think he is extremely comfortable in the water.

He does like to fiddle around underwater though, I do look over sometimes and he is upside down looking around, or floating along on his back, he does backflips and you name it underwater.

Maybe I answered my own question, you think?

 

[lamont]

i lot of lowering SAC rate is technique. the more you hover and glide through the water the less air you'll use compared to constantly kicking with your large leg muscles.

 

[Paco]

Frequently I see teenagers swimming very quickly under water. If he moves around fast, this could account for a higher air consumption as well.

 

[ChrisA]

If you ar very uncomfortable you will wate air but after a certain levle of comfort is reached what really maters is how much you move. I watch some budies that are really good and they don't move, or at least appear to move only minimally. Arms kept in streamlined possition and frog kicks with long glides, almost never adjust the air in the BC. Ativity level matters.

I have at least two diving modes. If I'm diving with someone who is using air fast then I will go into non-conservation mode and be much mor ative and dart around, do headstands to see under rocks and so on. But I can also strech my air by keeping horizontal trim, thumbs in waistbelt, elbows in and using a slow kick. I can reduce air usage by 30% by being very inactive and staying a few feet higher in the water column, waitting longer to clear the mask and so on.

 

[scubadobadoo]

My soon to be 16 year old son received his certification last weekend. He went thru all the training very well, he is like a fish in water and we would often freedive to 15-25 feet whenever in a lake that had good visibility. I believe his comfort level is very good in the water whether freediving or on scuba, however, his air use is almost a 1/3 more than my own. I do not have that many dives under my belt, but am also very comfortable in the water. He is in good physical condition overall, but I am curious on everyones thought on possible reasons for his high air intake. I understand that being comfortable in the water without scuba gear on, does not equate to the exact same comfort level as a beginning diver. His dive setup is the same as my own. Thanks for your input!

I believe the answer is that you have been diving for two years and he just started. Perhaps he isn't as comfy as you think yet. ALso, if he is bigger than you, he will use more air. Just ask him to concentrate on breathing in a calm manner even if he thinks he already is. Have fun!

 

[Dan Dan the Scuba Man]

I, being a teenager, can agree with the fact that most of us have ****ty SAC rates... i go through an AL 80 in about 45 minits but thats darting around.. i'm 5'10" and generally speaking rush around a lot.. i like to play around on dives.. praticing technique and what not..