ScottB
Contributor
I've noticed I do the vast majority of my buoyancy control with lung control.. basically adjusting my breathing.
If I need to be less buoyant, I go from full exhale and only inhale half my normal breath, and repeat the cycle.
If I need to be more buoyant, I go from full inhale, and only exhale half my normal breath, and repeat the cycle.
I realize this isn't the best thing in terms of carbon dioxide retention as the ratio of dead space from my lungs to the intake/exhaust valves is smaller than if I were to take a full breath every respiration.
However, I did a little math, and based on average lung vital capacity of 4.2 liters, this change from breathing on the bottom half to breathing on the top half of my lung capacity results in a change of roughly 4.7 pounds.
So in theory.. in warm water diving where loss of buoyancy from exposure protection compressing is negligible, I should be able to dive without a vest/wing as long as the weight change from full tank to empty tank is less than 4.7 pounds (consumption of 58 cubic feet of air) *AND* I am weighted neutral with a full tank and 3/4 full lungs (average for more buoyant lung capacity respirations) *or* neutral empty tank with 1/4 full lungs (average for less buoyant lung capacity respirations)
So am I right? If I set myself up right.. in theory I could dive comfortably with a 63 cubic foot tank, and finish with a 5 cubic foot reserve, without using a BCD..
Of course I would most definitely bring a lift bag for an emergency event requiring floatation.
Please tell me I'm right.. I soooo want to make an ultra minimal system =)
If I need to be less buoyant, I go from full exhale and only inhale half my normal breath, and repeat the cycle.
If I need to be more buoyant, I go from full inhale, and only exhale half my normal breath, and repeat the cycle.
I realize this isn't the best thing in terms of carbon dioxide retention as the ratio of dead space from my lungs to the intake/exhaust valves is smaller than if I were to take a full breath every respiration.
However, I did a little math, and based on average lung vital capacity of 4.2 liters, this change from breathing on the bottom half to breathing on the top half of my lung capacity results in a change of roughly 4.7 pounds.
So in theory.. in warm water diving where loss of buoyancy from exposure protection compressing is negligible, I should be able to dive without a vest/wing as long as the weight change from full tank to empty tank is less than 4.7 pounds (consumption of 58 cubic feet of air) *AND* I am weighted neutral with a full tank and 3/4 full lungs (average for more buoyant lung capacity respirations) *or* neutral empty tank with 1/4 full lungs (average for less buoyant lung capacity respirations)
So am I right? If I set myself up right.. in theory I could dive comfortably with a 63 cubic foot tank, and finish with a 5 cubic foot reserve, without using a BCD..
Of course I would most definitely bring a lift bag for an emergency event requiring floatation.
Please tell me I'm right.. I soooo want to make an ultra minimal system =)