Average Gas Consumption

[gopbroek]

Comparing RMV values to other divers is often like comparing apples to oranges unless you are doing similar dives. I have a pretty good value in the low .4's but the reason for this is I am diving in one of the least stressful environment’s there is: Cozumel. A lightweight wet suit in warm waters with visibility normally better 500’ and a moderate current that does the work for me, basically when trimmed out correctly you float like a jelly fish and expend the absolute minimum of energy. When I take the same conditions and add a Hawaiian sling and start moderate finning around looking for lionfish, it goes up a minimum of 10%. If I was actually working or in a 7MM suit or a dry suit and in cold water with low visibility I would expect my rate to rise dramatically.

 

[Dnaber]

I believe that every environment will change the way you breath. I have a couple friends that sip air like Scubadada and they put me to shame. But I'm still new to the game and I see thing in a different light then they do and they are more relaxed. Some day, soon I hope I will be at a comfort level where I can relax more and not try to see everything and race around. This last year I have been really trying to tell myself that is not a race and to slow down. Enjoy the sights that are around me if my buddy doesn't like the speed at which I dive to bad. That's one of the reason I took the PADi Self-reliant. If my buddy whats to go off and see something and I'm enjoying something else he can go. I'm getting comfortable with my diving and my gear to the point where I can be left alone for a while and not be concerned. It all just takes time. BTW I also have the Oceanlog software and the information it provides me is great feedback of my diving.

Dive long and dive safe!!!

 

[Storker]

Comparing RMV values to other divers is often like comparing apples to oranges unless you are doing similar dives.

And in similar gear. Back home, in a DS in cold water, I normally average some 16-18 SLM (0.6-0.69 cuf/min), but have logged up to ~25 SLM (nearly 0.89 cuf/min) and down to ~12 SLM (0.4 cuf/min) on occasion. On vacation, in a 5mm WS and 18-20 C water, I usually get some 12-15 SLM (0.4-0.59 cuf/min).

 

[gcarter]

Comparing RMV values to other divers is often like comparing apples to oranges unless you are doing similar dives. I have a pretty good value in the low .4's but the reason for this is I am diving in one of the least stressful environment’s there is: Cozumel. A lightweight wet suit in warm waters with visibility normally better 500’ and a moderate current that does the work for me, basically when trimmed out correctly you float like a jelly fish and expend the absolute minimum of energy. When I take the same conditions and add a Hawaiian sling and start moderate finning around looking for lionfish, it goes up a minimum of 10%. If I was actually working or in a 7MM suit or a dry suit and in cold water with low visibility I would expect my rate to rise dramatically.

I hit an all time low of 0.39 on the Riveria Maya in September, averaged 0.5 for the trip. My high for the year - local cold water low viz diving was 0.8.

 

[Beau640]

Oh gcarter and the hyperventilation again stop hyperventilating! You're going to pass out

 

[scubadada]

It's useful to know one's average gas consumption, but also useful to know the variability and reasons for it. I have my RMV for the last 800+ dives and know that the average is 0.37 and that the standard deviation is 0.04 cf/min. That means that about two thirds of my dives are between 0.33 and 0.41 and about 95% are between 0.29 and 0.45. The real range is 0.28-0.63. For me, being cold is probably the most important variable raising my RMV, as important as exertion. I have taken more care to stay warm and it has paid dividends. I use twice my average RMV, 0.75 cf/min for my emergency gas planning such as choosing a pony for my solo dives.

Following your RMV over time also has the potential to reveal your improvement in buoyancy, trim, swimming efficiency, and breathing. I did not start capturing my RMV until I had about 450 dives. The improvement in my RMV since then has not been dramatic, but the variabilty has decreased

 

[archer1960]

I run ~0.51 or so in good conditions (tropical water, little exposure protection, etc) to ~.65 to .68 in cold New England water with heavy wetsuits, more weight, surge, etc.

 

[scubadada]

If you have not previously responded to this poll, please consider doing so, I would like to increase the database

Edit: Thanks, there have been 5 additional responses already, I look forward to more

 

[Nick Steele]

I’m still a newbie and I’m seeing improvement within my gas consumption on every dive so far. Checkout dives I was at a .95-1.05 RMV last month on two dives I ran a .78 and .82. Only 9 dives in so far and still working on things hopping to get down to .4-.6 RMV in the future.

 

[Saniflush]

.55 for me. Always trying to get lower.