Confessions of an Air Hog.....

[ScubaSixString]

Lobsta, Scubastew,

Thanks for the replies. I definantly DO need to get some more dives in. I'm new to this new england thing (a misplaced Georgia/Florida boy).

Looser fitting gear might be a good idea too.

I checked my air at room temp before i left (2750 psi) I had breathed off about 250 doing a SAC check (bad weather/nothing better to do ) the day before. When i arrived at the Pebble, i had almost 3000 (heat). The water was around 58 degrees. Room temp was probably somewhere around 73. So that could have been part of it. I shot a bag (for practice) and surfaced at 500psi and burned another 250 getting back to shore. (a snorkel would have been useful. Unfortunantly that was with my compass, sitting at home where it did the *most* good )

Thanks for the input....

When i get this all worked out perhaps i can consider myself an air pig rather than the larger air hog

 

[Randy43068]

I hog the air, too so I put a band-aid on the problem, ordered a PST E120 from Scubatoys today. I couldn't find one locally so I ordered it online. It this ain't enough air, I'll go to a E8-130 for air and use the 120 for NITROX. ...Then if I need more, I'll use doubles!

I dove pebble today. 1st dive in about a year. Made a max depth of 25 ft. and somehow burned through 2500 PSI (aluminum 80) in about 32 minutes. There was a little surge, but not much.

Is this normal for a old "newbie" ? I'm 6'1" 210 lbs.

This seems like a very high consumption rate given the depth.

 

[ScubaSixString]

I hog the air, too so I put a band-aid on the problem, ordered a PST E120 from Scubatoys today. I couldn't find one locally so I ordered it online. It this ain't enough air, I'll go to a E8-130 for air and use the 120 for NITROX. ...Then if I need more, I'll use doubles!

120? 130? Yikes..... what do those weigh? With my sure footing (i'm about as sure footed as a one legged drunken antelope) and these rocks, i'd bust an ankle for sure

 

[Randy43068]

120? 130? Yikes..... what do those weigh? With my sure footing (i'm about as sure footed as a one legged drunken antelope) and these rocks, i'd bust an ankle for sure

it means that I'll carry less lead around my waist.

 

[spectrum]

My wetsuit is rather tight, but it doesn't seem to constrict movement.--Scuba Six

Does it help you exhale? That can be a big clue.

Pete

 

[ScubaSixString]

Does it help you exhale? That can be a big clue.

Pete

Doesn't seem to....although i do have to suck in my stomach (its all muscle, right?? ) to get the zipper up.

Please don't tell me to get a fat boy suit.... i already got a cumberbund extender....my ego can't take much more

 

[matt_unique]

Don't be afraid to get what you need to be comfortable and safe. Your SAC will come down with time. Your anxiety level, currents/physical exertion, and neutral buoyancy skills will affect your SAC rate more than anything else (i.e. weighting or other gear).

I like to rest before I descend as well. It's harder to catch your breath underwater.

--Matt

 

[theskull]

Good tips so far. RELAX. Especially during your descent. People can use up a great deal of their gas supply during the descent--they pant because of anxiety (whether or not they realize it), they put too much air in their BC (and dump too much, and add too much, etc.).

Check your pressure just before you descend and again just after you descend. Just knowing that you are about to check up yourself at the bottom will help you be mindful of how much you are using on the way down.

And dive more.

Have fun and be safe,

theskull

 

[SCOOBA PHAN]

These are all good tips and will work as you get more experience but man i have to believe like scubastew, you have to have a leak somewhere to burn through that much air. Check the dump valves on your bc and the o-rings on the tanks. Have someone look all over you under water to see where all the air is going. without question you will get better with more dives but get the leak fixed and you will gain confidence quickly. good luck.

 

[ScubaSixString]

Good tips so far. RELAX. Especially during your descent. People can use up a great deal of their gas supply during the descent--they pant because of anxiety (whether or not they realize it), they put too much air in their BC (and dump too much, and add too much, etc.).

Check your pressure just before you descend and again just after you descend. Just knowing that you are about to check up yourself at the bottom will help you be mindful of how much you are using on the way down.

And dive more.

Have fun and be safe,

theskull

Great idea...see how much i'm hufffing on the down slide....I got to thinking....i've never had anywhere near the surface swim as i have here. Florida springs and wreck dives in NC....i might be huffin quite a bit before i start down...