How do I improve my air consumption?

[glennshapiro]

Hi everyone,

Here is my story.

I received my Open Water certification in May 2004.
I have been so busy at my job that I haven't had a vacation since then.

I finally have the chance to go on vacation this March.
Since I am going to Disney World for this vacation, I looked into Epcot DiveQuest - a diving experience where I would dive for 40 minutes, 25 feet deep max, in one of the biggest water tanks in the world.

During my certification in 2004, I was a complete "air-hog". On my second dive I went 80 feet underwater and had to ascend 20 minutes later!!

I looked in one of the forums here and noticed that one person said to use the "3 second in - 10 seconds out". I am going to use this for my next dive.

As you can tell I am a beginnner certified diver. I still need to buy a log book!

I would really appreciate any advice to increase my air coonsumption AND how much weight do I need to attach (i.e. I am 5'11" and 195 lbs.).

Thank you all for your help,
Glenn:14:

 

[Gary D.]

Hi everyone,

Here is my story.

I received my Open Water certification in May 2004.
I have been so busy at my job that I haven't had a vacation since then.

I finally have the chance to go on vacation this March.
Since I am going to Disney World for this vacation, I looked into Epcot DiveQuest - a diving experience where I would dive for 40 minutes, 25 feet deep max, in one of the biggest water tanks in the world.

During my certification in 2004, I was a complete "air-hog". On my second dive I went 80 feet underwater and had to ascend 20 minutes later!!

I looked in one of the forums here and noticed that one person said to use the "3 second in - 10 seconds out". I am going to use this for my next dive.

As you can tell I am a beginnner certified diver. I still need to buy a log book!

I would really appreciate any advice to increase my air coonsumption AND how much weight do I need to attach (i.e. I am 5'11" and 195 lbs.).

Thank you all for your help,
Glenn:14:

I would highly recommend against using any kind of breathing control as a new diver. The only solution to reduce air consumption is experience.

Practice the XALER method. Stay away from controlled breathing. As a new diver you have enough to think about so just go diving and breathe in and out as you need it, NORMALLY.

Gary D.

 

[Diver Dennis]

Hi Glenn and welcome to Scuba Board. I guess the best adice I've heard here is just to practice. A good SAC does not usually come over night so just relax and practice your diving skills and your SAC will improve as you log more dives.
Weight will depend on what you are wearing for an exposure suit and where you are diving, salt or fresh water. You can always wait until you get to your dive destination and the DMs or instructors will be happy to help.

 

[Rick Murchison]

20 minutes at 80 feet ain't that bad... and should be good enough to get you your 40 at 25.
So... relax and enjoy your dive.
As for improving your air consumption in the long run, the most useful thing you can do is to go diving. Even if you just spend some time on the bottom of a pool goofing off and working on buoyancy, time in the water is the ultimate key to better air consumption.
R E L A X.....
Rick

 

[Brewone0to]

Dive,Dive,Dive
Diving experience and underwater comfort seem to have the most to do with improving air consumption.As one becomes more comfortable
in a hostile enviroment. (Can't breathe underwater/unknown hazards)
Also proper weighting and trim can significally improve SAC rates.
Being and moving about underwater as efficiently as possible, It's the little things such as flailing you arms in an attempt to manuver or turn.these things should be done using legs/fins (which should be best matched in design efficiency/users ability to exert them through normal ammounts of effort) Making exagerated breathes(Breathing in FULL inhales and exhales can improve SAC rates from 10-25% along)While larger tanks will increase underwater time. It is doubtful that without special arrangements you cannot obtain a cylinder(tank) of more than 80 cu ft.
I have only seen a few places that other sizes were even available for rent as aluminum 80's are the rental tank of choice by almost all operators and dive shops.
Try to find somewhere you can get in some pre-trip experience.Even a pool works somewhat for that,and alot of dive shops have pools that they usually would rent.
Sometimes they will allow you to use for free if testing/buying gear,always need more gear(if you don't send me a message and I can give you a long list of some I want )
Hope this helps you out

 

[spectrum]

If you can't go diving betwen now and then can you get in the pool someplace like the Y or other big pool?

If so take your booties, fins mask and snorkel and get in the water doing laps. Concentrate on a nice deep slow breathing pattern. The dead air space of the snorkel will encorage thi s behavior. Swim at your most agressive but comfortable pace. For me its 30 secods to cover 25 yards with abiout 12 breaths. This will instll a lot of good stuff and when you put that regulator in your mouth for a leisurely hyperbaric scuba dive your respiration will slow down and you will have plenty of air.

As for the weights, don't worry. They'll have a good idea since I believe you use pretty much all of their gear.

Also as mentioned air consumption is prett light at 25 feet.

At 30 feet a SAC of 1 (which is like a panicked diver) X 2 ATM (surface + 33 feet) X 40 minutes is 80 cubic feet so you should be fine in any event.

Have you been dving at all since May of 04? Diving isn't just for vacation you know..

Pete

Pete

 

[tiburon72157]

first off glenn, you want to reduce your air consumption, not "improve" it. semantics really, and we know what you really mean, but using the correct verbage will help you when communicating with more experienced dive folks. not sure where you live, but if taking a scuba referesher course before your vacation is an option, do it. it will help immensely. i can not stress that enough to you. anything that will improve your comfort level underwater, theorectically should reduce your air consumption as well. physiologically speaking, everyone is different and the amount of weight you should be carrying, can vary quite a bit and depends on numerous factors, not just your body weight/type. it's not that black and white unfortunately. controlled inhalation and exhalation is also key. fine tune your trim with the help of an experienced and knowledgable local diver, i.e. DM, instructor, etc. lastly, consistent exercise will help you manage your air consumption and maximize the working efficiency of your lungs as well. remember to practice, glide and relax and check into a refresher course. having done that stuff, 25 ft. for 40 minutes should make you good to go...

 

[tedwhiteva]

quote"
I finally have the chance to go on vacation this March.
Since I am going to Disney World for this vacation, I looked into Epcot DiveQuest - a diving experience where I would dive for 40 minutes, 25 feet deep max, in one of the biggest water tanks in the world.
"unquote

Glenn

Don't worry about weight and air consumption at Dive Quest. I just did it last weekend, and they have the BC already weighted - actually over-weighted. All you need to do is tel them your BC, Wetsuit, and shoe size - they pre-set everything. And if you run low on air - 2 in my group did - they change the tank out for you in about 2 minutes! So you can relax and enjoy the fish and even more the people on the other side of the windows in the restaurant.

 

[Hoosier]

Run Run Run

Dive Dive Dive

Run Run Run

Dive Dive Dive

 

[RiotNrrd]

I think the key is the "relax" part of what most people tell you. I've never heard of the "three in, ten out" rule, but I just make a point to beathe deep and slowly. If you think about it, every breath you take is getting a lot more oxygen than you ever get at the surface, so you should be able to breathe a LOT slower without any problem. I tend to "sip" air in at a slow rate, hold it for about 1/2 - 1 second (I know, don't hold it, but this is so quick I don't think it counts), then slowly expel it, the keep my lungs empty for 1/2 - 1 second, then go again. Over time, you'll get more comfortable with it - the trick is to just remember you don't need to breathe that fast.