How long for air consumption to improve?

[Wheeler925]

... If I were to guess, I bet you're so off balance that you're sculling with your hands.

A little bit, sometimes. Definitely has improved

 

[Sure Squintsalot]

I find that if you fold your arms, maintain perfect buoyancy, and frog kick once every 12 minutes, your air consumption will improve.

Oh... and smoking two packs a day seems to help too.

 

[The Chairman]

A little bit, sometimes. Definitely has improved

Move weights around until you achieve horizontal balance without having to fin or scull. Close your eyes for 10, 20, 30, and even 60 seconds as you dial it in.

 

[Reefy]

Excessive motion leads to excessive energy expenditure, which requires a higher consumption rate. The more you can refine your buoyancy by improving trim and stability, the quicker you'll start to see an improvement in air consumption, because you'll be able to reduce any unnecessary movement. Using a less strenuous finning motion, such as the frog kick, will also help with this.

 

[The Chairman]

Using a less strenuous finning motion, such as the frog kick, will also help with this.

Don't give away all our secrets.

 

[flushbad]

I'm a bigger dude, 220lbs 6' 2" with a resting HR in the 60s, athletic, used to swim competitively in my youth.

I like to breathe deeply above water ..... and under water - I still drain my air much faster than my friends who are not as athletic. If I surface with 500, they are at 1000 or more. I'm just happy to make it to 60 mins dive time.

Get Nitrox certified too, switch to bigger tank or use Nitrox always to help with your longevity. Watch how more experienced divers move, especially your DM.

But if you dart left and right constantly to look at things, take photos, you will run out of air much much faster - you might as well just switch to a larger tank for this kind of activity.

 

[scubadada]

Hi @Wheeler925

A lot of good advice, some incorrect, nitrox does not improve gas consumption.

Buoyancy, trim, propulsion, relaxation, breathing... You've probably seen this thread, long, but much good information.

Average Gas Consumption

There has been extensive discussion lately regarding average gas consumption. A poll may help give us a better idea of what the normal distribution of RMVs is. 1 cu ft = 28.32 liters 1 liter = 0.035 cu ft 28.3 l/min

scubaboard.com

 

[Wheeler925]

And sometimes life is just not fair. My usual dive buddy (a relative by marriage, not blood) has a gas consumption rate just slightly north of zero.

I think that is what prompted my thread. Been diving with someone who I'm convinced actually has gills. A ton more experience than me, but they go deeper than me and are coming up with a half tank when they're with me.

 

[Boarderguy]

Nothing kills my confidence faster than asking literally anyone else on the boat how much gas they have left in their tank after the dive

Dive more, breathe easier, do less, enjoy more. You'll get it.

 

[Boarderguy]

If all else fails, get a scooter and stop fining. Life is better at the pull of a trigger.