How to better manage air

[rachelscott51]

I am a bit of an air sucker and besides general health (I'm in good shape) and continued diving, what other suggestions do people have to better regulate their air? So far, I've found that yoga helps me with my breath but am looking for other ways to stay down longer.

 

[Wendy]

have proper weighting
have good trim and bouyancy skills
be horizontal in the water
streamline your gear, no danglies

see if that helps

 

[novadiver]

I am a bit of an air sucker and besides general health (I'm in good shape) and continued diving, what other suggestions do people have to better regulate their air? So far, I've found that yoga helps me with my breath but am looking for other ways to stay down longer.

You might want to invest in a high performance reg. The apex atx 50 can be tuned at depth to decrease the work it takes to breath. that saves gas in the long run.

 

[TekDiveGirl]

What they said - streamline - proper weighting - trim etc etc etc -- and my best advice beyond that -- be sure you are warm. Nothing will cause you to go through air like being cold. If you are diving wet up there and find you are getting cold quickly maybe you better thing about getting a drysuit.

Then just dive as much as you possibly can. The more you dive and get your self down to where everything is second nature the less air you will go through. Keep at it and one day it will come!

Kimber

 

[Charlie99]

As Wendy says, proper weighting, good trim, and good buoyancy skills will help.

Many new divers are both overweighted and have too little air in their BC. To keep from sinking they have to constantly constantly fin while at at 45 degree head up, feet down position.

You should be able to stop ALL movement and stay more or less in the same position and depth. If you can do this, then diving isn't such hard work anymore.

Nice, gentle, easy movement leads to lower air consumption.

Being properly neutral may also have a general calming effect, since you will feel much more in control when you don't have to keep actively finning to keep from sinking.

 

[herman]

To the good suggestions you have already been given I will add ..
SLOW DOWN ...why many divers dive like they are in a race I will never know. A slow steady pace is far easier on air and it gives you time to look around. You will be amazed at what is around you if you take the time and look.

 

[opiniongirl]

get your own equipment. Equipment that fits properly will work with you. Invest in a high-end fin, to help you move easier through the water.

As well - some folks simply have big lungs...try not to focus on it, relax, and enjoy the time you DO spend under. Dive with a bigger tank, or even doubles, or a sling. Do you smoke?

 

[rachelscott51]

I own all my equipment, use a Mares Plana Avanti fin, and do not smoke. I just feel like I am taking huge breaths, and can't seem to slow down very well. I'm trying though.

 

[Wendy]

get your own equipment. Equipment that fits properly will work with you. Invest in a high-end fin, to help you move easier through the water.

As well - some folks simply have big lungs...try not to focus on it, relax, and enjoy the time you DO spend under. Dive with a bigger tank, or even doubles, or a sling. Do you smoke?

are you saying expensive fins are better?

And there are ways of having better air consumption that recommending doubles or a pony bottle, or some huge tank. To me those are the answers to the problem for people that don't want to try the other suggestions. Besides even with a bigger tank or doubles, there is still NDL's to follow.

Sorry, I just have to disagree with you a little.

 

[pasley]

1. Proper weighting
2. Streamline your gear
3. Take you hands and lock your fingers together in front of you or under your tank. Moving your hands around (many try to help propel themselves by swimming with their ineffecient hands) will only use additional air.
4. Move slow, relax and move dead slow. Don't hurry to do anything.
5. Relax and enjoy the dive.