How to conserve air???

[Dr Wu]

Dr WU, not to the point of the thread and damn rude as well! I don't remember anyone asking you????? So is your head!

You know the funny thing is Whales seem to do pretty well for Fat Animals! There is no evidence that in SCUBA a big person can't conserve air or energy? But not the posters point or question! At least dp was diplomatic about it!

His height, weight and physical conditioning are relevant to the topic. That’s why he provided the information.

At that size there are many reasons why the OP will have difficulty diving safely. The BMI and smoking are just two.

Comparing whales (which have evolved in the ocean) and humans (which have not) is not exactly valid.

That said it was not my intention to be rude. Simply pragmatic.

 

[Dr Wu]

I'm sure that there are many that will disagree with this.

You are correct. Many will disagree with that.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

Well then it maybe a matter of comfort as my longest dives have been on 32% and 36% and have to tell you that more O2 in the lunges better exchange and better performance, I experience way fewer headaches, and have never had a dry mouth on Nitrox! I am a Geezer Gas fan all the way!

So remind me why we give DCS victims pure O2?

@Papa_Bear: Yes, I think we've all heard those same anecdotal statements regarding the advantages of using nitrox: less fatigue and fewer post-dive headaches. There may be something to that, but as far as I know, no studies have provided evidence supporting this. What probably makes it difficult is quantifying self-reported fatigue. As for the headaches, I'd look to carbon dioxide retention and alterations in your normal breathing pattern (e.g., shallow breathing, skip breathing, etc.) before attributing fewer headaches to the nitrox. But, as I said, there may be something to it.

I'm almost afraid to address your question. Frankly, I fail to see the relevance of it. I can assure you that we do not administer oxygen to DCS patients for the sake of improving their gas consumption. As you know, for practical purposes, the amount of gas you "use" during a dive is dependent on the volume of each breath and how often one breathes. The rate of oxygen metabolism and efficiency of diffusion across alveolar capillaries have no bearing at all on how much or how little gas comes out of the tank.

Are you a scuba instructor? I do not mean any disrespect with this question. You are a very experienced diver (far more experienced than I), yet we seem to disagree frequently on these SB threads. In any case, I enjoy the discourse...and I hope it proves useful for the SB audience.

 

[onefastpony]

just for everybodys curiosity, yes i am a ex football player and ex ranger, spent 9 years in the army and loved everyminute of it, yes i do have a beer gut from living in germany but belive me i am solid.ggrrr

 

[Bubbletrubble]

just for everybodys curiosity, yes i am a ex football player and ex ranger, spent 9 years in the army and loved everyminute of it, yes i do have a beer gut from living in germany but belive me i am solid.ggrrr

Germany. Beer. Game meats. Sausages. Amazing breads (e.g., roggenmischbrot). Who can blame ya?

Have fun out there and don't let the less-than-tactful comments discourage you. Diving is a lot of fun. Your gas consumption will improve with greater relaxation and more experience. Lots of great suggestions on this thread.

 

[divezonescuba]

Onefastpony:

It obvious that some people on this board don't seem to understand that this is a learning zone where you can ask questions without fear of being accosted. Others don't seem to understand the difference between a refereed journal manuscript and scubaboard.

Simply put what works for others may not work for you and conversely what works for you may not work for others. But, you will need to try different things in addition to gaining more experience before you can improve your gas consumption rate. I my particular case, I've found EANx to be beneficial.

At the risk of making another statement that others may demand a "double blind" study on, I'd say that if you try underwater photography that you will increase your gas consumption. In otherwords, don't be surprised if your gas consumption increases as a result of setting up your shots.

Don't be mislead or discouraged by negative arguments demanding proof of this or that or any personal insults.

 

[Papa_Bear]

DT, I feel I have seen this activity go from Glider to rocket in 40 years! In the 70 as a TA I trained over two hundred divers in four years and still teach Digital Photography! The one thing I have always tried to do is never for get the level of the person asking me a question! Never forget the wonder and lack of knowledge we all had in the beginning! What is old hat to us is still shinny and new to many!

Better utilization of gas allows less gas to be used over the same time and depth! Next as a Photographer I do hold my breath often underwater, but never on accent, it is part of what I do! So yes I do skip breath at times and Nitrox allows that without ill effect! Also if your Zen level is high do to less stress over monitoring your nitrogen will working you are automatically calmer and will breath easier using less gas! A photographers work load is different from most divers and I can tell you moving a lot with a camera uses anywhere from 20 to 30% more air! Video is the higher number for sure!

BTW I know its not to improve CONSUMPTION but improve O2 absorption and replacement of nitrogen in the blood since O2 can be metabolized!

 

[diver 85]

More diving.......works wonders for lesser air consumption

 

[The Kraken]

I'm sure that there are many that will disagree with this.

You can use enhanced air Nitrox. Aside of the acknowledged bottom time extensions, some people including myself have found it useful for reducing gas consumption. Other people who have lung issues from smoking or are older also seem to find it beneficiary.

I am still collecting statistics, but the trend with me seems to be after two OW training dives, I will have between 750 -1000 psi left in an AL80 that was filled with air at 3000 psi. With EAN36 (36 % oxygen) I will have between 500-750 psi left in an AL80 after three training dives that was also filled at 3000 psi .

When instructing, I have found that I use up more air than normal. I cannot make more than 2 training dives on one AL80. So, if the circumstances call for it, the only way I can safely do 3 without changing tanks is with EAN36. Some of the older instructors that I aware of use up to EAN40.

So, if nothing else helps you, you can try nitrox and see what happens.

Perhaps you should review your diving physics and do a little research on breathing and tidal volulme.

The lungs require the same amount of breathing gas to fill, regardless of elemental percentage makeup.

the K

 

[divezonescuba]

Sorry my personal experience is so upsetting to some of you. I fail to see how reviewing my basic physics is going to change my personal experience to date.

If basic physics was all there was to it and complex biochemisty were not involved, it wouldn't be necessary for the medical, sports, and military community to conduct any research of this type in respiratory, metabolic, or circulatory issues. Perhaps they should look at this thread instead of spending any money on research. There's also the small subject of probability and statistics that usually comes in play in any medical study. Not all treatments affect all of the subjects to the same degree.

As far as elemental percentage make up is concerned, I pretty sure that I could stay down longer on a full AL 80 with EAN36 than I could with a full AL 80 with 0 % O2.

You are free to offer your personal experience as well.