markmud
Self Reliant Diver--On All Dives.
By comparing observed gas consumption against expectations. For example in a 130 I have 4 cu ft/100 psi, or 20 cu ft for 500 psi. So if I'm crusing around at 15 fsw I should have about 20 minutes of gas left and sure enough that is how it works. So what does that say about all bourbon tubes being very nonlinear?
Also with 20 minutes of gas left using a goodly fraction of it seems reasonable as long as you're not holding up a boat.
Hello All,
I understand both sides of this issue--although, some of the anti-OP comments were baseless.
On party boats, we dive with some real winners. The boat's crew probably consider the lowest common denominator when setting rules.
However, most boats anchor in less than forty feet of water and usally about thirty feet. I believe a rule that demands 500 PSI below the boat and 300 PSI on the boat is more than adequate. I like kick'n'back under the boat. I see many things that I missed on what sometimes seems like an Olympic marathon swim.
I usually come aboard with 700 to 1000 PSI. Not because I am worried about approaching 500 PSI, because I am usually one of the last divers onboard and feel that I am holding-up the show.
To iterate, a hard and fast rule of 500 PSI on the boat is a joke for most 60' to 80' recreational dives. If you are deep diving, penetrating wrecks, cavern diving or performing staged decompression, the rule of thirds is something you should practice consistantly.
markm