How do you stop being an air-monster?

[Violent Ken]

I've not done many dives, but I'm sure I only get about 45 mins from a 12 on an average dive at or above 20m.

What's the secret to being good on air? I'm thinking good buoyancy skills, staying as relaxed as possible and using an efficient finning technique will all help, but are there other things that I'm missing? Is there any way I can train myself to be better on air?

I used to do a fair bit of distance running and cycling, so I'm still reasonably fit, but I wondered if breath-holding training would help. I know you should never hold your breath whilst diving (unless it's an emergency or something) but I was thinking more along the lines of training your body to cope with lower oxygen levels.

[chrisch]

It will come in time. My gas consumption is pretty crap at the start of the year, but you settle down after a few dives.

Most people breathe too fast and too shallow.

If you want to do excercises concentrate on long slow deep breathing.

Oxygen has nowt to do with it the need to breathe is CO2 driven and too much CO2 is very bad news.

Chris

[Tonto]

Originally Posted by Violent Ken

I've not done many dives, but I'm sure I only get about 45 mins from a 12 on an average dive at or above 20m.

What's the secret to being good on air? I'm thinking good buoyancy skills, staying as relaxed as possible and using an efficient finning technique will all help, but are there other things that I'm missing? Is there any way I can train myself to be better on air?

I used to do a fair bit of distance running and cycling, so I'm still reasonably fit, but I wondered if breath-holding training would help. I know you should never hold your breath whilst diving (unless it's an emergency or something) but I was thinking more along the lines of training your body to cope with lower oxygen levels.

Um I may be missing something but I make the SAC at about 17 for that depth time leaving 30 bar in the cylinder (assuming 232), I'd be really pleased.

[DJL]

Originally Posted by Violent Ken

I've not done many dives, but I'm sure I only get about 45 mins from a 12 on an average dive at or above 20m.

Go diving. If you've only done a few dives then I wouldn't worry about it for now. Just monitor your SAC (surface air consumption) rate and you should see it going in the right direction, cold also has an impact.

SAC Calc
----------
Gas Used in Bar * Cylinder Size = liters used

(litres used / average depth in ATA's) / dive time)

So, what was your SAC for the dive you described above?? Once you know your SAC rate then you can start doing gas planning to ensure that you have enough gas for the planned dive and that you have enough for an emergency (i.e. for you and your buddy to safely ascend to the surface sharing air).

HTH - Dave.

[Hoppy]

The best advice I received for this was DIVE, DIVE and DIVE some more. It basically just takes time to get to the point where you're relaxed, no anxiety and of course your trim is correct and weighted properly.

That way you'll find the guzzling eases off over time.

One other thing that helped me was the vizualisation (sp) of breathing steadily, I found my self copying what I was "seeing" in my mind.



Then I went and bought twin 18's

[nigelH]

Originally Posted by Violent Ken

What's the secret to being good on air? I'm thinking good buoyancy skills, staying as relaxed as possible and using an efficient finning technique will all help, but are there other things that I'm missing? Is there any way I can train myself to be better on air?

Don't worry about it. Literally. If you think about breathing it goes up.

The only 'trick' to it is do a lot of diving and as the things in you brain begin to realise "Hey! We don't die. It must be OK then." the adrenaline levels go down and you start getting the benefit of relaxing. Almost any trick is bad because you must flush out the CO2 because that is the big bogie man of diving.

Getting your weight right helps because things don't seem to change so fast then. Breathing long and deep helps, keep air moving but slowly. Getting interested in something other than the mechanics of diving really pushes things along. Hang about and watch things. Have fun. Chill out.

[littleH]

Originally Posted by Violent Ken

I've not done many dives, but I'm sure I only get about 45 mins from a 12 on an average dive at or above 20m.

That's actually pretty good for a dive, especially if you're just starting out - i'd only be bothered about getting longer if you were only getting 10-20 mins out of it. How about getting a larger cylinger - a 15 perhaps?

Originally Posted by Violent Ken

What's the secret to being good on air? I'm thinking good buoyancy skills, staying as relaxed as possible and using an efficient finning technique will all help, but are there other things that I'm missing? Is there any way I can train myself to be better on air?.

You're thinking right - they're all the things needed to be good on air. The only way i've found that makes your air consumption lower is more diving - the more dives you do the more relaxed you become and you breathe less naturally.

Originally Posted by Violent Ken

I used to do a fair bit of distance running and cycling, so I'm still reasonably fit, but I wondered if breath-holding training would help. I know you should never hold your breath whilst diving (unless it's an emergency or something) but I was thinking more along the lines of training your body to cope with lower oxygen levels.

there was an articly in DIVE about how breath hold diving can improve your scuba diving. and just for the record - don't ever hold your breath whilst diving - even if it is an emergency - breath out and follow your bubbles,

H

[Josie]

Along with Mart, I'm jealous of your air consumption (or lack of it).

Guzzler Josie

[Garf]

45 Minutes at 20 metres. Using a single 12.

Don't worry, be happy. I'm happy with my SAC and I'd take two 12s on that dive

[MATTBIN]

100+ dives SAC still the same, dropped weight, went to twins, stayed the same. Oh well, glad I got twins then.

Excess weight on the belt doesnt help, skip breathing, breath holding - all bad ideas.

Having said that there was a programme on the box the other night and the time lag between inhale/exhale was MASSIVE and I dont think it was down to huge inhale cycle as the exhale cycle was really short, so I am guessing the guy did hold a bit between inhale and exhale. I wouldnt worry just yet as to what your sac rate is as the worry will probably put it up anyway.

SAC rate does seem to be a 'thing' as far as divers are concerned, it shouldnt be, if you run low on gas then either get bigger tank(s) or shorter dives.
Any buddy who complains about dives being cut short because of your gas consumption is being a bit unfair, we have all been there done that and got the T shirt, we all have to start somewhere.

Matt