How do i save more air when i am Scuba diving?

Question

I am a new diver and whenever i Scuba dive with my buddies, i am always the first to ran out of air. Why is this happing? Is there anything i can do to have more dive time?

Answer 1

"Sucking down your air" is a very, very common newbie problem. To put it simply, the more dives that you log and the more experience you get will result in your air lasting you longer. I can offer you a few tips now that may speed up this process though :)

The most important thing is to stay calm and relaxed while diving. Physiologically, the lower you can keep your heart rate, then less oxygen you'll use. Thus, your body literally needs less oxygen when you're in a relaxed, resting state.

Move relatively slowly, using only your legs and practice your buoyancy control. Don't flap your arms to propel or steer yourself; this increases your oxygen consumption, and doesn't do much to help you move underwater (this is another thing that newbies typically do). If you see something cool, don't get all crazy excited and rush over to it. Take your time, remain calm, and work your way to it.

I know this sounds corny, but when I dive I almost get into a meditative state. It's very calming for me; try to keep your body peaceful, and be at one with the ocean.... Work with it, and use the water to your advantage, as opposed to fighting against it.

Also, remember that you want to take slow controlled breaths. Don't just fill your lungs up and then blow it all out. Remember you are in control of your reg! This goes for breathing both IN and OUT. Take slow-ish deep breaths in, and then exhale slowly. You certainly want to make sure that you're getting enough air, but there's no need to breath like you just ran a marathon.

Practice at home; Form your lips like you're going to whistle. Breath in, slow and steady for a count of 5. Keeping your lips pursed, breath out for a count of 5. This is approx the amount of air intake and time frame to shoot for while diving. Notice the huge difference VS just taking a deep breath with your mouth completely open.

Don't worry, with a little practice you'll be breathing like a pro in no time. Stay conscious of your breathing technique and your air consumption will be much better. Soon your diving will be limited by your time limits instead of your air!

Good luck!

Answer 2

Here are some tips I regularly give new divers:

1. Dive more. As a new diver, you are still anxious and/or excited in the water. Dive more to become more comfortable.

2. Wear the proper exposure protection. i.e. wet suit or drysuit. If you are cold, you will suck down more air.

3. Dive more.

4. Work on your weighting. If you dive with too much weight, then that is just more air you have to add at depth to compensate for it.

5. Right on the heels of #4, work on your neutral buoyancy, the more up and down that you do, the more air you are wasting trying to stay neutral.

6. Dive more.

7. Exercise more. Cardiovasular exercise is the key, but even some strength training will help.

8. Dive more.

9. Find that sweet spot in your breathing. Don't take shorter breaths or longer breaths. Take breaths that get the job done.

10. Dive more.

11. Big peopole breath more than little people, and there is nothing you can do about it. For example, I am 6'9" 230 and my fiancee is 5'2" 105. She just needs less air. If this is the case, look into getting a bigger tank.

12. Dive more.

13. Streamline your gear. You want the least amount of resistance in the water.

14. Dive more.

15. Move slowly and with a purpose underwater. It is not a race. Don't use your hands. Use an effective kick.

16. Dive more.

Answer 3

My boyfriend scuba dives and he said that you can take shorter breathes to make your air supply last longer. It is happening because you have to breath all the time and your breathes could be too long for the amount of air in your tank. Just be sure to adjust to shorter breathes. He says there are so many possibilities as to what could happen if you don't articulate your body to the surroundings and supplies at hand. A good word of advice is to take it carefully and if you don't feel good that day don't go because you can have problems going down. Sinus problems can cause problems with scuba diving as well.

Answer 4

it will improve with the more dives you do and practice. the trick is relaxing while submerged, and by minimizing your efforts while diving. watch the experienced divers and how they use every opportunity to reduce their effort underwater. free diving may help you improve your lung capacity and allow you to become more relaxed while diving. i believe that scuba can be so exhilarating, so exciting that only after gaining more experience will you be able to remain more calm. don't give up. oh, btw those guys who refill the tanks can make mistakes so always be sure you actually have a full tank...just kidding.

Answer 5

Most new divers burn air faster than experienced divers. Relax, breath regularly and enjoy the dive. It'll get better with experience.

Answer 6

Well, it will take time. You need to relax, then keep your buoyancy, not be overweighted, and learn to breathe deep and slowly. Short breaths waste a lot of air. It will take time though. Also, many new diver tend to use their arms... don't! Keep you hands joined and behind you or use it to hold your gauges, Using arms also works the chest muscles making you use up more air. Besides, you legs are more efficient for propulsion.

Answer 7

You need to develop better breathing techniques and better cardiovascular health. Assuming all equipment is the same.

It's just going to take time. Try running or swimming in a pool to build lung strenght. Even an exercise bike.

Answer 8

Buy better equipment or get more training. My father-in-law owns a dive shop in Florida.

Answer 9

Doug provides a very accurate list of what you might want to address.

Answer 10

Get a re-breather. They are good for up to 20 hours.