Equipment can Affect Scuba Diver Air Consumption
Scuba Gear in Good Working Condition Can Lead to Reduced Air Usage
Aug 29, 2009
Having well maintained and functioning equipment is one of the best ways to reduce air consumption when scuba diving. From leaking hoses, to inefficient regulators and problems with the buoyancy compensator, there are a myriad of ways in which equipment can lead to increased air consumption.
Streamline Scuba Equipment to Conserve Air
In the quest to conserve air when underwater on scuba, the diver’s equipment should be streamlined. Being streamlined prevents less drag in the water which has to be overcome by using more energy.
All scuba equipment should be as tight fitting and comfortable as possible.
Hose and straps should be arranged in such a way so they aren’t hanging down and causing drag, getting caught on bits of coral or rocks, or even dragging in the sand.
Bits and pieces like torches, knives, and gauges should be placed in pockets to reduce drag.
Scuba Equipment Should be Working Efficiently to Conserve Air
All equipment should be checked and serviced to ensure it is working correctly. There shouldn’t be any of those little streams of silvery bubbles rising to the surface that are a common site on most dives. These are a tell-tale sign of air being wasted.
The scuba regulator should be serviced regularly and well tuned. An efficient regulator working properly will deliver the correct amount of air. If a scuba diver needs to drag at the mouthpiece to get a lungful of air, then air is being wasted.
Hoses shouldn’t leak. The most common point for hoses to leak are at the swivel joints such as gauges or at the second stage connection. If there is a small stream of bubble from these places, then the hose needs to be replaced or repaired. This is not just to conserve air, but also for safety as a leak is a direct indication that something is wrong, and a catastrophic failure could be close.
The scuba face mask should be a tight fit that doesn’t allow water to seep in. If a scuba diver has to be continually clearing the mask of water during a dive, this simply wastes air.
Poorly fitted fins do not provide the optimum efficiency and lead to increased air consumption.
Buoyancy Compensator is a Main Source of Reduced Scuba Air Consumption
The buoyancy compensator shouldn’t leak. There are a number of places where air can escape from a buoyancy compensator, such as the dump valves; or maybe small holes in the bladder.
The buoyancy compensator power inflator should be regularly checked. It should be a good, tight fit when connected.
The oral inflator is a common place for leaks as a small piece of sand or foreign material can get caught in the mechanism and hold it open. This can create two problems when looking at air consumption. The air in the buoyancy compensator could escape, or water could get. Both these will lead to the buoyancy compensator needing to be regularly topped up during a scuba dive.
Keep Warm to Conserve Air When Scuba Diving
Heat lost from the body is energy, and part of the energy used on a dive comes from air from the scuba tank. Therefore, the warmer a diver is on a scuba dive, the less air should be used.
However, the selection of a suitable wetsuit needs to consider other issues that could lead to increased air consumption, That is, if it is too tight it will restrict movement causing the diver to work harder, which will lead to increased air consumption.
To help in the continual battle to improve air consumption while scuba diving, equipment is one area to investigate to get a few more minutes underwater.
Other areas to look at in decreasing air consumption while scuba diving are scuba techniques and the human factor.
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