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10 Tips for Improving Air Consumption

10 Tips for Improving Air Consumption

Written by Leisure Pro Staff
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Published on November 12, 2015

No one wants to end their dive prematurely because they’ve gone through their air supply too quickly. It can be very disappointing, as well as take a toll on your wallet in the form of extraneous air fills. But there are plenty of simple methods for improving air consumption that won’t cost you a dime. Here are ten tips for enjoying a longer dive.

Exercise proper maintenance. Make regular inspections of your equipment for any leaks. Check o-rings and hoses for wear or signs of deterioration, and replace as needed.

Optimize your setup. You want your resting position in the water to be as close to horizontal as possible. This more streamlined profile results in less exertion during the dive.

Master buoyancy. Related to the tip above, ensuring that you are properly weighted will keep you from having to adjust your BCD throughout your dive. Adding and removing air time and time again will eat up your air supply unnecessarily. Good buoyancy control is a skill that can be helpful in a number of dive applications.

Keep accessories small. Paring down the bulk will help keep you more streamlined.

Look ma, no hands! Don’t use your hands to propel yourself through the water; that’s what your fins are for. This causes unnecessary exertion which equals more air consumption.

Go slow. Slow, deliberate movements are both effective and expend less energy.

Stay warm. Know the water conditions you are going into and choose the right wetsuit thickness. Being cold drains more energy from your body which, in turn, means you’ll consume more air.

Relax! This may be the simplest thing you can do while diving. Slow your breathing and take calm, even breaths.

Plan your dive. If shore diving, take into account the amount of gas needed to get to the site. Snorkel swimming to the site and using surface air can save your tank air for when you’re under the waves.

Dive more! It shouldn’t be too hard to convince you of this step, but the more you dive the more relaxed and confident you will be under the waves, which will lead the way in improving air consumption.

Leisure Pro Staff

Leisure Pro Staff

Marketing Director for LeisurePro