I seem to run through my tank (80 cu in) in roughly 35 to 45 minz. I hate being the first to always have to end a dive because of AIR. I am 6' 2" 210lbs and have been diving for about 2 months. I dive at least 2 to 3 times a week. I live in South Florida so I am usually diving in 70-80 degree water. Can anyone please give me some PSI saving tips. PLEASE. I read an article in this month's RODALE's SCUBA DIVING which had some techniques that I will try, but I am in desperate need of AIR SAVING TIPS. Any help is most appreciated.

Thanks !!

Read that article, it will help. I was just in florida diving and i tryed to do as the article advised and it helped. Streamline your gear, move slowly and practice the breathing method that they talk about. I myself noticed a difference.Your air comsumpsion will get better the more you dive. I was always worried about cutting the dive short due to my using more air. What I did was buy a steel 100 tank. It evens me out with the people who dive with 80's.Your air will get better the more you feel comfortable diving. Just try as the article say's and you will notice a difference in your dive time.

The bigger the diver the more air they will use. In some cases divers will always use more air than others. Getting comfortable with your equipment and becoming relaxed in the water will ultimately lower your air consumption. Be aware of your breathing. Full slow inhalation and exhalations give you the best gas exchange and will lower your breathing rate. When you first start diving don't worry so much about your air consumption, relax and enjoy the dive. After a while you'll get better at using your air.

hi
i have the same problem
and yes your bottom time will get better
got to learn to relax, and get rid of what i like to call the zoom zoom attitude
and by the way i went to twin 120 steels to solve my problem
good luck

What are the typical depths that you are diving? This is a critical part of the equation to measuring your air consumption. You say that you are only getting 35-45 mins, at what depth? Some key points have already been mentioned like being streamlined and relaxing. Perfect your buoyancy, make sure you are not over weighted, full deep breaths so your body has a chance to use all the oxygen on each breath and keep working on your dive skills all the time. Do you use an adjustable regulator?

Keep us posted as to what tips you try and if they helped.

I read a tip that was helpfull to me. Before you descend, put your snorkel in your mouth and spend some time on the surface with your face in the water, just looking at (or towards) the bottom, breath through your snorkel and try to relax. do this for a few minutes, perhaps on the way to the anchor line. Then when you're ready put your reg in your mouth and descend. This technique relaxes you befor your descent and relaxation is the key to low air consumption.

Good tip! Relaxing is a key point when it comes to air consumption.

I have noticed that my air consumption improves the more physically fit I am. Running and swimming are good activities to improve your lung efficiency. Pay attention to the tips already given, they help a lot. This is a long range solution to maximize your bottom time. Good luck

I find the best way to get in shape for diving is to dive. When I can't dive the next best thing is circuit training in the pool using mask, fins and snorkel. You can either use distance and time or increase the weight carried as benchmarks. Diving uses very specfic muscles and the best way to increase your fitness is to work those muscles.

Well....The increase in my diving has resulted in an increase in relaxation which now has resulted in more bottom time so far. My last dives were at 35' for 58min/ 58' for 41min/ 72' 35 min. I am pretty happy now that I am increasing my time. I tried several of the techniques offered and also of the techniques offered in Rodales ScubaDiving mag. Thank-you everyone for the tips and all the help. Hopefully I will be able to do the same someday. At present I dive 2-3 times a week and wish I could 7 days a week !!!! Thanks again !!

That's Great! Let us know if we can help with anything else. What do you think was the most contributing factor to the improved air consumption?

I think the most helpful (besides relaxtion) was a smooth controlled breathing rate. Really just getting in a patern and staying relaxed and breathing nice and smooth. Deep inhale - pause(open throat) - full exhale.

I'm 6' and 200 lb. and 61 yr. Here's what I do to max. my down time. First, just drift... go slow... do no effort.. move slowly. Second, do yoga breathing... feels like you fill your stomach and then your chest.. slows your metabolism and gets you right into that zen state. Third, stay above (and usually behind) your buddy or dive master.. you'll see just as much and use less air because you are shallower. Lastly... and seriously, use a larger tank than your buddies, and who cares? That's the trend btw.

Those are all great ways to extend your dive time. Don't forget about your No Deco Limits.

Junkie, I am in the same boat as you. I am 6'5" and 210lbs and I burn air like crazy. I am in great shape, but even sitting and watching TV, I breath fast and deep, so I chalk my problem up to genetics. But I have stopped worrying about it because I found myself thinking so much about breathing that I didn't really enjoy what was around me. After I stopped thinking about it it got a little better. One other thing that helped was I got a ScubaPro regulator with the air flow adjustment. I just cranked it all the way down to minimum, and although I still breath alot of air, it actually did help my consumption a bit.
Just don't try to change the way you are built, rather embrace it, accept that you use more than others, and enjoy the time you are down.