Soggy
Contributor
I started diving this May. One of my first dives as a certified diver was a wreck dive in 15-60ffw. I have gone from doing 25 minute dives at 40 feet average (with AL 80s) to doing a 53 minute dive (with HP 72s) on Sunday averaging 50-55 fsw, but bottoming out at 75 fsw.
What I learned: Breathe slowly, but deeply..."sip" at the air rather than taking large, fast, deep breaths. Try putting your tongue near the top of your mouth and breath through that smaller area. I also have learned that, despite what they tell you in class, you don't need to breath constantly. This doesn't mean hold your breath until you have to breath, but a brief pause at the beginning and end of a breath do wonders to save air. I use an AI computer which tells me how much time I have left based on my current consumption rate...I play a game with myself to try and make that number go higher and higher.
I feel I've come close to reaching my air consumption goals, as when I was at 75 fsw, my NDL timer was lower than my Air remaining at depth time.
At the end of the day, though...if you need the air to fight a current or do something else strenuous, by all means, breathe. I can't imagine that hyperventilation at depth could be all that fun.
What I learned: Breathe slowly, but deeply..."sip" at the air rather than taking large, fast, deep breaths. Try putting your tongue near the top of your mouth and breath through that smaller area. I also have learned that, despite what they tell you in class, you don't need to breath constantly. This doesn't mean hold your breath until you have to breath, but a brief pause at the beginning and end of a breath do wonders to save air. I use an AI computer which tells me how much time I have left based on my current consumption rate...I play a game with myself to try and make that number go higher and higher.
I feel I've come close to reaching my air consumption goals, as when I was at 75 fsw, my NDL timer was lower than my Air remaining at depth time.
At the end of the day, though...if you need the air to fight a current or do something else strenuous, by all means, breathe. I can't imagine that hyperventilation at depth could be all that fun.
