on the boat w/500 psi

[Crush]

This survey is based upon what I have read in this thread: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ne...9-seeking-input-low-air-no-air-situation.html

When I learned to dive I was always taught to be back on the boat with 500 psi or back at the surface with 500 psi. Unfortunately while I was told what to do, I was not trained in how to do it. I learned about SAC, turn pressure, etc., here on SB. Where did you learn how to end up "back at the boat with 500 psi"?

Multiple votes are allowed as one person may have had the opportunity to learn these concepts in different places.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

My answer isn't in your survey ... I learned it from more experienced divers. My AOW class covered SAC rate, but it was more just showing me how to calculate it than showing me what to do with it.

Almost everything about gas management that I learned ... and now teach ... I learned outside of a class environment. And I don't recall seeing a whole lot about it on ScubaBoard until after I wrote my article in 2004. In fact, when I first promoted the article here and offered it to anyone who was interested in reading the whole thing, I got over 800 PM's ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[tbone1004]

Our OW classes put huge emphasis on calculating sac and approximating dive times based off of them. We have them calculate sac for a lot of their pool session. The 500psi is only really good for the 3000psi tanks because 500psi is a sixth of your total gas. good ish reserve for open water, but it's not enough with the HP tanks and likely too much for the LP tanks, all depends on your preference

 

[nolatom]

Usually the captain, or DM during a briefing, or your buddy, would tell you it's a good idea to get back to the anchor with 1000 (or maybe 900-800 if a shallow dive). Then, the 500 on board pretty much took care of itself. And backing up one step further, at around 1200 you should know where the anchor is and start heading that way. Two steps back, and at 1500 you start thinking about how you're going to get back to the anchor with 1000.

Seemed pretty simple to me. And I don't remember quite who or where I learned it, except from the "village".

 

[Wookie]

I know a boat that will not only encourage you to come back with 500 PSI, we'll teach you how to do it. We will also understand when you have less than 500 PSI. We're not so understanding when you are empty.

 

[DennisS]

I learned it on the first dive boat I went out on and just about every other dive boat I've been on, "be onboard with 500 psi" is the mantra

I can't remember ever having it checked.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I know a boat that will not only encourage you to come back with 500 PSI, we'll teach you how to do it. We will also understand when you have less than 500 PSI. We're not so understanding when you are empty.

I know a dive op who tells their clients if they come back with an empty tank, they're done diving for the day. The reasonable assumption is that if your tank's empty, you ended up making a CESA ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[reo]

In OW, we learned' "At 1000, let your buddy know, at 700 up you go."

Ron

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

In OW, we learned' "At 1000, let your buddy know, at 700 up you go."

Ron

... did they specify at what depth this was supposed to work out?

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[eponym]

Figured out when to start back/up, based on depth and tank, when I started playing with consumption calcs. Learned some good rules of thumb later here on SB.

Voted just now, but noticed poll's math is off by an extra 15%. Maybe that's a one-sixth reserve?

-Bryan