You can definitely improve your air consumption with better buoyancy, trim, and learning to kick less. But, it's important to know that your consumption will not get dramatically better from one dive to the next. It's a process. Since you've got AI, calculate your average SAC (surface air consumption) over several dives. This will give you a good estimate for how fast you will go through your gas. If you suddenly notice you have way more gas than you planned on a dive, then you know that something is likely wrong with your pressure reading.
Out of air! Wireless pod
- Thread starter DrMack
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I'm not sure that I see the point of hanging out on a safety stop if one of you is actually out of air. It's a recommendation, not a requirement and at that point I think you'd be better off just going to the surface.
Personally I see no reason for needing an SPG as well as the pod. What I do see is the need to be 100% sure about which pod is connected to which gear and what it is synced to.
Marking your pod/reg set clearly with a coloured tag/ribbon/nail polish etc and having a corresponding mark on the computer or strap would be a great start (coloured bungee or something similar?). That way it is a simple visual check to say "blue reg, blue computer? Check. Red reg, red computer? Check)".
RyanT makes a good point - you miost likely have a reasonable feel for your gas consumption. When you check, is it in line with your normal? If not, is the dive you are doing out of your normal (swimming into a current or diving deeper will up the rate you use it, going shallower or drift diving will drop the rate). Use that knowledge to make an educated guess as to where you will be gas wise and check it with relation to the computer's reading. If there is a huge difference such as your consumption halving without a reason (such as a drift dive), then you can be fairly sure there is an issue somewhere.
As Rongoodman says, if one of you has gone out of air, you should ascend directly to the surface (so long as you have no outstanding deco obligation). Even if you do have a deco obligation, you should try to complete as much as possible and then ascend but never putting you close to both being OOA.
Marking your pod/reg set clearly with a coloured tag/ribbon/nail polish etc and having a corresponding mark on the computer or strap would be a great start (coloured bungee or something similar?). That way it is a simple visual check to say "blue reg, blue computer? Check. Red reg, red computer? Check)".
RyanT makes a good point - you miost likely have a reasonable feel for your gas consumption. When you check, is it in line with your normal? If not, is the dive you are doing out of your normal (swimming into a current or diving deeper will up the rate you use it, going shallower or drift diving will drop the rate). Use that knowledge to make an educated guess as to where you will be gas wise and check it with relation to the computer's reading. If there is a huge difference such as your consumption halving without a reason (such as a drift dive), then you can be fairly sure there is an issue somewhere.
As Rongoodman says, if one of you has gone out of air, you should ascend directly to the surface (so long as you have no outstanding deco obligation). Even if you do have a deco obligation, you should try to complete as much as possible and then ascend but never putting you close to both being OOA.
1isNone
Contributor
AfterDark
Contributor
Why? I don't get it. AI is the latest and greatest. Who needs 20th century technology in the 21st century?
OP Like Herman said never ever let anyone setup your rig, never. I've warned DMs not to touch my gear, even if they see something questionable. Tell me about it, it I need help correcting it I'll ask. Aside from my expressed request don't touch.
I wouldn’t know about that. I dive on boats where you set up your own gear, and any help is only provided if you request it.
AfterDark
Contributor
@Marie13 excuse me that gear comment wasn't directed at you. I edited it so it's clear. When I dive locally it's the same deal, it's understood no touch but we all know one another. Other places like FL or NC where I've been to they think we like the help or are looking for a bigger tip. I always tip the same regardless if I get/need help or not. Now if a DM plucks me outa the water and saves my life, that'll be a bigger tip!
One time on Crystal River an OP on a manatee dive offered to show me how to put a mask on!
After I got in the water and swam away I could hear him laughing at himself, telling the others he doesn't need my help.
caydiver
Contributor
We always set up our own gear. It keeps you better prepared if you need to switch something around yourself. It just works for us. I had the worst air consumption in my family. A friend who was also an instructor suggested a start just humming a tune while I was diving. Don’t need to him any more and the result after a few dives was incredible. At first my buddy hated me, now he is a bit jealous. Maybe it will work for you. I think the rationale is just to get you to relax.
Steelyeyes
Contributor
Depends on how much gas you have. If you're both breathing and have plenty of supply it's not an emergency any longer.
WinfieldNC
Contributor
You don't see any use in having an SPG? Redundancy is always nice and considered a must depending on the type of diving you are doing. You have listed yourself as a solo diver so you should recognize the importance of redundancy. I have seen air integrated computers fail due to electronic problems as well as dead batteries. Three weeks ago I was out on a boat and saw a guy lose the battery cap to his transmitter. I have never seen a SPG fail.
Maybe you are being sarcastic. Hard to tell.
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