OP
Some reflections on SAC rates
- Thread starter Rhone Man
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I have a really, really good SAC rate at the bottom of my pool with a nylon skin on, doing nothing but meditating.
I'm always leading dives. I usually dive with buddies that have less experience level than me. So, naturally I guide the dive. I also usually dive in cold and low visibility waters, both fresh and sea water.
Some month ago I participate in a dive excursion in Miami Beach, in the Emerald Reef. I was there because of a work conference and so I was with no buddy on board. I was buddied with a couple of female divers. Normally female divers have a better (lower) SAC than male divers.
As I was buddied with them, I followed them and took pictures. I was surprised to find out that after 70 minutes underwater (it was a shallow dive) we had to call the dive as one of the girls was near reserve. Conclusion, if I have not the stress to guide the dive, I mean, to track where is the boat and return to it, my SAC improves a lot, added to the warmer waters and good visibility, a very good SAC.
Some month ago I participate in a dive excursion in Miami Beach, in the Emerald Reef. I was there because of a work conference and so I was with no buddy on board. I was buddied with a couple of female divers. Normally female divers have a better (lower) SAC than male divers.
As I was buddied with them, I followed them and took pictures. I was surprised to find out that after 70 minutes underwater (it was a shallow dive) we had to call the dive as one of the girls was near reserve. Conclusion, if I have not the stress to guide the dive, I mean, to track where is the boat and return to it, my SAC improves a lot, added to the warmer waters and good visibility, a very good SAC.
Okay so it's hunting/peril/current/solo. Now I understand!
That does sound like a lot of fun. Where I am, touching a lobster get real ugly if caught.
Pete
My SAC rate just about doubles when DMing, even if nothing goes wrong. It's the ever-present possibility that something MIGHT . . .
Hetland
Contributor
I'm just now getting into the .38-.39 range. From least to most, my sac rates seem to follow this pattern:
photography
nothing
sightseeing
hunting
deep (recreational)
technical (any depth)
I would figure photography would have been higher, because I do move around a fair bit, but I have to relax to get decent photos, and pay more attention to my breathing, really my exhalations during photography dives, so even though I move more, and carry more gear, I end up burning less gas.
I also seem to burn nothing on deco, as I'm mostly focused on my breathing.
photography
nothing
sightseeing
hunting
deep (recreational)
technical (any depth)
I would figure photography would have been higher, because I do move around a fair bit, but I have to relax to get decent photos, and pay more attention to my breathing, really my exhalations during photography dives, so even though I move more, and carry more gear, I end up burning less gas.
I also seem to burn nothing on deco, as I'm mostly focused on my breathing.
Saturday's review of air consumption rates:
skills & drills: 0.70
compass nav: 0.47
nav was is 5' vis, but was a simple triangle navagation on a relatively flat bottom - truly stress free....
skills & drills: 0.70
compass nav: 0.47
nav was is 5' vis, but was a simple triangle navagation on a relatively flat bottom - truly stress free....
DeeperOut
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My sac varies dramatically as to the task at hand, but as I do not use optimistic figures in my gas management, it is overall a small factor in my diving.
If conditions allow, I always immense my face in the water without mask and hood, then with mask and hood on and either reg-breathe on the surface or snorkle (always have one on or in pocket in open water diving) for enough time to relax and assist the pre-activation of the mammalian diving reflex. Relaxation and pre-visualisation, using the same equipment, diving the plan, proper teamwork and keeping my skills current are all factors I see paramount.
If conditions allow, I always immense my face in the water without mask and hood, then with mask and hood on and either reg-breathe on the surface or snorkle (always have one on or in pocket in open water diving) for enough time to relax and assist the pre-activation of the mammalian diving reflex. Relaxation and pre-visualisation, using the same equipment, diving the plan, proper teamwork and keeping my skills current are all factors I see paramount.
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