There is nothing more refreshing and awe-inspiring than plunging beneath the surface of the water and staying there. Unfortunately, it's only a matter of time until you run low on air and have to end your dive. By following the five simple steps listed below you will be able to improve your air consumption, and the slower you breathe through your air, the longer you get to stay down...which is usually the main goal in scuba diving, right?
1. Dive, Dive, Dive
The more dives you have under your belt, the more comfortable you are going to feel in and under the water. When you are at ease, your breathing rate is slower; therefore, making the air you have in your tank last longer. Also, the more experienced you are, the more your diving skills develop. Confidence and skill in the water comes with diving experience.
2. Stay Streamlined
Every seasoned diver knows the most efficient way to move through the water is as streamlined as possible. Being streamlined applies to both gear and the way you move/swim in the water. Ensure that all gauges are hooked to your BC with retractors or gauge clips so that they do not dangle away from your body and cause extra drag. Also, consider investing in the least bulky BCD that you feel comfortable diving in (see our blog on how to select the BC that's right for you). Finally, swim through the water in a horizontal position to reduce drag.
3. Breath Fully and Slowly
NEVER hold your breath or "skip breath" underwater to consume less air. Instead, pretend you are in a yoga class; breath with deep abdominal breaths. If you've never been to yoga, breathing is typically done in a slow, deep, deliberate manner....usually 6 seconds inhale and 6 seconds exhale. During yogic breathing your heart rate actually slows slightly, slowing your pulse and, therefore, your air consumption along with it. If you can master this breathing technique, it will go a long way in improving your air consumption.
4. Master Your Buoyancy
The less air you use filling, emptying, filling, and emptying your BCD during your dive, the more air you will conserve in your tank for you to breathe. Every time you slightly over inflate your BC, therefore, having to vent air equals less air for you to use on breathing. Also, constantly correcting your depth with your BCD creates unnecessary work, wasted energy, and raises stress levels all increasing your air consumption. By perfecting your buoyancy skills, you will be able to descend and become perfectly buoyant above the reef all in one smooth transition. Good buoyancy is achieved with practice and proper weighting. Carrying any excess weight that is not needed to get you under the surface is not only dangerous in the event of an emergency but just causes extra drag (see "staying streamlined" above).
5. Stay Fit
The number one thing you can do to extend your bottom time is not something you do each time you dive, but the way you live your life each and every day: Practice a healthy lifestyle. Staying healthy and fit allows your body to function more efficiently. An efficient body has a lower pulse, and will use less air, it's as simple as that. Practice a daily exercise routine and eat a healthy, balanced diet.
