The underwater world is something quite majestic and mysterious. It can also be an experience that is over quick as a flash if you do not know how the use your air wisely.

So are you a ‘Hoover’ or a ‘Sipper’? We all strive to be the latter, and Jim Bartlett’s article in Issue 6 of Australasia Scuba Diver (Padi’s Official Publication) offers 10 tips for maximising air consumption.

1. Measure
To start with you will need to establish a benchmark; know your initial rate at the outset, and measure your progress. Firstly, calculate the air used during the dive, then translate that into an equivalent surface air consumption rate . By converting air consumption for all dives to an equivalent Surface Consumption Rate , you can track air consumption over time and see how it improves with practice. As with any sport, once you begin keeping score and focusing on employing techniques to improve it, you’ll see steady progress.

2. Staying Warm Is Cool
One of the quickest ways to burn excess air is to wear insufficient exposure protection. Even 27 degrees Celsius water is still almost 10 degrees Celsius cooler than your body temperature. If you dive without insulation, in effect you’re trying to heat the ocean with your body which increases your metabolism and oxygen burn rates. Wearing a wet suit also offers protection from coral scrapes.

3. Ratchet Down
Learn to operate in slow motion. Underwater, keep every moment slow and fluid. Rapid movements burn more air due to the increased resistance of the water.

4. Skip your Arms
Wearing fins enhances the strength of your legs so much so, we do not need to really use our arms underwater. Keep your hands for signals, photography and writing on slates. Arms should be motionless and kept by your sides to aid streamlining.

5. Trim Up
Proper weight distribution helps divers maintain a horizontal position while diving. Divers that do not have the correct balance find their legs dragging below their bodies, thus burning more air. The same applies to dive gear so make sure gauges and other accessories are neat and tidy underwater.

6. Count your Air
7. Reverse the Pause
8. Restrict the Flow
9. Practice makes Perfect
10. Measure and Track

For more information and to read the article in full, get your copy of Issue 6, 2009.