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Out of Air

Out of Air. We Will Cover. Causes of “Out of Air” situations Options available. Why do divers run out of Air?. Four main reasons: Miscalculation Distraction Overloading Malfunction of equipment What are our options when/if it does occur?. Monitoring Air Consumption.

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Out of Air

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  1. Out of Air

  2. We Will Cover • Causes of “Out of Air” situations • Options available

  3. Why do divers run out of Air? • Four main reasons: • Miscalculation • Distraction • Overloading • Malfunction of equipment • What are our options when/if it does occur?

  4. Monitoring Air Consumption • Surface before reaching reserve • Time • Depth • Estimating with experience

  5. Monitoring Air ConsumptionExample Dive: 20 mins at 10m. Start Pressure: 232bar, Final Pressure: 132 bar. 12litre cylinder • Total Consumption 100 bar (1200 litres) per 20mins Dive: as above but to 20m (i.e. 3 bar) • Deeper depth means higher ambient pressure • Deeper depth means higher consumption

  6. Octopus Regulator

  7. Octopus Regulator Advantages • Quick, simple, easy • Breathe normally on octopus • Uses buddy system Disadvantages • Not every diver has an octopus • If one buddy is out of air, the other is likely to have a limited supply

  8. Pony Cylinder

  9. Pony Cylinder • A complete independent dive cylinder with its own regulator • Safer, more dependable than octopus • Independent rescue without aid of buddy

  10. Buddy Breathing

  11. Buddy Breathing Advantages • Sharing one regulator and air supply between two divers • Like other methods, it has been used successfully • Uses Buddy system Disadvantages • Some times it has not been so successful • Proper training and practice required

  12. CO2 Cartridge • Banned by CFT for SCUBA* (O.K. for snorkel) • Inflates Buoyancy Device when activated • Cannot breathe from buoyancy device • Discard used cartridge and replace *As per CFT Rules & Regulations

  13. Buoyancy Device Mini Cylinder • Used to inflate buoyancy device in an Emergency • Rate of ascent can be controlled • Ensure neck extension • Cylinder contains breathable air • On some buoyancy devices breaths can be obtained via buoyancy device mouthpiece

  14. Free Ascent • Drop weight belt • Fin towards surface • Retain regulator in mouth • (more air may be released on ascent to surface) • Neck extension • Exhale slowly and attempt every few seconds to breathe from the regulator

  15. Which is Best? • No best method • All tried and proven • Circumstances dictate needs • Training essential

  16. Summary • Causes • Miscalculation • Distraction • Overloading • Malfunction • Options • Octopus regulator • Pony cylinder • Buddy breathing • Buoyancy device mini cylinder • Spare air • Free ascent

  17. Summary Check Gauges Regularly

  18. Questions

  19. Should your dive plan always be rigidly followed on a dive? • Not when it can be safely changed • Yes • Don't Know • No

  20. Should your dive plan always be rigidly followed on a dive? • Not when it can be safely changed • Yes - Plan your dive and dive your plan • Don't Know • No

  21. How often should you check your contents gauge on a dive • At start and end of dive • Whenever you think of it • Only a couple of times as the dive leader will keep an eye on it for you • Every few minutes

  22. How often should you check your contents gauge on a dive • At start and end of dive • Whenever you think of it • Only a couple of times as the dive leader will keep an eye on it for you • Every few minutesMake a habit of regularly checking your instruments.

  23. Which is the best method of rescue in an Out of Air situation? • Pony bottle with own regulator • There is none • Buddy breathing • Free ascent

  24. Which is the best method of rescue in an Out of Air situation? • Pony bottle with own regulator • There is noneEach situation requires different methods • Buddy breathing • Free ascent

  25. If you are ascending rapidly in a free ascent situation, should you: • Hope you reach the surface • Hold your fins out to slow down, to prevent an air embolism or decompression sickness • Maintain neck extension and breathe out slowly • Hold onto your mask to prevent it coming off your face

  26. If you are ascending rapidly in a free ascent situation, should you: • Hope you reach the surface • Hold your fins out to slow down, to prevent an air embolism or decompression sickness • Maintain neck extension and breathe out slowlyAvoid over-pressure in the lungs and prevent air embolism • Hold onto your mask to prevent it coming off your face

  27. When commencing a free ascent it is important to first: • Drop your weight belt • Stop and think about it for a few seconds • To ensure your buddy knows what you are going to do • Get a good start by pushing off the bottom

  28. When commencing a free ascent it is important to first: • Drop your weight beltTo obtain positive buoyancy • Stop and think about it for a few seconds • To ensure your buddy knows what you are going to do • Get a good start by pushing off the bottom

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