Out of Air v1.0

Out of AirOut of Air

AIR/1May 2007

Out of Air v1.0

We Will CoverWe Will Cover

• Causes of “Out of Air” situationsCauses of “Out of Air” situations

• Options availableOptions available

AIR/2

Out of Air v1.0

Why do divers run out of Air?Why do divers run out of Air?

Four main reasons:Four main reasons:

• MiscalculationMiscalculation

• DistractionDistraction

• OverloadingOverloading

• Malfunction of equipmentMalfunction of equipment

What are our options when/if it does occur?What are our options when/if it does occur?

AIR/3

Out of Air v1.0

Monitoring Air ConsumptionMonitoring Air Consumption

• Surface before reaching reserveSurface before reaching reserve

• TimeTime

• DepthDepth

• Estimating with experienceEstimating with experience

AIR/4

Out of Air v1.0

Monitoring Air ConsumptionMonitoring Air ConsumptionExampleExample

Dive: 20 mins at 10m. Start Pressure: 232bar, Final Dive: 20 mins at 10m. Start Pressure: 232bar, Final Pressure: 132 bar. 12litre cylinderPressure: 132 bar. 12litre cylinder

• Total Consumption 100 bar (1200 litres) per Total Consumption 100 bar (1200 litres) per 20mins20mins

Dive: as above but to 20m (i.e. 3 bar)Dive: as above but to 20m (i.e. 3 bar)

• Deeper depth means higher ambient pressureDeeper depth means higher ambient pressure

• Deeper depth means higher consumptionDeeper depth means higher consumption

AIR/5

Out of Air v1.0

Octopus RegulatorOctopus Regulator

AIR/6

Out of Air v1.0

Octopus RegulatorOctopus Regulator

AdvantagesAdvantages• Quick, simple, easyQuick, simple, easy• Breathe normally on octopusBreathe normally on octopus• Uses buddy systemUses buddy system

DisadvantagesDisadvantages• Not every diver has an octopusNot every diver has an octopus• If one buddy is out of air, the other is likely to If one buddy is out of air, the other is likely to

have a limited supplyhave a limited supply

AIR/6a

Out of Air v1.0

Pony CylinderPony Cylinder

AIR/7

Out of Air v1.0

Pony CylinderPony Cylinder

• A complete independent dive cylinder with A complete independent dive cylinder with its own regulatorits own regulator

• Safer, more dependable than octopusSafer, more dependable than octopus

• Independent rescue without aid of buddyIndependent rescue without aid of buddy

AIR/7a

Out of Air v1.0

Buddy BreathingBuddy Breathing

AIR/8

Out of Air v1.0

Buddy BreathingBuddy BreathingAdvantagesAdvantages

• Sharing one regulator and air supply between two Sharing one regulator and air supply between two diversdivers

• Like other methods, it has been used successfullyLike other methods, it has been used successfully

• Uses Buddy systemUses Buddy system

DisadvantagesDisadvantages• Some times it has not been so successfulSome times it has not been so successful

• Proper training and practice requiredProper training and practice required

AIR/8a

Out of Air v1.0

COCO22 Cartridge Cartridge

AIR/9

• Banned by CFT for SCUBA* (O.K. for snorkel)Banned by CFT for SCUBA* (O.K. for snorkel)

*As per CFT Rules & Regulations*As per CFT Rules & Regulations

• Inflates Buoyancy Device when activatedInflates Buoyancy Device when activated

• Cannot breathe from buoyancy deviceCannot breathe from buoyancy device

• Discard used cartridge and replaceDiscard used cartridge and replace

Out of Air v1.0

Buoyancy Device Mini CylinderBuoyancy Device Mini Cylinder

AIR/10

• Used to inflate buoyancy device in an EmergencyUsed to inflate buoyancy device in an Emergency

• Rate of ascent can be controlledRate of ascent can be controlled

• Ensure neck extensionEnsure neck extension

• Cylinder contains breathable airCylinder contains breathable air

• On some buoyancy devices breaths can be On some buoyancy devices breaths can be obtained via buoyancy device mouthpieceobtained via buoyancy device mouthpiece

Out of Air v1.0

Free AscentFree Ascent

AIR/11

• Drop weight beltDrop weight belt

• Fin towards surfaceFin towards surface

• Retain regulator in mouthRetain regulator in mouth– (more air may be released on ascent to surface)(more air may be released on ascent to surface)

• Neck extensionNeck extension

• Exhale slowly and attempt every few seconds Exhale slowly and attempt every few seconds to breathe from the regulatorto breathe from the regulator

Out of Air v1.0

Which is Best?Which is Best?

• No best methodNo best method

• All tried and provenAll tried and proven

• Circumstances dictate needsCircumstances dictate needs

• Training essentialTraining essential

AIR/12

Out of Air v1.0

SummarySummary• CausesCauses

– MiscalculationMiscalculation

– DistractionDistraction

– Overloading Overloading

– MalfunctionMalfunction

• OptionsOptions– Octopus regulatorOctopus regulator

– pony cylinderpony cylinder

– buddy breathingbuddy breathing

– buoyancy device buoyancy device mini cylindermini cylinder

– spare airspare air

– free ascentfree ascent

AIR/13

Out of Air v1.0

SummarySummary

Check Gauges RegularlyCheck Gauges Regularly

AIR/13a

Out of Air v1.0

QuestionsQuestions

Out of Air v1.0

Should your dive plan always be Should your dive plan always be

rigidly followed on a dive?rigidly followed on a dive?

(a) (a) Not when it can be safely changedNot when it can be safely changed

(b) (b) YesYes

(c) (c) Don't KnowDon't Know

(d) (d) NoNo

Question 1

Out of Air v1.0

Should your dive plan always be Should your dive plan always be

rigidly followed on a dive?rigidly followed on a dive?

(a) (a) Not when it can be safely changedNot when it can be safely changed

(b) (b) Yes Yes Plan your dive and dive your planPlan your dive and dive your plan

(c) (c) Don't KnowDon't Know

(d) (d) NoNo

Question 1

Out of Air v1.0

How often should you check your How often should you check your

contents gauge on a divecontents gauge on a dive

(a) (a) At start and end of diveAt start and end of dive

(b) (b) Whenever you think of itWhenever you think of it

(c) (c) Only a couple of times as the dive leader Only a couple of times as the dive leader will keep an eye on it for youwill keep an eye on it for you

(d) (d) Every few minutesEvery few minutes

Question 2

Out of Air v1.0

How often should you check your How often should you check your

contents gauge on a divecontents gauge on a dive

(a) (a) At start and end of diveAt start and end of dive

(b) (b) Whenever you think of itWhenever you think of it

(c) (c) Only a couple of times as the dive leader Only a couple of times as the dive leader will keep an eye on it for youwill keep an eye on it for you

(d) (d) Every few minutes Every few minutes Make a habit of regularly checking your instruments.Make a habit of regularly checking your instruments.

Question 2

Out of Air v1.0

Which is the best method of Which is the best method of

rescue in an Out of Air situation?rescue in an Out of Air situation?

(a) (a) Pony bottle with own regulatorPony bottle with own regulator

(b) (b) There is noneThere is none

(c) (c) Buddy breathingBuddy breathing

(d) (d) Free ascentFree ascent

Question 3

Out of Air v1.0

Which is the best method of Which is the best method of

rescue in an Out of Air situation?rescue in an Out of Air situation?

(a) (a) Pony bottle with own regulatorPony bottle with own regulator

(b) (b) There is noneThere is noneEach situation requires different methodsEach situation requires different methods

(c) (c) Buddy breathingBuddy breathing

(d) (d) Free ascentFree ascent

Question 3

Out of Air v1.0

If you are ascending rapidly in a If you are ascending rapidly in a

free ascent situation, should you:-free ascent situation, should you:-

(a) (a) Hope you reach the surfaceHope you reach the surface

(b) (b) Hold your fins out to slow down, to prevent an air Hold your fins out to slow down, to prevent an air embolism or decompression sicknessembolism or decompression sickness

(c) (c) Maintain neck extension and breathe out slowlyMaintain neck extension and breathe out slowly

(d) (d) Hold onto your mask to prevent it coming off your Hold onto your mask to prevent it coming off your faceface

Question 4

Out of Air v1.0

If you are ascending rapidly in a If you are ascending rapidly in a

free ascent situation, should you:-free ascent situation, should you:-

Question 4

(a) (a) Hope you reach the surfaceHope you reach the surface

(b) (b) Hold your fins out to slow down, to prevent an air Hold your fins out to slow down, to prevent an air embolism or decompression sicknessembolism or decompression sickness

(c) (c) Maintain neck extension and breathe out slowly Maintain neck extension and breathe out slowly Avoid over-pressure in the lungs and prevent air embolismAvoid over-pressure in the lungs and prevent air embolism

(d) (d) Hold onto your mask to prevent it coming off your Hold onto your mask to prevent it coming off your faceface

Out of Air v1.0

When commencing a free ascent When commencing a free ascent

it is important to first:-it is important to first:-

Question 5

(a) (a) Drop your weight beltDrop your weight belt

(b) (b) Stop and think about it for a few secondsStop and think about it for a few seconds

(c) (c) To ensure your buddy knows what you are To ensure your buddy knows what you are going to dogoing to do

(d) (d) Get a good start by pushing off the bottomGet a good start by pushing off the bottom

Out of Air v1.0

When commencing a free ascent When commencing a free ascent

it is important to first:-it is important to first:-

Question 5

(a) (a) Drop your weight belt Drop your weight belt To obtain positive buoyancyTo obtain positive buoyancy

(b) (b) Stop and think about it for a few secondsStop and think about it for a few seconds

(c) (c) To ensure your buddy knows what you are To ensure your buddy knows what you are going to dogoing to do

(d) (d) Get a good start by pushing off the bottomGet a good start by pushing off the bottom