SAC rates

[Intranicity]

What is your SAC? I'm still a new diver, but its much better now than when I was gulping air on the first few dives.

In warm water (28degC) my rate is averaging out at 19.12 ltr/min, cold water (8degC) it's up slightly to 20.74, not sure how much better to hope expect this to get, but seems to have stabilised at this kind of rate.

Should I expect to get a better SAC, and if so, how do I improve it?

[o2dependant]

Do you have a link to an easy to use calculator.

Where you just put in the tank size, pressurre, bar used, average depth and time.

[Markymark]

Sac will improve with better buoyancy, weighting and when you relax.
Also each dive will differ according to tide conditions etc

More than all sac will improve when you stop thinking about it

[Ian@1904]

General fitness, a lack of bioprene, being relaxed in the water, good weighting and hence buoyancy control will all aid your SAC. Try some yoga and learn to use your diaphragm better and get more use out of your lungs.

Some divers are simply heavy breathers. I have been known to dive with very competent divers who consume gas at twice the rate I do. It is not a competition, if you need to take more gas with you then take more gas.

Please don't attempt to conserve gas by skip breathing.

My SAC is 12-14. I know divers with a lower SAC than me

[Dive dog]

Mine is normally about 24l/min but I dived with a new buddy and although I felt pretty relaxed, my sacs shot up to 35l/min.

[Baz]

I was obsessed with sac when I started diving as it was so bad. So I will actually give you the figures.

My warm water rate works out between 10 & 12 lt/pm. I have air integrated, so AC on suunto dive log says 10.4 but will work out at 12 on calculator. Bear in mind I am 6ft 4 and not exactly a twig.

Cold is probably around 16 but I work on 20ltpm for planning.

Raineys (the missus) sac is 8-9 lt/pm in warm water.

Best advice is Stop thinking about breathing , work on being neutral in the water, don't fin unless you have to and dive a lot.