It’s a question that all beginner scuba divers ask at some point: how long can you stay underwater on a single tank of air?
The answer, as with most things in diving, is it depends.
The amount of time that you can spend underwater will ultimately depend on the size of your tank and how quickly you use up the air that it contains. Generally speaking though, most divers can remain under the surface for anywhere between 30 minutes and an hour.
Table of Contents
Your breathing rate affects the time
The length of time you can stay underwater depends on how quickly you use up air.
If you have a large tank but breathe very rapidly, then you will use up your air supply much more quickly than someone with a smaller tank who breathes slowly.
Likewise if you are a very calm and relaxed diver, you will likely use less air and be able to stay down for a longer period of time.
Conversely, if you are more anxious or tend to breathe heavier, you will use up air faster and won’t be able to stay down as long.
The size of the tank also affects the time
Of course, the size of your tank is going to have a direct impact on how long you can stay underwater.
The average scuba tank holds between 80 and 100 cubic feet of air, which is enough for most people to last for an hour or more.
However, if you are diving in very cold water or at high altitudes, you may need a larger tank to compensate for the fact that your air will expand and therefore won’t last as long.
The depth of your dive
You will use more air the deeper you dive.
The deeper you go, the more pressure there is on your body and the air that you are breathing.
This means that you have to work harder to breathe, and as a result, you will use up air more quickly.
So if you are diving at depths of 30 feet or more, you can expect your air supply to last for less than an hour.
Your level of experience
As a general rule, beginner divers tend to use up air more quickly than experienced divers.
This is because they are often more anxious and tend to breathe heavier than those who have been diving for awhile.
With time and practice, most people learn how to control their breathing and become more efficient at using the air in their tanks.
The no decompression limit
The no decompression limit is the maximum time that you can spend at a depth before you have to ascend.
The deeper that you dive the shorter this time will be.
This means that there is always a maximum time that you can spend at any depth before you need to return to the surface – regardless of how much air is left in your tank.
Dive computers are often the best option for calculating just how long you can remain underwater.
Water temperature has an effect
The colder the water, the more air you will use.
This is because cold water causes your body to work harder to maintain its core temperature. As a result, you will breathe heavier and use up air more quickly.
Cold water also carries the risk of hypothermia, a serious condition, caused by a reduction in body temperature which can result in unconciousness and death.
Time in the water will be governed by your comfort levels and how cold you feel. When you begin to get cold it is time to get out.
The planned dive time
The planned dive time is the amount of time that you and your dive buddy agree to spend underwater.
Once this time has elapsed, it is time to return to the surface – regardless of how much air you have left in your tanks.
It is always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to the planned dive time.
Determining how long you can stay underwater
There are a number of factors that will affect how long you can stay underwater.
These include the size of your tank, your breathing rate, the depth of your dive, the water temperature, and your level of experience.
The best way to determine how long you can stay underwater is to use a dive computer.
This will take into account all of the factors that can affect your air supply and give you an accurate estimate of how long you can stay at a certain depth.
When planning a dive, it is always better to err on the side of caution.
This means setting a planned dive time that is shorter than the estimated time that your dive computer says you can stay underwater.
This way, you can be sure to surface with plenty of air to spare.
Final Words
There are many factors that affect just how long a scuba diver can remain underwater on a single tank.
It’s always wise to use a dive computer to help plan your dive and to err on the side of caution by setting a shorter planned dive time than your dive computer calculates.
Other things that affect how long you can stay underwater include the depth of your dive, the water temperature, and your level of experience.
By following these guidelines, you can be sure to enjoy your dive while staying safe at the same time.
