Divers managing their air consumption is one of the most important skills that they have. Yes this was part of the ‘classic’ Open Water course but now even more focus has been placed on air management in the new PADI Open Water course.
In knowledge development, information is now given about air management. During section 2 students are given details about ‘turning point’ and students learn the rule of 3rds. For divers following this rule, one third of the air supply is planned for the outward journey, one third is for the return journey and one third is a safety reserve.
During the shallow water skills practices additional air management skills. besides the standard air checks, are introduced to ensure students are practicing good habits regarding air management. Now student divers must indicate remaining air supply within 20 bar without rechecking the SPG. With this, students start to understand their personal consumption rate to help better plan their dives and dive their plans. This skill is then brought to the open water dives, where during the dives, students also need to indicate remaining air supply within 20 bar without rechecking their SPG.
Students divers now learn the term ‘turning point’ to ensure that they are managing their gas consumption on a dive site and planning to surface with a reserve in their tank. Turning point is the point during the dive, based on gas consumption, in which the dive group needs to start making their way to the planned safety stop area. Once again the dive planning slate helps student divers plan these factors into their dive. Student divers check their starting pressure, minus the planned reserve, ascent and safety stop consumption. With the remaining pressure, student divers can then work out their turning point.
With the all new skills that have been added and the adjustment of other skills, the new PADI Open Water course is the most up-to-date course for entry level divers. Come and take a journey with one of our professionally train PADI dive instructors and experience the new Open Water course.
