SAC levels

[Cindy]

When I do advanced dive planning I estimate my sac rate at .5. It seems to work but I haven't really measured it. My personal spin on this is that my sac rate is also dependent on diving conditions, how hard it is to access the site, comfort with buddies, task loading, equipment configuration, my regulators, weather, fatique and caffeine intake along with physical condition. I read an article that Prozac helps improve your sac level but never tried it. I'm not quite that obsessive yet. I don't skip breathe as it gives me a headache and can mess up your pH. It also leads to task loading and can increase your chance of panic if you don't do it right, that whole CO2 buildup thing can really get you! I have noticed the way to really mess with people is to ask them to breathe normally and not hold their breath. I used to do the whole zen diving deal with deep breathing and visualization but just got too busy to mess with it. I like the information presented but hope no one gets too competitive about this. Real-life meaurement of your sac rate is just too hard and too dependent on the day and conditions. Most of all I have found what gives me more time in a cave is enjoying the people I am with, accomplishing a task, enjoying the dive and the day! Dive safe all, Cindy

[HomoErectus]

Last Spring I had do an experiment for one of my stat classes. My experiement was dedicated to suck levels in cave diving. Below is the abstract from my paper, and a suggestion about reducing your suck level. The whole paper is about 7 pages but if anyone wants to read it PM me.

Abstract:
One of the differences between intro divers and John Orlowski is their respiratory rate. This is a nightmare for new cave divers, and a hidden competition among the seniors, but how can someone improve his/her respiratory rate? The following paper reveals that in order to “breath like a girl” he should be a man the night before. In a experiment conducted early March of 2005, it was found that having engaged in a sexual intercourse 12 hours before the dive, it can significantly decrease the breathing rate (p-value = 0.0037). Another important factor on predicting breathing rate was if the dive was the first one or the second one during the same day. It seems that that during the second dive, breathing rate is reduced (p-value= 0.0002). Finally, the interaction of these two factors is significant as well with a p-value = 0.0165. Of course, more experiments and research should be done in the subject, but one thing is certain. Sexual intercourse does not hurt your respiratory rate.

[Angie Reim]

[Angie Reim]

?

[HomoErectus]

First I am lableled as a sex offender, and now as a sexist pig. I am making a hell of a name for myself.

Angie
PM is on way. (I don't like attacking people on public, but if you would like I can post my reply here)

[Angie Reim]

Okay. Suit yourself. You did not answer my question.

[HomoErectus]

Okay. Suit yourself. You did not answer my question.

I just saw you PM

[John L.]

The following is the biggest load of sexist crap I've read in a while and I've been around 'a while' .

"The following paper reveals that in order to “breath like a girl” he should be a man the night before. "

Oh for God's sake. Duh. I hope we are are not paying for this via the Pell Grant. Relaxed mental state equals lower SAC rate. Duh. It swings both ways BOY. How about posting something worthwhile.

I'm no engineer, but if I had sex before I dove, I would probably be too sleepy and tired to dive!

[normblitch]

should i work on my .75? or is it really that bad

I dunno. What can you do? Some of that is heredity - it is, what it is. If you smoke, give it up. If you do caffeine or decongestants, give them up at least 24hrs prior to the dive. You can improve your cardiac conditioning through areobic exercise. I've improved my SAC rate from 0.8 to 0.6 making the above changes. Treadmills & Aerobic classes. Frankly it really shows in the effort required to get INTO the water. If I'm winded before getting in the water, my SAC rate sucks (literally). If I've been working out of late then my body can better handle the exertion of getting into the water, so my SAC rate improves. Is it worth a better SAC rate? It was for me. I've gone from the average 60min to an average 90 minute dive in the same system (Ginnie) plus I feel about 10X better after a dive so that I can do another. That was my experience. As I age the whole concept of SAC rate and performance may change with it. I don't know which direction. Seems to me that FW carries a pair of fetus lungs too. Per FW (please correct me if I'm wrong) it is also a matter of comfort level and the ability to relax - also (in my opinion) the knowledge of how to play the currents of a given system. My game is to improve my SAC rates through physical conditioning. I figure it can't hurt and can only help me in general - no matter what SAC rate I wind up with.

Angie

Mine normally runs .6 to .7....

INCLUDING smoking, fat, caffine, AND Afrin...

YMMV

Norm

[normblitch]

Like Angie said, being in decent physical condition helps, but the biggest factor I believe in increasing your SAC rate is your comfort level. If you are relaxed, having a good time, taking in slow, you will go a lot farther. We I go to a new cave, I will do the same route 10 or 15 times before I move on to the next route. Like I will do the bat circuit over and over, then the bone room circuit, etc. After awhile, you know almost every rock and detail, and it's like you are walking thru your own home. You get comfortable, and you hardly use any gas. My two cents.
John

Well Said...

AFAICT, " your SAC rate is your comfort level" is what is accounting for my inexplicably good numbers...AND my high level of enjoyment...

Norm