How to Use a SCUBA Tank

SCUBA tanks make it possible to breathe under water. There is no other way to enjoy the beautiful world beneath the surface. And the great thing about the tank system is that with just a few hours of instruction, anyone can safely use a SCUBA tank and have a great time under the waves.

Instructions

    • 1

      Have the tank filled from a proper air source. The tank's capacity is written in the number of cubic feet of surface-volume air it can hold. The air is compressed so it can hold quite a lot of air. A standard tank can equal the volume of air in a walk-in closet. Air can go stale so replace the air in the tank every six months. It also must be inspected once a year.

    • 2

      Turn the tank valve on to allow airflow through the regulator.

    • 3

      Breathe through the regulator. There is a purge button that allows you to purge it of water with a blast of air before you put it in your mouth. Always exhale first when putting on a regulator to clear it of water. As you inhale, a diaphragm inside the regulator is sucked inward, opening the inlet valve. When you stop inhaling the valve closes, keeping water out of the tank. When you exhale, an exhaust valve opens and vents the used air out through an exhaust tee.

    • 4

      Breathe deeply. When you inhale through a regulator, the first air taken into your lungs is air that has been left in the dead-air spaces from your previous breath. Basically that is carbon dioxide. If you take shallow breaths, each breath will have a high amount of carbon dioxide. If you drawn in a deep breath, you take in a lot more fresh air.

    • 5

      Be able to recognize when your air feels low. Although you should never run out of air because you monitor your gauge properly, you should be able to recognize the signs of when it is getting low. The effort to inhale significantly increases.

    • 6

      Regain a lost regulator. If your regulator drops out of your mouth, don't panic. Hold your breath and sweep your arms back, out and around in a circular motion. Because of the way the regulator tube is attached to the tank, your arm will hook the tube and bring it to your front. Purge, put it in your mouth, exhale, and breathe.

    • 7

      Monitor your Submersible Pressure gauge. Surface with at least 300 psi still in your tank. This is one of the things that sets a good diver apart is proper planning of her air use. You should be able to make a slow ascent, take a three minute safety stop at 15 feet while you equalize, and still make the surface with 300 psi.