PSA: I was wrong about drysuit inflation gas for 4 years

I always used argon for my drysuit because that's what the old guys told me to do. Last month during a job in the Santa Barbara harbor, my tenders pointed out I was going through bottle way too fast. Turns out argon is heavier and gives you worse buoyancy control than just using your backgas. Switched to air inflation on the next dive and immediately felt the difference in trim and gas longevity. Anyone else been running argon this whole time without thinking about it?

3 comments

3 Comments

sarah81822d ago

You know you've been doing it wrong when your own tenders start making fun of your gas consumption... nothing like a little public humiliation on the boat to figure things out. Argon being heavier and messing with your trim is the real kicker though, all that time I spent adjusting weights when the gas itself was fighting me. The old school guys really have us brainwashed sometimes, just repeating what they say without thinking. At least now you can save some money on gas and maybe look a little less silly in the water. Tell your tenders I said thanks for the free lesson, even if they probably enjoyed watching you struggle first.

drew_reed6223d ago

Air works way better for most dives, argon is old school nonsense.

the_kim23d agoMost Upvoted

Ha, I used to think that too until I tried argon on a really cold wreck dive. My drysuit felt way warmer on the second dive.