| Floating seems easy when you're lying on the surface | | | | resistant to dents for those cave dives and resist |
| of a swimming pool. Keeping your body horizontal | | | | corrosion for the hardcore divers. |
| seems like child's play. | | | | A problem with many aluminum tanks is that they can |
| But when you're strapped down with gear, breathing in | | | | get stripped from screwing on the regulator time and |
| huge gulps and trying to maintain a certain depth, all the | | | | time again. This is not an issue with the steel tank. |
| while adjusting the air flow hoses and valves, it can be | | | | Another problem many new divers have with scuba |
| quite a challenge! | | | | tanks is in the positioning. Did you know that a cylinder |
| Scuba tanks can greatly affect your buoyancy and | | | | placed higher on the back puts a diver in a naturally |
| choosing the right one for your trip -- as well as proper | | | | head-down position? |
| positioning on your back -- can make the difference | | | | Conversely, a cylinder worn too low will leave divers |
| between a hassle and an enjoyable dive. | | | | feet-heavy. You can improve your air consumption by |
| While buoyancy seems like a simple concept (we add | | | | placing the cylinder a little higher, just below the head, |
| air to our BCD, inhale and float along at what is called | | | | so that you are naturally horizontal. |
| "neutral buoyancy"), some novice divers have a hard | | | | You can purchase tanks at 50, 70.2 and 80 cubic feet |
| time maintaining their depth and are constantly fidgeting | | | | levels. New divers are advised to purchase either 71 or |
| with the valves and hoses. Sometimes just having the | | | | 80 because they will likely need more air. Larger scuba |
| proper tank for your particular diving trip can be a huge | | | | tanks are harder to find but can still be found for those |
| help. | | | | going on very long excursions. Auxiliary or pony tanks |
| Aluminum scuba tanks are the most popular -- possibly | | | | hold 10-40 cubic feet of air and are strapped onto the |
| because they're cheaper, but also because they're a | | | | larger tank for backup. |
| lot easier to lug around. These lightweight tanks may | | | | Scuba tanks need to be inspected every five years, |
| require you to carry more weights with you if you wish | | | | by law in the United States. In Europe, the mandate is |
| to descend to greater depths, yet are perfect for | | | | every two years. Many divers feel comfortable testing |
| those surface and reef dives. | | | | their scuba gear every year, as you can never be too |
| Be aware that most dive shops won't refill an | | | | safe when it comes to your underwater breathing |
| aluminum tank if it is more than 15 years old, so if you | | | | apparatus. |
| plan to keep scuba diving for many years, a steel tank | | | | Scuba tanks are a large investment initially, but they |
| might be a better fit for you. | | | | should last for many years and many breathtaking |
| When you're diving in cold water with a thermally | | | | trips. |
| insulating dive suit, you're better off with a heavier | | | | Enrich your knowledge further about scuba tanks from |
| cylinder made of steel. Steel scuba tanks, while they | | | | Mike Selvon portal. We appreciate your feedback at |
| may cost twice as much as aluminum, they are more | | | | our scuba diving blog where a free gift awaits you. |