How long can you breath underwater using an ORCA Mini Scuba Tank?
How Long Can You Breathe Underwater With an ORCA Mini Scuba Tank?
One of the most common questions we get about our mini scuba tanks is: “How long can I breathe underwater?” The answer depends on the size of the tank, the pressure it’s filled to, and how deep you’re diving. Let’s break it all down so you can understand the math and know what to expect.
Step 1: How Much Air Does a Person Breathe?
On average:
• A typical person breathes about 0.5 liters of air per breath.
• At the surface (1 atmosphere of pressure), this doesn’t change.
• At a depth of 10 meters (33 feet), the pressure doubles (2 atmospheres), meaning each breath uses 1 liter of air because the air compresses under pressure.
Step 2: How Much Air Is in Each Tank?
Each tank is filled with compressed air. To calculate the total amount of air available, we multiply the tank size (in liters) by the compression factor. The compression factor is the pressure inside the tank divided by the pressure at the surface (14.7 PSI).
Example: ORCA 500 (Alloy) (0.5L, filled to 3000 PSI)
• Tank Pressure: 3000 PSI
• Compression Factor: 3000/{14.7 = 204
• Total Air Volume: 0.5L x 204 = 102L
This means the Orca 500 model holds 102 liters of air!
We used this same calculation for all the tanks:
| Tank Model | Tank Size (L) | Tank Pressure (PSI) | Total Air Volume (L) |
| Orca 500 | 0.5L | 3000 | 102 |
| Orca Pro 300 | 0.3L | 4500 | 92 |
| Orca Pro 500 | 0.5L | 4500 | 153 |
| Orca Pro 1100 | 1.1L | 4500 | 337 |
Step 3: How Many Breaths Can You Get?
Now that we know the total air volume, we divide it by 0.5 liters per breath to calculate the number of breaths at the surface:
| Tank Model | Total Air Volume (L) | Breaths (Surface) |
| Orca 500 | 102 | 204 |
| Orca Pro 300 | 92 | 184 |
| Orca Pro 500 | 153 | 306 |
| Orca Pro 1100 | 336 | 673 |
At 10 meters depth, the pressure doubles, so each breath uses twice as much air (1 liter per breath). The number of breaths is halved:
| Tank Model | Breaths at 10M deep |
| Orca 500 | 102 |
| Orca Pro 300 | 92 |
| Orca Pro 500 | 153 |
| Orca Pro 1100 | 336 |
Step 4: How Long Will That Last?
To estimate how long you can breathe underwater, divide the number of breaths by your average breathing rate (about 15 breaths per minute for a calm diver):
| Tank Model | Time (Surface) | Time (10M Depth) |
| Orca 500 | 13.6 minutes | 6.8 minutes |
| Orca Pro 300 | 12.3 Minutes | 6.1 minutes |
| Orca Pro 500 | 20.4 minutes | 10.2 minutes |
| Orca Pro 1100 | 44.9 minutes | 22.5 minutes |
Visualizing the Numbers
Check out the chart that compares the number of breaths you get at the surface versus at 10 meters.
Key Takeaways
1. The surface gives you more time. At the surface, your tank lasts longer because air consumption doesn’t increase with depth.
2. Depth affects consumption. At 10 meters, air is consumed twice as fast, so breathing time is halved.
3. Choose the right tank. If you’re planning for longer dives or snorkeling trips, consider the Pro 1.1L for the maximum number of breaths.
By understanding how the tanks work, you can plan your underwater adventures with confidence. Have more questions? Drop a comment below, or explore our product page to find the perfect mini scuba tank for your next dive!