How Long Do Diving Oxygen Tanks Last?

The question of how long a tank of oxygen lasts in scuba diving is a common one, but it is more complex than that. Factors determining the tank’s lifespan include tank volume, pressure, and depth. The most commonly used tank size is the standard aluminum 80-cubic-foot tank, which can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour at a depth of 60 feet for an average diver.

Oxygen is essential for life, and its duration depends on several factors, including depth. An average scuba tank can last 30 to 60 minutes if working hard, while a tank can last only thirty minutes if the diver is still underwater. Most SCUBA tanks last for about 20 years, as long as they are properly cared for and inspected.

A steel tank with a 21 liters per minute 2300 liter tank would last 377 minutes, as it would only need to provide about 6 liters per dive. An average diver can stay underwater for 45-60 minutes on a 40-foot dive, but time varies according to depth, tank volume, and other factors.

The simple answer to how long a tank of oxygen lasts is about an hour, but it is more complex than that. The amount of air a diver consumes depends on their dive time and the type of gas used. The average beginner diver’s air consumption in calm waters runs a tank close to empty in around 1 hour at 10m depth (compared to just a few minutes at 40m). All tanks, whether steel or aluminum, must pass a hydrostatic test every 5 years and a visual inspection.