SKIP BREATHING is this nonsense?

[dumpsterDiver]

Is there any scuba-related knowledge that you haven't acquired the hard way?

You should see the REST of my life!

 

[dumpsterDiver]

It’s not hog wash, it will extend your air time somewhat at shallow depths with the caveat of higher CO2 buildup and all the things that can come from that. The technique started and was used in the 50’s through the 70’s, mostly in the military, when all there had were steel 72’s. If you had a mission that needed a few for minutes to complete, or you were in a situation where surfacing might lead to death – say beach clearing on a hostile beach were there were bad guys with machine guns etc. – it was a way of staying down longer.

But today, there is no reason for anyone, especially in recreational diving, to skip breath, it is not needed, as one poster stated – get a bigger tank.

I agree. it does work, but not worth it. Breath slower, deeper amd exhale a little more than you would normally will help to lblow off CO2 more effectively. A diver CAN withstand higher CO2 for short periods of time.

I think this is an interesting topic because people always seen to be striving to lower their SAC rate. It seems a diver can get instant respect simply by saying something like " I'm good on air". Certainly much more than if they say "I move like a jellyfish, I'm fat and never get cold, I have little muscle mass and my metabolism is slow"

I think this issue must be confusiong to new divers. Using less air is GOOD, but trying to do it by breathing less is BAD.

A low SAC rate is indicative of someone who is calm and efficient underwater (a worthwhile goal), but breathing less air, in and of itself is not something we should be striving for.

 

[kanonfodr]

I think this is an interesting topic because people always seen to be striving to lower their SAC rate. It seems a diver can get instant respect simply by saying something like " I'm good on air". Certainly much more than if they say "I move like a jellyfish, I'm fat and never get cold, I have little muscle mass and my metabolism is slow"

Interestingly enough, the Mr. Jellyfishes of the world can generally keep up with the 110 lb red-headed ladies, but I'll take the red-heads over Mr. Jellyfish any day .

Peace,
Greg

 

[DaleC]

...but breathing less air, in and of itself is not something we should be striving for.

There'll be plenty of time for that when we're dead!

I agree about the obsession with SAC's. I could care less what my SAC is other than to calculate needed gas volumes. It is what it is and will take care of itself as experience is gained. The true measure of a divers ability is whether they have a large knife strapped to their leg or not.
I do btw and it is AWESOME.

 

[DandyDon]

Find 100 cf tanks. I like 120-130 if I can find them.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

Find 100 cf tanks. I like 120-130 if I can find them.

Today I dove between 160 and 185 ft for about 14 minutes and did about 20 min ascent (including deco) and got on the boat with 1400 psi in my single tank

It hold 149 cu-ft

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Today I dove between 160 and 185 ft for about 14 minutes and did about 20 min ascent (including deco) and got on the boat with 1400 psi in my single tank

It hold 149 cu-ft

Diving that deep on a single cylinder is an even worse idea than skip breathing.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Cave Diver]

Diving that deep on a single cylinder is an even worse idea than skip breathing.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

I'm sure he had his pony.

 

[Avonthediver]

I am a cold lake diver and most of us that hunt Walleye and other suck fish use what is called SKIP BREATHING as too not scare off the elusive fish we hunt with our bubble's...BUT in shalow water and its more like a slow exhale rather than holding your breath before taking in your next inhale.
And if you do it right you will get no headache and will extend your bottom time.
It may not be right but it works.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

Diving that deep on a single cylinder is an even worse idea than skip breathing.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

I HAD a pony Bottle and no buddy so I only gotta save air for me. What's the problem with finishing all deco and a safety stop and getting on the boat with 1400 psi? I made zero effort to conserve air.