So, Last night I posted a question about holding your breath. I got the answer I suspected.
Actually, the answers you received were more complex. Nobody said it was okay to hold your breath. Some differentiated that 'retaining an open glottis' negated the need to actively breath/exhale. This is VERY different to '
holding your breath'. It was then pointed out that there are solid reasons for the 'golden rule' of not holding your breath - namely to avoid fostering (or actively eliminate) any instinctive reaction the diver might have to hold their breath due to stress/panic.
Holding your breath being dangerous isn't a myth.
The reason I (amongst others) discourage too much discussion on issues such as 'glottis control' originates for this very reason. People read it and think '
well, darn... it IS okay to hold my breath'. Those people might then do something dumb enough to kill them.
For the record, shallowest recorded fatality from a lung over-expansion injury was 30cm. A guy stood up from the shallow end of a swimming pool while holding his breath on scuba. Read This:
A Diving Fatality at Shallow Depth
To which 'myth' do you refer?
Torches are needed to illuminate on night dives. If ambient nocturnal light is sufficiently bright, you can conduct a dive using night vision. You cannot however use torch signals.
The answers are: a novice should not, but with experience you can. There are dangers to it that, as a novice, is not worth the risk.
Yes and no. Training permits a wider breadth of technique, equipment and activity. That said, some techniques remain less than optimum regardless of user experience.
You 'could' pick your nose with a claw hammer. With practice, you might get good at it. It'll never be accepted as a fundamentally safe or optimal idea though...
What myths are taught that are like those already mentioned. They are taught to keep the new diver from dying, when in reality, it can be done safely IF you have more skill and you understand the reasoning behind it.
Most dive agencies give the following advice: 'Dive within the limits of your training and experience". That is all... no myths, no BS.
...and don't hold your breath.
---------- Post added May 10th, 2013 at 12:37 AM ----------
never dive in an overhead environment
I don't believe any of these are mythical... or unilaterally prohibited... or considered dangerous.
Divers are recommended to seek appropriate training and have a prerequisite experience/competence before doing that however...
Same for solo diving now too....
