Breathing in all positions?

[FoxDavis]

I am new to diving and have a question regarding ease of breathing in all positions.

I went to Kona and did some diving with my new Apex XTX50. Most of the dives I was swimming along looking at the coral and everything else. So in normal swim positions. I did a night dive with the Manta Rays and was a little bored so I was moving around a little. The Manta's were flying all over the place which was very Awesome but when they would go a way for a minute, I started moving my head up looking at all the snorkelers and noticed that my breathing was a little more difficult. I adjusted the flow and it was very close to the max. Didn't change anything... Moved my head down like I was looking at some straps on my BC and the air seemed to flow very good.

So when someone is diving in a wreck, cave or wherever do you just learn to breath differently or is there something wrong with my reg? Or is it just that I am a new diver and it's ME?

 

[fnfalman]

I am new to diving and have a question regarding ease of breathing in all positions.

I went to Kona and did some diving with my new Apex XTX50. Most of the dives I was swimming along looking at the coral and everything else. So in normal swim positions. I did a night dive with the Manta Rays and was a little bored so I was moving around a little. The Manta's were flying all over the place which was very Awesome but when they would go a way for a minute, I started moving my head up looking at all the snorkelers and noticed that my breathing was a little more difficult. I adjusted the flow and it was very close to the max. Didn't change anything... Moved my head down like I was looking at some straps on my BC and the air seemed to flow very good.

So when someone is diving in a wreck, cave or wherever do you just learn to breath differently or is there something wrong with my reg? Or is it just that I am a new diver and it's ME?

If you're on your back looking up the surface, then yes, your reg will breath harder than when you're on your belly looking down. That's physics. Bubbles want to go up and not down. When you're on your face, bubbles go up into your mouth. When you're on your back, you have to suck the bubbles down.

Depends on which regulators, but some of them breath wet (water gets in a bit) if you're in a head down/feet up position.

 

[Nemrod]

Is this one of the top ten most asked questions:

N

 

[FoxDavis]

Sounds like it is just me.... That's great, didn't think my new reg needed to be looked at, lol

Another question with the mouth piece, I have a comfort fit (lip that wraps the back of your top teeth) and after my third dive of the day, the back of my throat hurt, sore and was dry as hell. Would another type of mouth piece help with that? Or do I need to turn down my air flow?

 

[Nemrod]

Sounds like it is just me....

No, actually it is not just you, it is everyone.

Really, I am not carping on you but this stuff should have been taught in your scuba course---really---you should ask for your money back. It is also basic high school science or at least used to be.

The air in the scuba tank is compressed air. The physics of compressing air removes all moisture from the air. This results in many people experiencing a very dry mouth/throat and modern plastic regulators make it worse. You will learn to deal with it.

Good luck.

N

 

[drdaddy]

FoxDavis,
It's alright to ask. Nemrod probably just forgot that a lot of things we know now is because we just heard them, read them, figured them out, or invented them ourselves. Hang around a good LDS, take classes, talk diving, and keep asking at SB . But he is right - these are basic things covered in your intro classes. I'm concerned that the more "online stuff", the less new divers are around old salts who are instructors. And the more you are around instant "DM/Instructors" that are in the industry less than 4 years!

 

[FoxDavis]

FoxDavis,
It's alright to ask. Nemrod probably just forgot that a lot of things we know now is because we just heard them, read them, figured them out, or invented them ourselves. Hang around a good LDS, take classes, talk diving, and keep asking at SB . But he is right - these are basic things covered in your intro classes. I'm concerned that the more "online stuff", the less new divers are around old salts who are instructors. And the more you are around instant "DM/Instructors" that are in the industry less than 4 years!

Thanks Drdaddy,

You are right, I did learn that in the class but reading and feeling are two different things. Just wanted to ask and learn as much as I can so I can be the best I can underwater. There are some many things that can happen in the blink of an eye so if I am confident in the gear then one less thing to worry about.

I love this stuff! Now, just need some more time!

 

[FoxDavis]

No, actually it is not just you, it is everyone.

Really, I am not carping on you but this stuff should have been taught in your scuba course---really---you should ask for your money back. It is also basic high school science or at least used to be.

The air in the scuba tank is compressed air. The physics of compressing air removes all moisture from the air. This results in many people experiencing a very dry mouth/throat and modern plastic regulators make it worse. You will learn to deal with it.

Good luck.

N

Nemrod,

I learned a lot in my class and do remember most of it, but don't you remember when you went to school reading about life and BOOM, you experienced it? Same here, I am talking, learning and experiencing.

From what I was learning from my LDS was metal regs do not make your mouth as dry, but I kind of remember them saying something about the mouth piece. I guess I'll need to ask them again. Kind of wish I was able to try the ones I wanted before buying. When you take the coarse, they give you the crappy ones.... Not the ones I wanted to buy... I'll have more!

 

[Nemrod]

I doubt the mouthpiece is the reason your throat is sore. You can try some different types but the air will still be dry. The type with the bridge are quite common in use. As I said before, good luck, it is a learning process.

It is fun, that is why we do it.

N

 

[GFuterfas]

I have no experience with them, but I've seen the Sherwood Oasis regulator which is supposed to fix the moisture problem and also the Apollo Bio Filter which goes inline of your regulator hose. Anyone have an opinion on if these work? If the dry mouth really bothers you, maybe there are options (could be gimmicks) out there.

Thanks,
-Graham