Buoyancy / Breathing Question

[srownin]

Hey all,

I have been diving for about 5 years and have become fairly proficient at controlling my buoyancy by varying my breathing patterns once I have gotten to neutral with my BC.

My issue lately is that my breathing almost seems to be too effective. If I maintain a nice relaxed pace and breath a comfortable amount of air (not too deep, but certainly not shallow) I end up ascending and descending more than I would like with each breath.

Aside from just breathing more shallow, does anyone have any thoughts on how to reduce this effect?

Thanks,
Scott

 

[Hank49]

The affect is much greater at shallow depths, like safety stop depth. How deep are you diving?

 

[TwoBitTxn]

You state that you are ascending and descending too much with each breath. How much is that?

If I understand your question, you can't reduce the effect of each breath unless you change the volume/duration of each breath. Or switch to a rebreather...

TwoBit

 

[Charlie99]

If you breathe very slowly and deeply, then you'll go up and down a bit. In my case a foot or 2 when at 30 pr 40' depth.

I just ignore it when midwater, and take advantage of the effect other times.

 

[rockjock3]

Yea, how much are you considering too much and at what depths are you talking? I really don't move much at all when below about 100fsw (unless I aim to), but as my deco stops near the surface I have to pay closer attention and alter my breathing a little to reduce the bouyancy shift.

 

[spectrum]

Aside from just breathing more shallow, does anyone have any thoughts on how to reduce this effect?

Thanks,
Scott

You can look at modifying the speed at which you move air during these breaths while keeping essentially the same pace.

As you complete an exhalation and just before the change takes effect you can draw part of your breath quickly and then finish the inhalation very slowly. Likewise just before your displacement change causes you to rise you can do a partial exhale quickly and then slowly finish emptying your lungs. This way you can keep your average buoyancy closer to neutral. Some amount of porpoising is OK.

With a nice slow breathing style you will find that when doing precision stuff you will be managing you breath for buoyancy manipulation as much as for respiration. Just do whatever is most important at the time.

Pete

 

[Garrobo]

Got the same problem. Thanks for the input posters.

 

[Oriskany Divemaster]

A twitch of the foot will keep you even on exhaltion. As you dive more, you use more muscles that perform different tasks in water than on land.

 

[nereas]

My DPV counteracts this problem nicely.

 

[Lock Down]

I have this issue also but I usually just ignore it or at other times take advantage of it. but I do believe that what spectrum said is fairly accurate as long as you don't hyperventilate yourself. either this or a few flutters of the ol' fins takes care of the issue though.