holding breath on scuba

[H2Andy]

It sounds like my shallowing breathing may be the problem but it is natural for me. Do i need to practice deeper breaths?

well... sounds like you are breathing a bit shallow, but i'd like to see what others think.

just remember, what is natural breathing at the surface is far from "natural" (or adequate) when breathing compressed gas under pressure at depth.

we have to change a lot about how we do things when we are underwater,
and breathing is really no different.

you may want to think about changing your underwater breathing habits and see if that takes care of the headaches.

 

[String]

I fell into this trap and now avoid it.

Never had that issue. 90% of what i photographs tends to sit on the bottom or on a rock/ledge. Depth changes tend to be noticed by changes in the angle when seen through the viewfinder.

 

[FatCat]

H2Andy's the first to get it right.

Actually the correct breathing rhythm is :

inhale
short pause
exhale
short pause

This is the traditional four beat breathing technique that is taught in yoga and in any serious martial arts class. These classes will also teach you how to pause your breathing without closing your glottis. For those who don't exactly know how a closed glottis feels: it's that pinchy, strangly feeling you get while trying not to breathe. Furthermore, you'll also learn to breathe while using your diaphragm, which will automatically regulate your breathing rhythm even while performing physical activity.

One of the most basic breathing exercises is to pause your breathing and then have someone push down rather sharply on your stomach. Breath should escape your lungs easily if your glottis is relaxed.

As for gas exchange: as long as O2 is absorbed, CO2 will be execreted. As long as the breathing reflex isn't triggered, your CO2 build-up is within normal limits, since it's the CO2 build-up that triggers the breathing reflex. That is provided you didn't hyperventilate.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I have a question related to this. I do not consider my breathing technique to be "holding my breath" but I am a very shallow breather. I can easily get 1 1/2 hours out of an 80 cu ft tank.

however, sometimes i get really sleepy and/or headaches 3 or 4 hours after diving. what gives? am i breathing to slowly/shallow? from the time i take in the breath until the time i exhale the breath is 8 to 10 seconds. But this feels natural to me. If i breath deeper or quicker I tend to get dizzy from too much air.

It sounds like my shallowing breathing may be the problem but it is natural for me. Do i need to practice deeper breaths?

These sound like symptoms of CO2 retention ... but if it's chronic I'd recommend you consider seeing a doctor (preferably one who's familiar with diving maladies).

One thing you could try first is a deeper breathing cycle ... 8 to 10 seconds per breath is normal, but it's possible that you are not breathing deeply enough to allow an adequate gas exchange. If the symptoms disappear, you've found the culprit.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

H2Andy's the first to get it right.

Actually, he's the second ... but at least he got it right ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[jbd]

The only reason I see for not holding your breath is that on the way up the air expands and can cause an embolism. QUOTE]

Embolism is only one problem from breath holding while on scuba. What is more likely to happen is an overexpansion injury to the lung which may result in a pnuemothorax without concurrent AGE.

Also I noted that you are OK with moving your hands and or feet while trying to get close to fish. This is counterproductive--fish have what is known as lateral lines on their bodies that sense pressure changes in the water that are created by motion. This is part of their survival system to protect them from predators. Every move you make is sending them a warning which causes them to move away from you. Learn and perfect the ability to hover motionlessly if you want to get close for pictures or spearing.

 

[SubMariner]

However, you may find that if you exhale very slowly through your nose/mask, the bubbles are more diffused and don't make quite as much noise as if you do a regular exhale through your reg.

Sounds silly, but I've used that technique in conjuction with remaining motionless (or moving in very small, slow increments) to get close to critters.

 

[Kim]

Furthermore, you'll also learn to breathe while using your diaphragm, which will automatically regulate your breathing rhythm even while performing physical activity.

It took a long time for someone to mention that!

 

[Ann Marie]

Actually the correct breathing rhythm is :

inhale
short pause
exhale
short pause

This is the traditional four beat breathing technique that is taught in yoga and in any serious martial arts class.

I do the same type of breathing while I do yoga that I do while diving, except while diving I don't inhale through my nose and exhale out my mouth I hadn't thought about it until you mentioned it...cool

 

[lostinspace]

guess no-one trained as a classical singer then?! nor played a wind instrument?!

an alternative technique is a very sharp and wide and deep breath using the side of the lungs and the diaphragm and a very slow gentle release of air and bubbles. You remain level throughout. However, you do need a very responsive set of lungs to do this though and you need to practice.