SCUBA diving rules like "Don't hold your breath" are created more for the simplicity of explaining them, not because they are 100% correct.
I have argument with bosses at work over broadly worded rules, because we both have different interpretations of it (and having a stupid fat slob for a boss doesn't help).
For a novice diver that has just got their scuba ticket, abiding to the rule is generally a must, but as always its not about following the rule exactly, its more about understanding why it was created in the first place.
Now, I won't strictly condone breaking the golden rule, however if you have an experienced, healthy diver that is doing small "breath pauses" for photography, then I think its okay. If you had a newbie diver doing the same thing to try and increase their bottom time, then I'd give them a lecture on how peoples lungs can explode....
The important thing with safety procedures, isn't just following them, but its reducing the complacency that people get when they have to do the same stuff over and over.
