Newbie needs help with breathing.

[Nilzlofgren]

Hello everyone, I just started my diving lessons, and my very first time ever in scuba gear was this past Tuesday. The class started out great, two hours in the classroom, and two in the pool. Everything was fine, until I submerged. With my mask on, and the regulator in my mouth I was fine above the water. When I attempted to kneel on the bottom of the pool for the first time, I freaked. Couldn't get my breathing right. I was taking very rapid, shallow breaths, in, out, in, out, in, out, etc. I had to stand up and get the regulator out of my mouth. I felt like a fool, because everybody else was still on the bottom. Another instructor pulled me aside, and worked with me separately. He was really great though. Said he would help me through it at my pace. One thing I've noticed though, I that when I submerge, I suck in a deep breath of air, as if I'm diving into a pool. For some reason, I cant grasp the concept of a normal breathing cycle as I break the plane of the water. I don't want to give this up. Is this normal for some newbies? Can this problem be overcome, so I can enjoy this hobby? Any tips, hints, help? Thanks to all who listened to my rant.

 

[BKP]

Hello everyone, I just started my diving lessons, and my very first time ever in scuba gear was this past Tuesday. The class started out great, two hours in the classroom, and two in the pool. Everything was fine, until I submerged. With my mask on, and the regulator in my mouth I was fine above the water. When I attempted to kneel on the bottom of the pool for the first time, I freaked. Couldn't get my breathing right. I was taking very rapid, shallow breaths, in, out, in, out, in, out, etc. I had to stand up and get the regulator out of my mouth. I felt like a fool, because everybody else was still on the bottom. Another instructor pulled me aside, and worked with me separately. He was really great though. Said he would help me through it at my pace. One thing I've noticed though, I that when I submerge, I suck in a deep breath of air, as if I'm diving into a pool. For some reason, I cant grasp the concept of a normal breathing cycle as I break the plane of the water. I don't want to give this up. Is this normal for some newbies? Can this problem be overcome, so I can enjoy this hobby? Any tips, hints, help? Thanks to all who listened to my rant.

Not as uncommon as you may think...

Taking a breath underwater is *NOT* a natural act. Your body sometimes protests, and it manifests in different ways: fast breathing, ultra deep breathing, etc. Most is just related to anxiousness, and lack of familiarity with the new sensation of breathing underwater.

Sounds like you've landed a good instructor, willing to work with you at your pace...

Just a matter of becoming comfortable with the feeling. Hang on to the ladder, or stay near the stairs in the pool... submerge just enough to cover your mask. Pull yourself above the waterline if you get anxious, then submerge again... just barely...

You'll grow more comfortable with repetition...

This accounts for the same reason experienced divers have better SAC rates (surface air consumption) than their newbie counterparts... Just a matter of comfort level, which comes in time, with repetition...

Best of luck with your diving... and welcome to the board...

 

[Tomikp]

I think this is normal for people who have their first dive. Be patient, try to enjoy your dives slowly and leisurely. As you gain more experiences, your breath will be still easier. Don't hurry.

 

[ligersandtions]

Breathing underwater is not natural for us. You're playing mind games with yourself right now....you get underwater and your brain tells you that you need to hold your breath (because you don't have gills after all). Now, instead of being the one that having the games played on, you need to play some games with your brain. Walk yourself through the steps: breathe in and out, slowly submerge underwater and continue to breathe in and out at a "natural" rate. Keep talking yourself through it....it will become natural at some point and you won't have to keep reminding yourself.

Whatever you do, don't give up without a fight! I'm sure you can get through this, and once you're able to go down and check out the cool sights underwater, you will be really glad you won this battle!

 

[spectrum]

It's not uncommon at all.

There are a number of things in play when you go to breathe underwater with scuba gear and initially it can be much more than just breathing normally. You have spent your life being conditioned not to breathe with your face in the water since you will drown. On top of that you have always been free to breathe orally or nasally at your discretion, now it's all oral and that can throw you off. I would suggest beginning with some mask and snorkel time. you can read more on this here.

The good news is that with a little patience you can certainly get past this. You need to desensitize your mind to this automatic impulse to reject the situation.

When you do get back in the pool, try to get belly down in the shallow end. In a horizontal position the regulator will breathe more naturally. See if you can just lay down there breathing for 15 minutes watching your fingers wrinkle. Don't rush this phase because it will pay off down the road. The mask clear skill may challenge you in a similar way and there are similar ways around that if it proves to be a problem.

Pete

 

[dwhthediver]

Entirely natural, you are experiencing what a lot of new divers experience, you are breathing underwater when your brain tells you it can't be done. I agree with a couple of earlier posts, you have a good instructor who is patient and helpful and will get you through this at your pace. concentrate on your breathing, if counting helps, breathe in while counting to 5, then breathe out counting to 5, soon you will be conditioned, and will no longer have to count. I see this a lot in the pool, not unusual, and tell new students when I sit them in the pool, think this and count, in my mouth 1,2,3,4,5, out my mouth 1,2,3,4,5. It seems to help them get comfortable

 

[WartedEmperor]

The more experience you get breathing underwater the more natural and easy it will become for you. Just give it time and you will have the breathing down in no time.

Scuba Diving will open 2/3 of the world for you and you will see all you have been missing.

 

[Trimix2dive]

Hello everyone, I just started my diving lessons, and my very first time ever in scuba gear was this past Tuesday. The class started out great, two hours in the classroom, and two in the pool. Everything was fine, until I submerged. With my mask on, and the regulator in my mouth I was fine above the water. When I attempted to kneel on the bottom of the pool for the first time, I freaked. Couldn't get my breathing right. I was taking very rapid, shallow breaths, in, out, in, out, in, out, etc. I had to stand up and get the regulator out of my mouth. I felt like a fool, because everybody else was still on the bottom. Another instructor pulled me aside, and worked with me separately. He was really great though. Said he would help me through it at my pace. One thing I've noticed though, I that when I submerge, I suck in a deep breath of air, as if I'm diving into a pool. For some reason, I cant grasp the concept of a normal breathing cycle as I break the plane of the water. I don't want to give this up. Is this normal for some newbies? Can this problem be overcome, so I can enjoy this hobby? Any tips, hints, help? Thanks to all who listened to my rant.

Relax. Time and practice will solve the problem. I do like the 1,2,3,4,5 thing mentioned above. That has worked for others in the past.

 

[a.Meere.diver]

It's funny, because I noticed the same type of thing. I didn't have much problem breathing, but felt like I really had to push out my breath. Taking a breath wasn't bad, but it felt like I was REALLY working hard to exhale. I am sure that what everyone has offered is correct. Time will heal and for me the thought of exploring everything underwater is enough motivation to stick with it

 

[Beachlover]

Stick with it, you'll be happy that you did. I speak from personal experience that sounds much like what you are going through. When I was getting my o/w cert. with a good friend of mine, he took to breathing underwater like it was second nature to him, NOT the case for me. I put my reg in my mouth, kneeled down in the three feet end of the pool and could only manage a breath or two and HAD to stand up right away. I got so pissed at myself that I threw my mask across the pool in frustration, not good. Meanwhile my buddy was swimming around the pool like a fish. I think that I psyched myself out so much about breathing underwater and how unnatural it was for me to be doing. I made myself stay down and get past two breaths and once I did this I began to relax and realize that I was ok and not going to drown.It took me 15 minutes or so and SEVERAL attempts to accomplish this goal. I can say that ten years later and almost 600 dives that I am SO happy that I stuck it out. Diving is so relaxing and beautiful! Good luck to you!