ianr33, I have updated my profile. Could not figure out the picture part. Just think of an old fat guy holding a fat black grouper.
What triggered this post was the same thing that trigger the last one. Going on a tourist type dive charter and watching people struggle with breathing. I helped two divers back to the boat on first drop a couple of weeks back. One had a free flowing air 2 which drained too much air to continue before it was stopped, iced the first stage. The second diver was puffed up, breathing shallow and near panic mode. I helped them while the dive master continued on with the main group, then I caught up.
After the dive I talked to the shallow breather about breathing normally and he was able to do the second dive. In fact he had more air left with an 80 than some divers with 100's. He remember being told to breathe normally in class but did not know exactly what that meant. You can tell someone to just relax but they can't until they fix their breathing. If you tell them exhale and not puff up then they can relax.
Normal breathing is the PADI way. There seems to be a logic backing it that the human body tends to conserve energy. You normally just breathe what you need and nothing more. You expend extra energy when you fully inflate your lungs so you don't do it unless needed. In short, your naturally lazy and it is a good thing.
I just assumed that since my PADI course teaches breathing normally that all agencies did the same. Obviously I was wrong and people should breathe like they were taught in class by certified instructors. I am always open to new ways to improve my diving and would love to learn about other breathing methods.
Barry
