What do you call this???

[boney]

While diving over the long-weekend I buddied up with someone I've never dove with before. I was surprised at his air consumption as it was really low. I still consider myself a newbie but I went through 2000PSI during one dive while he went through around 1000PSI. He was surprised at how much air I was suckin' back and he said he uses this little "trick".
According to him, at the end of each exhale don't breath for 2 seconds. I kinda questioned him and said is that skip breathing? He replied right away with a no. At the end of the first dive I threw on another tank and he was still using his first and we went out for a quick one for around 20 minutes... at the end of the 2nd dive he kinda complained about getting a headache... (I think it sounds like its due to his breathing technique).
So what is this called? Is this a "standard trick" or should this not be attempted at all?

Thanks!!!

 

[sharkbaitDAN]

That's called skip breathing. The headache is due to a build up of CO2. You should never do it, and if this buddy ever has a problem, the habit of holding his breath could make any situation worse.

 

[Rick Inman]

While diving over the long-weekend I buddied up with someone I've never dove with before. I was surprised at his air consumption as it was really low. I still consider myself a newbie but I went through 2000PSI during one dive while he went through around 1000PSI. He was surprised at how much air I was suckin' back and he said he uses this little "trick".
According to him, at the end of each exhale don't breath for 2 seconds. I kinda questioned him and said is that skip breathing? He replied right away with a no. At the end of the first dive I threw on another tank and he was still using his first and we went out for a quick one for around 20 minutes... at the end of the 2nd dive he kinda complained about getting a headache... (I think it sounds like its due to his breathing technique).
So what is this called? Is this a "standard trick" or should this not be attempted at all?

Thanks!!!

I don't have the best - or the worst -air consumption. I dived with Bob & Tony yesterday. At the end of dive one, Bob had 200psi (95cf tank), I had 900 (95cf) and Tony had 1200 (72cf). "HA!" I told Tony. "We beat you and used up our air first! That's just 'cause you aren't as experienced as me and you breath like a little girl."
Actually, good diving skills are the most important factor in adjusting your own air consumption. Good buoyancy skills, trim, proper weighting, streamlined profile and a relaxed technique, IMO, are the keys (I'm still working on all of these). And then, just breath normally, relaxed and easy. I, personally, wouldn't skip breathe. Nice easy shallow breathing is best IMO. Then, you can adjust buoyancy with depth of breath as well. AVOID SO-CALLED "TRICKS". Possible C02 buildup, breath holding, etc.
You might do a search on SAC Rate.

 

[artdive]

never hold your breath, its co2 build up, and that can also be a problem with N2 narcosis depending on how deep are you diving.

just breath normal, if you need more air just get another tank.

 

[Jim Baldwin]

Boney,

I have heard of people holding their breath or pausing thinking that they were using less air. As the other guys have said this is skip breathing and it will result in headaches or actually more air consumption because you eventually feel air deprived.

In Open Water class your instructor told you to breathe and never hold your breath. I wish I had a dollar for every student that I have seen or heard saying that they couldn't get enough air or there was something wrong with their regulator.

They're either breathing shallow or they're forgetting to exhale fully. Either way the CO2 builds up and they feel like they're not getting enough air.

The truth is that their lungs are full and they're forgetting to exhale fully.

By completely filling your lungs like you're about to blow up a balloon you will get your lungs filled with air. Immediately begin a long slow exhalation that may last 10 to 20 seconds. Use your diaphram and stomach muscles to help empty your lungs and you will get rid of the dead air and CO2 buildup. Take another very full inhalation and begin the process over again.

I teach this to Advanced Open Water students who are starting to fine tune their diving skills. We teach this same technique in Open Water but there is so much going on in the learning curve that most forget.

Remember that the more you dive the more relaxed you will become which will result in less weight being used to go down, less wasted motion and ultimately less air being used.

Just my experiences

Jim Baldwin

 

[Mako Mark]

As long as you have enough air in your tank to do the dive you planned, dont let other peoples air consumption bother you. Some people just use less, women in general use less than men, big people more than little fit people less than unfit... etc etc.

If you find that your tank does not hold enough for you to complete the type of dive you want to do, get a bigger tank....the main thing though is to relac and calm down during the dive, particularly the beginning.

 

[Coogeeman]

And dive as often as you can...

I dive with a buddy who always comes complains that he goes through his air faster than I do but the fact is he has only done 25 dives!! I keep telling him dive more often and you will get better and you know what? He will....

Coogeeman :dazzler1:

 

[boney]

That's what I thought too...
Thanks for the confirming info!!!

 

[murphdivers286]

I was suckin down 80 cf at 3100 psi in about 25 -30 mins at 60 feet. Back on the boat with about 500 psi.

Just a tip that helped me. I do breathing exercises before every dive. I start by breathing in, with my mouth shaped like I'm breathing through a straw, for 8-10 seconds then breath out the same way for 10-12 seconds. I repeat the process increasing the seconds by 1-2 seconds each time until I breath in for 18-20 seconds and out for 20-24 seconds. It expands my lungs, and helps me fill my lungs better at depth.

At depth, I take deep breaths in and try to make small bubbles breathing out COMPLETELY!!

My last dive at 80 ft - started with 3000, bottom time was 45 mins. Back on the boat with 1000 psi. Yes, I did my 3-5 mins at 15 feet. I know this will not break any records, but it sure is better than were I started. I'm working on getter better.

 

[Wildcard]

I have seen half a dozen things called "skip breathing". Fire service teaches full breath, half out, hold, rest out. I like to take 3/4 breath wait a couple secs top it off, then puf puff puff it out to make the most of the dead air space used in the trachea.