Ulfhedinn
-Skill Collector-
I am not sure how to approach this with her more then simply saying make sure to breath. She is scared she might hold her breath and blow a lung. Any ideas?
Wife worried about holding breath...
- Thread starter Ulfhedinn
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DevonDiver
N/A
Does she often have a problem with forgetting to breath when not diving? 
Reassure her that is a very human and very instinctive/unconsious action. The only real time when holding your breath becomes an instinct is when the regulator is not in the mouth and/or there is no air supply from the regulator. Training and practice takes care of that.
Reassure her that is a very human and very instinctive/unconsious action. The only real time when holding your breath becomes an instinct is when the regulator is not in the mouth and/or there is no air supply from the regulator. Training and practice takes care of that.
soltari675
Contributor
Tell her to start shallow. Just a few feet of water where holding your breath is not as scary. She will see how natural it is to breath and how unlikely it is that she will hold her breath. If she is concerned about going deeper, tell her to watch the bubbles. If there aren't any, there is a problem. But I think it will be obvious if she holds her breath. We have a natural need to do it.
I have to agree that perhaps something else is bothering her. That she needs to be more comfortable.
I have to agree that perhaps something else is bothering her. That she needs to be more comfortable.
I have to say as a brand new student myself (two classes out of five done), I find the sound of my breathing very comforting and soothing. Maybe your wife will feel the same way. The slower and deeper I breathe, the more relaxed I get. Something very soothing about it.
Good luck!
Good luck!
SeaHorse81
Contributor
I think that the risk of forgetting to breathe sometimes is a very real one, especially for a beginner diver. Awareness and practice will take care of the issue as long as, as others have suggested, it isn't actually a different concern that she has.
I watched along on an AOW class just today and as the students were practicing buddy breathing, I noticed that one of them was not exhaling at all when her partner had the reg. She was focused on the exercise and not thinking about her breathing, so she held her breath. Had they been doing this midwater, she might just as easily have lost track of her depth a bit at the same time and unknowingly ascended a few feet while holding her breath because she was focusing on a very specific task to the exclusion of all else, as new students tend to do.
It's just practice in controlled environments until it comes more naturally, and it will.
I watched along on an AOW class just today and as the students were practicing buddy breathing, I noticed that one of them was not exhaling at all when her partner had the reg. She was focused on the exercise and not thinking about her breathing, so she held her breath. Had they been doing this midwater, she might just as easily have lost track of her depth a bit at the same time and unknowingly ascended a few feet while holding her breath because she was focusing on a very specific task to the exclusion of all else, as new students tend to do.
It's just practice in controlled environments until it comes more naturally, and it will.
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When it comes to the psychology! as in children when you tell them to not do something they act on it. With adults when you tell them is dangerous they get scared. It affects other more than some.
As long as she's healthy! The issue over comes itself once they get in to the water. As one breaths above surface, is the same underwater.
The approach of some information requires delicacy and diligent.
Show her the fun that's in diving! the passion of it all. Keep it fun and entertaining.., Have Fun!!!
As long as she's healthy! The issue over comes itself once they get in to the water. As one breaths above surface, is the same underwater.
The approach of some information requires delicacy and diligent.
Show her the fun that's in diving! the passion of it all. Keep it fun and entertaining.., Have Fun!!!
OP
Ulfhedinn
-Skill Collector-
Well there is that unnatural fear of sharks 
I took here to a "discover scuba" and when the instructor mentioned this point her face went white and she looked at me like I was taking here to her doom. Then she discussed it with me and the instructor afterwards.
Im going to share this post with here so thanks and keep them coming.
I took here to a "discover scuba" and when the instructor mentioned this point her face went white and she looked at me like I was taking here to her doom. Then she discussed it with me and the instructor afterwards.
Im going to share this post with here so thanks and keep them coming.
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Whether she is involved in a Discover Scuba Diving or an Open Water course, her instructor should emphasize and enforce continuous breathing throughout the training through verbal explanation and skill demonstration.
New students will generally over-breathe when the regulator is in their mouth. They inhale rapidly and deeply but only exhale a portion of the air they inhale. This causes the lungs to be constantly full of air and leads, in part, to the uncontrolled sudden float up experienced by most new divers.
When the regulator is removed during skills, some students do tend to want to hold their breath. This is when the instructor re-emphasizes the blowing of bubbles when the regulator is removed and has the student repeat the skill correctly.
Along with this, the instructor should be able to gage the students level of comfort and likelihood of a panic incident and adjust his level of control accordingly. The progressive training system along with instructor experience and discretion is quite effective at keeping students safe. Recreational diving safety statistics speak for themselves.
New students will generally over-breathe when the regulator is in their mouth. They inhale rapidly and deeply but only exhale a portion of the air they inhale. This causes the lungs to be constantly full of air and leads, in part, to the uncontrolled sudden float up experienced by most new divers.
When the regulator is removed during skills, some students do tend to want to hold their breath. This is when the instructor re-emphasizes the blowing of bubbles when the regulator is removed and has the student repeat the skill correctly.
Along with this, the instructor should be able to gage the students level of comfort and likelihood of a panic incident and adjust his level of control accordingly. The progressive training system along with instructor experience and discretion is quite effective at keeping students safe. Recreational diving safety statistics speak for themselves.
Ahhh, so in a compressed DD briefing the instructor put the fear of God in her to keep breathing / not hold her breath.
Pausing one's breath and holding are 2 different things and that's not a distinction that a briefing allows for hence the keep breathing or die message.
I agree she should move forward with time in the water. Truly holding one's breath is a pretty defined and largely unnatural action while diving. A pause (open glotis) in breathing is not a dangerous breath hold. If she just makes it a point to breathe naturally with a steady rhythm she will be fine and other techniques will come in time.
Breath holding is only really a problem if ascending while doing so. Not to belittle the risk, bad things can happen in 4, maybe fewer feet of ascent with held breath.
Alternate message: All us other mere mortals can do it so come join the fun.
Pete
Pausing one's breath and holding are 2 different things and that's not a distinction that a briefing allows for hence the keep breathing or die message.
I agree she should move forward with time in the water. Truly holding one's breath is a pretty defined and largely unnatural action while diving. A pause (open glotis) in breathing is not a dangerous breath hold. If she just makes it a point to breathe naturally with a steady rhythm she will be fine and other techniques will come in time.
Breath holding is only really a problem if ascending while doing so. Not to belittle the risk, bad things can happen in 4, maybe fewer feet of ascent with held breath.
Alternate message: All us other mere mortals can do it so come join the fun.
Pete
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