27 replies to this topic

[Marvel]

So funny that you should post this very informative article when breathing was the main focus of my dive last night- not looking for critters, not covering as much of the reef as possible, but just slow steady, diaphram-based breathing...very Zen-like. :anna:

[oatmeal769]

To me, breathing parameter is one of the core esscences of diving, everything hinges upon it, and it's importance cannot be overstated. It's also why I tell people that perhaps the most useful scuba class I ever took wasn't a scuba class at all.

Performance Freediving does a very intense 4 day seminar for freedivers, and anyone interested in breath hold diving. To be able to literally add a full minute onto my longest breath hold record in just the first day was incredible. The techniques and excercises I learned vastly influenced all of my aquatic pursuits. It's brilliant!

[nextariel]

ZD - When lifting do you get more benefit if you are breathing deeply?

[CuriousMe]

Breathing from my diaphragm has definitely helped my diving. I was fortunate to grow up playing trumpet (and other assorted brass instruments) in this crazy thing called Drum Corps. So basically, we were playing complicated music on brass instruments while jazz running across a football field for a 13 minute show. (yeah, I was a weird kid). This meant I spent years doing breathing exercises, both to control the lung volume we had but also we were constantly doing exercises to increase our lung volume.

In turned out to be a great thing for my diving, I automatically started diaphragmatic breathing underwater. My only problem in the beginning was that my breathing was to slow and controlled (well they said deep, slow breaths....so that's what I did). I was getting wicked, bad C02 headaches for the first 10 or so dives before I figured it out. I had to consciously speed up my breathing a bit. I haven't had that problem since then.

Peace,
Cathie

[Marvel]

Breathing from my diaphragm has definitely helped my diving. I was fortunate to grow up playing trumpet (and other assorted brass instruments) in this crazy thing called Drum Corps. So basically, we were playing complicated music on brass instruments while jazz running across a football field for a 13 minute show. (yeah, I was a weird kid). This meant I spent years doing breathing exercises, both to control the lung volume we had but also we were constantly doing exercises to increase our lung volume.

In turned out to be a great thing for my diving, I automatically started diaphragmatic breathing underwater. My only problem in the beginning was that my breathing was to slow and controlled (well they said deep, slow breaths....so that's what I did). I was getting wicked, bad C02 headaches for the first 10 or so dives before I figured it out. I had to consciously speed up my breathing a bit. I haven't had that problem since then.

Peace,
Cathie

Aha! Another band geek! Plus, I was in chorus. Breathing is definitely critical & that kind of background is very useful for diving. Add a few years of martial arts, cycling, & even competative pool to make me more aware of breathing. As soon as my anxiety level goes up, I immediately try to focus on my breathing & slowing it down because, for me, my breathing is about the first sign that I am not happy with something- I often notice a change in breathing before conciously recognizing that something is wrong.

[zendiver]

ZD - When lifting do you get more benefit if you are breathing deeply?

Not really sure dear, I have never tried breathing deeply while lifting. I honestly don't feel that it would benefit you in any way. While lifting, I follow the following rules:

Pushing movements: Exhale as you thrust and inhale during the negative part of the movement.

Pulling exercises:, Is just the opposite: exhale on the pull. Just remember to exhale on the exertion, pushing all your breath out from deep down, much like in karate when you go to strike an opponent." The one exception to this rule are exercises that have a very slow movement and don't call for much energy. "For example, "Seated concentration curls. It doesn't matter how you breathe, as long as you don't hold your breath. But anytime you're going to have to spend a lot of energy, anytime you have to grunt to complete the movement - the breathing technique must be correct."

Hope this makes sense.

-ZD

[scubahoney]

Thanks ZD!!!

[Marvel]

ZD - When lifting do you get more benefit if you are breathing deeply?

Not really sure dear, I have never tried breathing deeply while lifting. I honestly don't feel that it would benefit you in any way. While lifting, I follow the following rules:

Pushing movements: Exhale as you thrust and inhale during the negative part of the movement.

Pulling exercises:, Is just the opposite: exhale on the pull. Just remember to exhale on the exertion, pushing all your breath out from deep down, much like in karate when you go to strike an opponent." The one exception to this rule are exercises that have a very slow movement and don't call for much energy. "For example, "Seated concentration curls. It doesn't matter how you breathe, as long as you don't hold your breath. But anytime you're going to have to spend a lot of energy, anytime you have to grunt to complete the movement - the breathing technique must be correct."

Hope this makes sense.

-ZD

Oh it does...it would just take an aweful lot for me to get dragged into a gym again.... Last time it took regular appointments with a personal trainer! If I pay for something, I'm darn well gonna use it! 'Course, I sure did...aw, nevermind- just thinking out loud again.

[nextariel]

Exhale as you thrust....
exhale on the pull...

Got it

Edited by nextariel, 01 June 2004 - 06:48 PM.

[DandyDon]

Diving Nitrox cannot increase the chance for a "divers headache." If anything, the extra O2 should decrease any other headache causes.

The most common causes have already been covered here, but I think the most common is quick, shallow breathing - as you get an increase in CO2 from the increased exposure to "dead air" or used air still in you airway.

BTW, Skip Breathing is not inhaling until you have to do so - a bad practice used by some to try to extend a tank. Deep, regular breathing is best. Pause Breathing is waiting a few second with full lungs before exhaling but with airway open in case of expansion from ascent; this gives more time for osmosis exchange of O2 and CO2 in the lungs, extending the use of a tank fill.

[zendiver]

Exhale as you thrust....
exhale on the pull...

Got it

No no no....nextariel, it changes depending on your movements, whether it be a pushing method or a pulling method.

-ZD

[Blublood]

But anytime you're going to have to spend a lot of energy, you have to grunt to complete the movement
Hope this makes sense.

-ZD

Perfect sense.

[peterbj7]

Sounds like dirty air to me. There's a surprising amount of it around. If it's a place you regularly get air ask to see their current air purity certificate. It should be on the wall somewhere visible. If they can't produce it or if it's not current walk away and never go back.

On breathing technique, take a tip from Tom Mount. He's the head of IANTD and an undisputed diving guru. He actively practices yoga and meditation regularly, and has the most incredibly low air consumption. At well over 60 he is also still an amazing free diver. He regards proper breathng as one of the most important skills a diver has to learn, and one that you never stop learning.