Is there *ever* an appropriate time to hold your breath when scuba diving?
Posted on Sep 03, 2009 under Scuba Regulator | 3 CommentsDisclaimer: Please read the whole question below before responding. I am not (1) an idiot; (2) a daredevil; (3) suicidal, and I FULLY AND COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND the dangers of ASCENDING while holding your breath (burst lung, embolism, etc.)
Of course when you first go through certification, you are taught the #1 rule of scuba diving: never hold your breath.
As an example, when you practice regulator recovery (sweep and reach methods) you are supposed to breathe out a small stream of bubbles, even though you’ve lost your air source.
A question that dawned on me _after_ I was certified is: would it be dangerous to hold your breath when out of air or recovering your regulator as long as you don’t ascend? Or are there other dangers involved?
I wonder if it’s just a bad habit to never get into in case you are ascending without realizing it (even when out of air) or are there other reasons?
Thanks!
Another reason not to hold your breath when breathing off a SCUBA system is that when a wave passes over the depth you are at gets deeper. After the wave passes you are now at a shallower depth because there is less water over you, even if you don’t move. Since the air you drew in off the SCUBA system is pressurized to the last depth you were at, you run the risk of over expanding the little sacks in your lungs.
It is taught in SCUBA class to blow tiny bubbles in case you change your level in the water without knowing it, and or you panic and try to swim to the surface.
Which scuba diving regulators mouthpiece are more suitable for asian?
September 4th, 2009 at 2:23 am
I think you should only hold you breath if you are in trouble and your air tank has like broken. Then, take it off and hold your breath as you swim to the surface.
References :
September 4th, 2009 at 3:12 am
You shouldn’t hold your breath at any time, even when you are not ascending, this is why:
You usually get into a neutral position in which you don’t float, or you don’t sink, you just mantain your position by breathing normally. When you hold your breath theres more air inside of you and your floatability becomes positive, then that air starts expanding quickly and before you know you are going really fast to the surface and your lungs are exploded.
So you should never hold your breath, not even when you are not planning to ascend.
References :
Open Water Padi Diver
September 4th, 2009 at 3:18 am
Another reason not to hold your breath when breathing off a SCUBA system is that when a wave passes over the depth you are at gets deeper. After the wave passes you are now at a shallower depth because there is less water over you, even if you don’t move. Since the air you drew in off the SCUBA system is pressurized to the last depth you were at, you run the risk of over expanding the little sacks in your lungs.
It is taught in SCUBA class to blow tiny bubbles in case you change your level in the water without knowing it, and or you panic and try to swim to the surface.
References :
PADI Divemaster and Commercial Diver