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#538
 First and most important rule in scuba...
jshoemaker_1 - 9/18/2012 5:35 AM
Category: Health & Safety
Replies: 5
I was reading a Dive Training article yesterday about Your scuba IQ. The first question was, "What is the most important rule in scuba?" I had an experience in the pool just after my certification that allowed me to answer this without pause. Breathe continuously and never hold your breath.


Of course the reasoning being that air contracts as you go deeper and expands as your depth decreases making a breathe hold on any accent a very quick and easy way to get an over-expanded lung or even an embolism.



Here is my question:



1. Lets say that I just came over a structure and I want to get back down to the bottom (10ft or so). Would there be any possible harm from exhaling all or some of my air and holding that until I reach my destination below?
#21070
LatitudeAdjustment - 9/18/2012 7:21 AM
"1. Lets say that I just came over a structure and I want to get back down to the bottom (10ft or so). Would there be any possible harm from exhaling all or some of my air and holding that until I reach my destination below? "

You can exhale and inhale to change depth unless you are using a rebreather, I do it all the time, the trick is to keep the airway open so you are not really "holding your breath", just controlling lung volume. Shallow breathing to sink, big breaths without exhaling all of the way to go up. Stop breathing when taking pictures, don’t breath if I’m taking your picture :)

Never ever close down your throat except to clear your ears.
#12605
Eric_R - 9/18/2012 7:59 AM
The real problem is holding your breath if ascending.:)
#627
h2odragon1 - 9/18/2012 8:16 AM
Descending can be just as difficult!

If you are holding your breath on descent, the increased pressure could be uncomfortable!

As LatitudeAdjustment said slow stead reathing is your safest way to descend!

Count to ten while exhaleing, and 5 while inhaleing. Then the reverse on ascent!
#5471
DiveBuddyChgo - 11/07/2012 5:42 PM
If you put a marshmellow in a ballon. Added just tiny bit of air. Take it with you on a dive to 10ft. What do you think would happen to the marshmellow. The same that would happen to the soft tissue in your lungs.