Comments on: Why is it dangerous to hold your breath when scuba diving? http://www.scubagearfinder.com/blog/scuba-diving/why-is-it-dangerous-to-hold-your-breath-when-scuba-diving Scuba diving equipment - everything you need for diving Mon, 06 Sep 2010 23:31:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: steph22 http://www.scubagearfinder.com/blog/scuba-diving/why-is-it-dangerous-to-hold-your-breath-when-scuba-diving/comment-page-1#comment-48 steph22 Sat, 21 Apr 2007 23:45:49 +0000 http://www.scubagearfinder.com/blog/scuba-diving/why-is-it-dangerous-to-hold-your-breath-when-scuba-diving#comment-48 because your lungs could explode<br><b>References : </b><br> because your lungs could explode
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]]> By: I want my ¡OLD! mtv http://www.scubagearfinder.com/blog/scuba-diving/why-is-it-dangerous-to-hold-your-breath-when-scuba-diving/comment-page-1#comment-47 I want my ¡OLD! mtv Sat, 21 Apr 2007 17:51:34 +0000 http://www.scubagearfinder.com/blog/scuba-diving/why-is-it-dangerous-to-hold-your-breath-when-scuba-diving#comment-47 Believe it or not, when you hold your breath in it'll make you lose oxygen faster than blowing out a small stream of bubbles would be in terms of lost oxygen. Your lungs and blood won't absorb as much oxygen since your body is constantly producing carbon dioxide which needs to be expelled from your body constantly. Since CO2 and oxygen are almost exactly alike it's almost impossible to tell the difference between the 2. Also, holding your breath even when you have your regulator in diving is bad since you're messing with your body's normal functions. Messing around with those while diving is just asking for trouble, it's kind of like asking the fuzz for a joint. Your body will start breathing heavier and you might panic leading to possibly losing your regulator and being in serious trouble. Lastly, if you lose your regulator you need to surface quickly (this is why cave diving is extremely risky). You should expell air while rising of course, universal precedure for diving anyways, and once on the surface make sure that you're OK. Any gear that you lost on your ascent can be retrived by others below, your main concern is your own safety in a situation like that.<br><b>References : </b><br> Believe it or not, when you hold your breath in it'll make you lose oxygen faster than blowing out a small stream of bubbles would be in terms of lost oxygen. Your lungs and blood won't absorb as much oxygen since your body is constantly producing carbon dioxide which needs to be expelled from your body constantly. Since CO2 and oxygen are almost exactly alike it's almost impossible to tell the difference between the 2.

Also, holding your breath even when you have your regulator in diving is bad since you're messing with your body's normal functions. Messing around with those while diving is just asking for trouble, it's kind of like asking the fuzz for a joint. Your body will start breathing heavier and you might panic leading to possibly losing your regulator and being in serious trouble.

Lastly, if you lose your regulator you need to surface quickly (this is why cave diving is extremely risky). You should expell air while rising of course, universal precedure for diving anyways, and once on the surface make sure that you're OK. Any gear that you lost on your ascent can be retrived by others below, your main concern is your own safety in a situation like that.
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]]> By: scubabob http://www.scubagearfinder.com/blog/scuba-diving/why-is-it-dangerous-to-hold-your-breath-when-scuba-diving/comment-page-1#comment-46 scubabob Sat, 21 Apr 2007 08:56:56 +0000 http://www.scubagearfinder.com/blog/scuba-diving/why-is-it-dangerous-to-hold-your-breath-when-scuba-diving#comment-46 It's just a bad habit to get into that you might do on ascent is all and it's the primary reason why they tell you never to do it. If you're conditioned to never hold your breath, chances are, you won't be doing it when it's really important, like an emergency swimming ascent. Don't get me wrong, tons of divers do do it, it's called skip breathing. It's a way to wrangle a little more TBT out of your tank by reducing your gas consumption a bit. PADI and the rest don't want you skipping because that could lead you to believe it was ok to do it. It's not really and for the reason I mentioned above. Mental conditioning.<br><b>References : </b><br>unrestricted surface supplied commercial diver, IANTD techie, chamber op, gas blender It's just a bad habit to get into that you might do on ascent is all and it's the primary reason why they tell you never to do it. If you're conditioned to never hold your breath, chances are, you won't be doing it when it's really important, like an emergency swimming ascent. Don't get me wrong, tons of divers do do it, it's called skip breathing. It's a way to wrangle a little more TBT out of your tank by reducing your gas consumption a bit. PADI and the rest don't want you skipping because that could lead you to believe it was ok to do it. It's not really and for the reason I mentioned above. Mental conditioning.
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unrestricted surface supplied commercial diver, IANTD techie, chamber op, gas blender

]]> By: bpshark74 http://www.scubagearfinder.com/blog/scuba-diving/why-is-it-dangerous-to-hold-your-breath-when-scuba-diving/comment-page-1#comment-45 bpshark74 Thu, 19 Apr 2007 03:57:14 +0000 http://www.scubagearfinder.com/blog/scuba-diving/why-is-it-dangerous-to-hold-your-breath-when-scuba-diving#comment-45 Actually you should not ascend while holding your breath for the reasons you yourself stated before. But it is easier to train and make a habit of exhaling at all times that way you are sure your airway is open while ascending. If you start holding your breath you might do it and ascend by mistake suffering and injury. Also when you inhale you become more bouyant so if you hold your breath at that moment you will likely ascend. I hope I answered your question. With more training you will learn how to control your bouyancy like that without holding your breath. Happy and safe diving.<br><b>References : </b><br> Actually you should not ascend while holding your breath for the reasons you yourself stated before. But it is easier to train and make a habit of exhaling at all times that way you are sure your airway is open while ascending. If you start holding your breath you might do it and ascend by mistake suffering and injury. Also when you inhale you become more bouyant so if you hold your breath at that moment you will likely ascend. I hope I answered your question. With more training you will learn how to control your bouyancy like that without holding your breath. Happy and safe diving.
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]]> By: allenhighnote http://www.scubagearfinder.com/blog/scuba-diving/why-is-it-dangerous-to-hold-your-breath-when-scuba-diving/comment-page-1#comment-44 allenhighnote Wed, 18 Apr 2007 16:45:38 +0000 http://www.scubagearfinder.com/blog/scuba-diving/why-is-it-dangerous-to-hold-your-breath-when-scuba-diving#comment-44 You answered your own question. But if you don't KNOW and I mean KNOW the answer to this then you did not receive good training. It means the difference between life and death! When ascending, you need to let the air in your lungs, sinuses, etc escape or pressure will build. This is also why it is important not to dive when you have a sinus blockage you can't clear. Also, remember to exhale air into your mask when you DESCEND. If you don't, you will get a mask squeeze, which is when the air in the air space between your mask and your face is compressed and creates extreme suction. It literally sucks blood out of your body through your eyes. (You've gotten a hickey before haven't you?) Usually not dangerous but very ugly.<br><b>References : </b><br> You answered your own question. But if you don't KNOW and I mean KNOW the answer to this then you did not receive good training. It means the difference between life and death!

When ascending, you need to let the air in your lungs, sinuses, etc escape or pressure will build. This is also why it is important not to dive when you have a sinus blockage you can't clear.

Also, remember to exhale air into your mask when you DESCEND. If you don't, you will get a mask squeeze, which is when the air in the air space between your mask and your face is compressed and creates extreme suction. It literally sucks blood out of your body through your eyes. (You've gotten a hickey before haven't you?) Usually not dangerous but very ugly.
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]]> By: Robert B http://www.scubagearfinder.com/blog/scuba-diving/why-is-it-dangerous-to-hold-your-breath-when-scuba-diving/comment-page-1#comment-43 Robert B Wed, 18 Apr 2007 16:39:04 +0000 http://www.scubagearfinder.com/blog/scuba-diving/why-is-it-dangerous-to-hold-your-breath-when-scuba-diving#comment-43 Larry S,you got your certification,you should not be asking this type of question.Please before you go scuba diving ask yourself if you are really ready to go in the water.<br><b>References : </b><br> Larry S,you got your certification,you should not be asking this type of question.Please before you go scuba diving ask yourself if you are really ready to go in the water.
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]]> By: Roger N http://www.scubagearfinder.com/blog/scuba-diving/why-is-it-dangerous-to-hold-your-breath-when-scuba-diving/comment-page-1#comment-42 Roger N Wed, 18 Apr 2007 16:34:37 +0000 http://www.scubagearfinder.com/blog/scuba-diving/why-is-it-dangerous-to-hold-your-breath-when-scuba-diving#comment-42 It's ok to hold going down...NEVER going up. Remember the balloon example, air expands going up and needs to vent so the balloon (your lungs in this case) don't rupture. Another side reason too is that there's a feeling of panic you get when your breath is held too long. By breathing out slowly, that panic is minimized.<br><b>References : </b><br>15 year diver It's ok to hold going down…NEVER going up. Remember the balloon example, air expands going up and needs to vent so the balloon (your lungs in this case) don't rupture.
Another side reason too is that there's a feeling of panic you get when your breath is held too long. By breathing out slowly, that panic is minimized.
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15 year diver

]]> By: cappy http://www.scubagearfinder.com/blog/scuba-diving/why-is-it-dangerous-to-hold-your-breath-when-scuba-diving/comment-page-1#comment-41 cappy Wed, 18 Apr 2007 16:33:19 +0000 http://www.scubagearfinder.com/blog/scuba-diving/why-is-it-dangerous-to-hold-your-breath-when-scuba-diving#comment-41 If you just got your certificate, you should know the answer is yes. What kind of instructor did you have?<br><b>References : </b><br> If you just got your certificate, you should know the answer is yes. What kind of instructor did you have?
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