Why do some divers end dives with more air?

Why do some divers end dives with more air?

Have you ever been on a boat and noticed your buddy ends the dive with more air thank you? You are using the same tank size and did the same dive profile, same physical exertion … What happened?

In the following article, we will explain how to get a better breathing technique and hopefully add a few extra minutes to your dive.

Are you ready for your diving trip? Have you prepared your gear, divelog and camera? And what about your breath? One of the most important parameters to take into account when diving is the way you breathe. It’s not only about a longer bottom time, it’s a question of how to calm and enjoyable the dive will be. It’s also about your ability to fully immerse yourself in the underwater world discovering its beauty and wonders.

So what is a good Breathing technique?

  • The first and most important rule is to never hold your breath! (I bet you can hear the voice of your dive instructor saying this)
  • Breath normally and calmly. Sure, but what does it mean. As you breathe in a regulator (2nd  stage), there is air trapped there. So you need to inhale a bit longer than outside water to be able to inhale oxygen. A rule would be to inhale for 4 seconds, then for 2 seconds to keep inhaling slowly before exhaling for 4 seconds. Then repeat. This will allow you to oxygenate your body
  • Use your breath to adjust your buoyancy and navigate on top of the reef. Once you have completed your descent and found a neutral buoyancy, the idea is to use your breath and lungs to bring you higher or lower, without using you BC inflator and deflator. It will give you more mastery over your movement and will allow you to consume less air from the tank.

How can you prepare your breath for diving? Yoga offers many techniques to work on your breath and control it.

Here are 2 efficient breathing techniques you could try:

  • Full Yogic breath will allow you to become aware of the full capacity of your lungs and start controlling the way you breathe. Lie down on your back and put one hand on your stomach and one on your chest. Now breathe, focus on your chest. Make the chest hand rise up as you inhale, and sink back down as you exhale. Then do the same with your stomach hand. Once you got these different movements, start inhaling into the stomach, then continue to inhale into your chest and finally into the space of the collar bones. Keep a long and steady exhale. Practice up to 20 full breaths.
  • Nadi Shodana or alternate nostrils breath. This breathing technique will allow you to widen your breath and to find balance both physically and mentally. Use your right thumb to block the left nostril and right ring finger to block the right nostril. The index and middle finger can be rested on the space in between the eyebrows. Start by blocking the left nostril and inhale into the right. Change, block the right nostril and exhale through the left. Inhale into the left and then change and exhale through the right. This is 1 round. You can keep going until you reach 20 rounds.

We hope these techniques are helpful and if you wish to practice with us, Irina, our yoga teacher will be happy to share more with you.

We hope to see you soon and hear your stories about your breaths ?

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Raja Ampat Biodiversity Eco Resort is a place to connect with nature in one of the best diving and snorkeling destinations in the world!

Apart from the marine life that you can enjoy diving or snorkeling , Raja Ampat offers many other activities that will allow you to explore this spectacular part of the planet; kayaks, cultural visits to the villages, excursions in the jungle, visits to the small islands, enjoy the fauna and birds of the area (many of them endemic) …

In this blog we will share some of our adventures with you.

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