I once had to donate air to an experienced diver who had been so busy clearing his constantly flooding mask that he forgot to monitor his SPG. Apparently, a decent mask (or having a spare one on you) is good for your air consumption, too.
One thing i found really helped, was doing some simple pool or confined water dives during which i would deliberately concentrate on breathing, calm, smooth, and of a suitable ryhythm etc. On "real" dives i found there was simply too much going on to be able to concentrate on specific skills. So time in pool, despite being really boring (;-) is useful!
how do you keep your buoyancy constant while breathing in for 4 seconds holding and then breathing out for 6? Wouldn't you go up and down in the water?
In my experience, yes. Everything I've consciously tried to do to regulate my breath results in more fluctuation than I'd like. The only thing that works for me is relaxing, essentially forgetting about my breath. The more relaxed you are the more your breath naturally perfects itself.
Mark and fellow divers, There's appears to be a basic misunderstandings about breathing represented here. It has to do with Oxygen and the use of Carbon Dioxide. (Anyone who wants to research should go to Patrick McKeown's Oxygen Advantage info.) More oxygen in the lungs does not put more oxygen in the cells, where you need it. Having enough CO2 in the blood is necessary to drive the oxygen into the cells. Slow breathing into the bottom of the lungs - which is where oxygen is most easily absorbed - also allows CO2 to build up. This makes experiential sense. Watch a competent diver breathe. I suspect you'll see them doing just that. FYI: Mark's 4 x 6 breathing is perfectly in line with McKeown's information.
@@caseygrimes7290 Don't hold your breath when ascending as the gas in your lungs expands as you go up which will do all sorts of damage to your lungs. If you're staying on the same level then you're okay to slow your breathing down to a 12 second cycle. I still wouldn't "hold my breath" as such, but all you're doing on the 4 second cycle is slowing your breathing down slightly.
Hi Mark - just had a random thought... if I’m on Nitrox and my dive buddy is on air and one of us has an out of air emergency - for whatever reason - what’s the ramifications of sharing Nitrox/air?
Good question, best case scenario; you can alter your Dive computer in the water to the new gas mix. Then your computer can continue the Dive profile accurately. If you cannot switch gases in the water then just extend your safety stop as long as your gas supply allows and then stay out of the water for at least 24-48hrs so you can clear your tissues.
Surely if you are buddied and on different gas mixes (bad idea) then you will already be diving to the most conservative profile for what ever dive you are doing! That might mean limiting your depth (to Nitrox EADs) and/or limiting your dive time to air NDL's. Given that any air sharing means an immeditate "dive terminate" then you should both already be safe and so sharing either source makes no difference!
I once had to donate air to an experienced diver who had been so busy clearing his constantly flooding mask that he forgot to monitor his SPG. Apparently, a decent mask (or having a spare one on you) is good for your air consumption, too.
One thing i found really helped, was doing some simple pool or confined water dives during which i would deliberately concentrate on breathing, calm, smooth, and of a suitable ryhythm etc. On "real" dives i found there was simply too much going on to be able to concentrate on specific skills. So time in pool, despite being really boring (;-) is useful!
Mark, I’m glad you started your own channel. Get info brother.
Nice to see you Mark!
Dude you're so close to 100 subs!! 🙌🎉
I know! Then I can customise my URL!
And it's really nice that people are subscribing. I can have a joint birthday / 💯 subscribers party this weekend!
how do you keep your buoyancy constant while breathing in for 4 seconds holding and then breathing out for 6? Wouldn't you go up and down in the water?
In my experience, yes. Everything I've consciously tried to do to regulate my breath results in more fluctuation than I'd like. The only thing that works for me is relaxing, essentially forgetting about my breath. The more relaxed you are the more your breath naturally perfects itself.
Great video Mark. Does opening or closing the Effort Control knob on the 2nd stage have any effect on SAC?
Mark and fellow divers, There's appears to be a basic misunderstandings about breathing represented here. It has to do with Oxygen and the use of Carbon Dioxide. (Anyone who wants to research should go to Patrick McKeown's Oxygen Advantage info.) More oxygen in the lungs does not put more oxygen in the cells, where you need it. Having enough CO2 in the blood is necessary to drive the oxygen into the cells. Slow breathing into the bottom of the lungs - which is where oxygen is most easily absorbed - also allows CO2 to build up. This makes experiential sense. Watch a competent diver breathe. I suspect you'll see them doing just that. FYI: Mark's 4 x 6 breathing is perfectly in line with McKeown's information.
I use a thing called combat breathing. Take 4 seconds to breath in, hold that breath for 4 seconds, then 4 seconds to blow it out. Rinse and repeat.
i thought you weren’t supposed to hold your breath
@@caseygrimes7290 Don't hold your breath when ascending as the gas in your lungs expands as you go up which will do all sorts of damage to your lungs. If you're staying on the same level then you're okay to slow your breathing down to a 12 second cycle. I still wouldn't "hold my breath" as such, but all you're doing on the 4 second cycle is slowing your breathing down slightly.
Alison Anthony ok thanks man! :)
Hi Mark - just had a random thought... if I’m on Nitrox and my dive buddy is on air and one of us has an out of air emergency - for whatever reason - what’s the ramifications of sharing Nitrox/air?
Good question, best case scenario; you can alter your Dive computer in the water to the new gas mix. Then your computer can continue the Dive profile accurately.
If you cannot switch gases in the water then just extend your safety stop as long as your gas supply allows and then stay out of the water for at least 24-48hrs so you can clear your tissues.
Safe Diving thanks Mark 😊🐬
It’s not a great idea to have a buddy on a different gas for several reasons, best to avoid the potential problem in the first place.
Surely if you are buddied and on different gas mixes (bad idea) then you will already be diving to the most conservative profile for what ever dive you are doing! That might mean limiting your depth (to Nitrox EADs) and/or limiting your dive time to air NDL's. Given that any air sharing means an immeditate "dive terminate" then you should both already be safe and so sharing either source makes no difference!
Never hold your breath underwater that’s how over expansion injuries happen 🤦♂️
*never hold your breath and ascend...