Hold your breath?” Nope—blow bubbles instead.
Most people think that scuba divers must be great at holding their breath. But here’s the twist: the golden rule of scuba isn’t breath-holding—it’s breathing, continuously, calmly, and even joyfully.
Underwater, surrounded by silence and suspended in blue, scuba divers aren’t restricting their breath, actually they are retraining it. And one of the simplest, most powerful tools for mastering this skill? Blowing bubbles.
In this article, how scuba divers can breathe properly by blowing bubbles underwater. Keep reading to know.
Forgetting to Breathe
When relaxing, our normal breath is a slow, deep one. In stressful situations, our breathing may become fast and shallow. The importance of faster breathing lies in fueling our body with oxygen to be able to work hard in challenging situations.
Relaxation matters too, it’s essential when the body heals. Above the water, stress and worries keep our minds switched on. Chronic stress messes with our breathing and limits how well we breathe.
We can enhance the connection between breath and emotion by noticing our breathing and practicing healthier habits. Scuba divers who breathe properly by blowing bubbles underwater reduce and overcome stress.
Scuba Diving Reminds Us How to Breathe
When learning to scuba dive, we soon realize the value of breath control. When the air stays in our lungs without allowing it to leave, it becomes hard to get away from the surface. Underwater, our breath makes us rise and sink.
A big breath may (unintentionally) set off an unexpected ascent! Breathing too fast, or swimming too quickly can cause more stress. Stress or excitement makes us breathe faster. Breathing underwater can be visible in the bubbles we release.
If you want to learn more information about proper breathing techniques, enroll in the PADI Yoga Diver course. Or gain more understanding of breath control by taking the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy course.
Breathe Deep
When scuba diving, our breaths become slow and deep. When you breathe this way, your air consumption enhances because gas exchange becomes more efficient when the air is pulled down into the lungs and released slowly.
To make your body and brain function, you need a steady supply of oxygen. Proper breathing technique helps us to dive-ready and well. Oxygen keeps us alert, focused and has clear thinking.
Inhaling and exhaling in balance improves buoyancy and body position underwater. Slow, deep breaths also have a calming effect: we tend to breathe like this when relaxed or resting.
The Healing Power of Breathing Well
Breathing supports our wellbeing, both above and below water. It is not only important for our immediate survival, but also for our physical and emotional health.
Scuba diving highlights poor breathing habits, making it a useful way to learn breath control. The consequences of lower air consumption in addition to better buoyancy control are certainly good reasons to breathe properly by blowing bubbles underwater!
Even when you breathe properly by blowing bubbles underwater for a short period, this can give you a chance to relax your mind and restore your body.
