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Greg - 4/10/2007 3:47 PM 
You need to stop playing football underwater :) I try to just relax and kick slowly and I mentally focus on my breathing just about the whole time. Just start bringing two tanks.
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bpsf1 - 4/10/2007 3:53 PM
Yes I know. Any suggestions on technique? I met an instructor at Stuart`s Cove two years ago who suggested a six count (3 in and 3 out) but that seemed to make me suck more air. Now that I am fully certified, I am going to work on it a lot.
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One thing that improved my air consumption was taking a BUOYANCY class. When you know the proper amount of ballast you will be more effective in the water. Relax, and get out there and dive!! The more you dive, the more relaxed you will be.
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I was having the same problem and one of the instructors i dive with sugested exhaling in a two part motion.once you do your normal exhale wait a sec and exhale again. This seemes to have done the trick for me
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To a certain extent the physical size of your lungs are a limiting factor, and there will always be 5`0" 98lbs women on their first dive ever who come up with more air than the instructor. In my experience: PROPER WEIGHTING and buoyency control make a big difference. Lose any extra weights and practice buoyancy. COMFORT level and relaxation underwater make the biggest difference, this comes with time and experience. BREATHING: there are many tips about breathing, some contradictory. For me the goal is to become so comfortable that breathing is normal and natural as it would be on the surface. ENERGY EXPENDITURE if you are cold get a better wetsuit, try not to thrash hands/bicycle feet or swim hard. There are other factors like physical fitness, smoking, stress level, illness etc that can affect air consumption but I guess when all is said and done, relax, enjoy your dive and don`t worry about it, some of us are just air hogs (I am) but it will get better.
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Hi Brian !! All these responses are great, but I dont agree with the advice to pause your breathing(same as hold breath).I am not in peak shape and yet do 55 minutes at 60ft leading scores of divers as DM. My technique is to exhale slowly and prolonged, then slowly inspire. This pattern gives me a nice I/E ratio of 1 to 3. Like the others said, slow down, relax and enjoy
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Nikki - 8/16/2007 12:14 AM
Hi Brian on my first few boat dives I was guzzling up my air. Now my air consumption is great because I`ve taken up yoga which concentrates on breathing. Try not to get too excited in the water - can be hard if you`ve just spotted your first sharks! Try a couple of classes and see if your breathing improves.
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What I did to help compensate for sucking lots of air was to buy a set of AL-100’s. I might rely on that strategy again if I plan on doing much inland diving. I didn’t do any open ocean dives on them but it’s another option to think about. The instructor at Playground Dive shop in Blue Springs, Mo thinks I just need better buoyancy control and maybe trim some extra lead weight. We shall see how I do after a few years off.
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