Air saving techniques
All new divers breathe excessively for the first few dives – this means they end up surfacing before more experienced divers, but over time their air consumption will level out as they cease to panic breathe.
There additional techniques that you can use to conserve air safely – meaning you can dive longer and feel confident that if you do have to stay under a little longer than you planned – say for novice divers to exit before you, your air supply will last you comfortably. The most important element of air conservation is that you will use less air if you are well rested. You need to be mentally and physically prepared to make the dive, and you will use air faster if you are tired, stressed or fighting an illness. A stressed or anxious diver can easily consume two times the air they use in their normal relaxed consumption.
Diving regularly builds up confidence levels which means you don’t panic breathe. Try to maintain diving skills such as buoyancy even if you can’t get out to deep dive. Swimming pools often have diving sessions once a month and that’s enough to keep you in shape. Slowing your breathing is the biggest single practical step you can take. Breathe slowly if possible holding the air in the lungs for a beat or two after the in-breath. Relax and exhale. Yoga is a superb way to learn to breathe effectively as it teachings the kind of deep calm breathing that will provide a more efficient gas exchange in the lungs. It does take some practice and concentration to make it a habit underwater, but it’s worth it.
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