This page is an English translation of the original Italian article. The original publication date and historical context have been preserved.
If these rules have faded since the first classroom lesson, it is worth reviewing them—and looking more closely at one particular habit.
Breathe slowly
Slow breathing encourages calm, controlled ventilation and gives gas exchange time to occur effectively in the lungs. It also reduces unnecessary flow resistance through the regulator and airways.
Breathing rate is closely connected with stress and heart rate. A slow rhythm helps a diver remain relaxed, improves comfort and supports efficient gas use. When anxiety begins to grow, returning attention to the breathing cycle can be one of the most useful ways to regain control.
Breathe deeply
Breathing should be slow and sufficiently deep to move fresh gas through the regulator, mouthpiece, trachea and other anatomical dead space. Very shallow breathing can repeatedly move much of the same gas and reduce effective ventilation.
The issue can be even more noticeable at the surface while using a snorkel, because the snorkel adds extra dead space.
Never hold your breath
Holding the breath during ascent is dangerous. As ambient pressure decreases, gas in the lungs expands. If expanding gas cannot escape, pulmonary barotrauma and arterial gas embolism can result, even from a relatively shallow depth.
During buoyancy changes, photography or any moment requiring precise control, keep the airway open. A diver may briefly pause movement of the diaphragm, but should never close the glottis and trap expanding gas.
Skip breathing
Skip breathing means deliberately or unconsciously pausing between breaths in an attempt to reduce gas consumption. It does not solve the underlying problem. Instead, it can increase carbon dioxide retention and produce a stronger urge to breathe.
Hypercapnia may cause headache, confusion, breathlessness, flushing, rapid heart rate, panic and reduced mental performance. In severe cases it can contribute to loss of consciousness and other life-threatening events.
If skip breathing is deliberate, replace it with better trim, propulsion, relaxation and breathing technique. If it is unconscious, ask a buddy or instructor to observe you—or record a short video—so you can recognise the pattern.
The goal remains simple: breathe slowly, deeply and continuously.
