Scuba Breathing Tips

You're a new certified scuba diver and to help you get the most out of diving you should learn a few scuba breathing tips. Unlike breathing on land, you rely on your scuba tank for air which means you have only so much time you can stay underwater before you run out of oxygen. There are breathing and diving techniques which may seem very basic but they will allow you to stay underwater longer with less difficulty. One danger a diver faces if he rises to surface to quickly is lung infection, so do take things slowly and easily to enjoy a great dive.

1. Swim slowly. The same principle applies on land; if you jog, your breathing is heavier, if you walk it's slower. A good scuba breathing tip is to swim at a slow steady pace.
2. Float with your arms and hands to your side. Instinctively, you may want to swim freestyle while you are underwater; however, this will take up energy which will cause you to breath harder. If you allow your hands to just float by your side or tuck then into your weight belt you will find yourself swimming with ease.
3. Swim horizontal. This is a great scuba breathing tip: keeping your body parallel at all times to conserve energy. Swimming in an angle is a common novice mistake.
4. Take slow, deep breaths. This is an important scuba breathing tip to give your body the opportunity to absorb oxygen properly. Deliberate deep breaths will assist in the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.   
5. Watch your depth.  The deeper you go the more pressure on your lungs which will cause you to breath more often. A good scuba breathing tip is to swim shallower than deeper to enjoy a longer dive.
6. Fill your tanks with Enriched Air Nitrox. This blend of enriched oxygen will assist you in slowing your breathing while underwater. This air mixture works efficiently in shallow dives.
7. Stay warm. While in some parts of the world the water will be freezing, it's a known fact that warm divers use less air. This solid scuba breathing tip will help you travel to places for warm water dives which will allow you to enjoy a longer underwater experience.