5 Ways To Use Less Gas When Scuba Diving

[@andrewq1876]

"Can I get a discount on the course?" "Sure what part of the training would you like me to leave out?" My goodness that had me rolling.

[@nathitappan]

Definitely will start using that one in our dice center! 🤣

[@Themarriedbachelor]

I was diving of the coast of the Carolina’s every weekend to depths of a 100 feet + and couldn’t get 10 minutes out of an 80 tank bought a 120 and started getting 15 minutes but with nitrox I should have been able to get 25 minutes. I told my instructor about my issues and he gave me a tip that made all the difference in the world. I went from sucking down a 120 in 15 minutes to coming up with a little less than 1/2 a tank left. He said once you jump in get to the hang line and take a minute to adjust your gear and slow your breathing. Being on the boat and gearing up then jumping in can make you breathing very rapid. By taking a minute and concentrating on your breathing and slowing it down before you descend will make all the difference in the world. Anyone want to buy a couple of 120’s Lol.

[@FloridaMadeMike]

Thank you taking the time to type this, is actually really good advice! I hope others can note it. Cheers👍

[@christophbethe7871]

10 min on a 100 foot dive is very fast air consumption damn. Great you got the advice you needed

[@johnrand9799]

A 6th item would be to dive more! The more you dive the less you're stressed and the better you are with all the skills - the result: the longer your dives. Cheers!

[@stevej5276]

I think this is the number one key, everything just falls into place eventually.

[@randyfreston962]

I think diving more reduces the stress that he mentioned.

[@kenharrington3783]

For newer divers, I'd say add new gear slowly. Almost like you do with night diving. I changed up my compass set up, for the 1st time in 15 years. Talk about feeling like a idiot! Lol 😆 🤣 😂

[@Dodgechallengersixpack]

Agreed 100% I just did a refresher after 5 years, I cranked through the gas, and im usually better at conserving it.

[@charlesg7926]

That’s true. And I would also that doing intense exercise (weightlifting + hard running/swimming) for a couple months leading up to your dive trip, will have a HUGE impact on both your body’s fitness, as well as improving your mood, confidence, lung strength, and even sleep!

[@johnsarangel]

i won’t forget the time i finally used my lungs for buoyancy. i smiled inside my mask. i think i was on my 30th dive that time. i also won’t forget the time when my instructor, although just my buddy on a fun dive that particular time, told me to hand out 1 piece of my weight (1 pound) during the safety stop. so i gave it to him and noticed that i wasn’t ascending when i removed air in my BC. then he told me again to hand him out 1 more piece of weight (1 pound). i signaled him “huh”? so i handed it too him too and made sure there was no air in my BC. upon reaching the surface, he told me “that’s your new weight now, you’re too heavy”: yup, he was right. although i have to make a little more effort to descend from the surface when starting a dive, but when reaching about 4-5 feet, buoyancy is perfect until the end of a dive...

[@keeponwishin]

I was a firefighter long before I was a diver, which was a tremendous help when it came to learning to breathe properly underwater. When I was a firefighter, we were put through several different physical and psychological stress courses while breathing from an SCBA tank and our lives may have depended on how long we could make that tank last. Those skills translated to SCUBA with each breath being deliberate; either to oxygenate the brain or to control bouyancy.

[@bradallen5571]

"The weighting is the hardest part"......F'n Brilliant!! Yet another great video from our favorite dive guru. Thanks James.

[@DiversReady]

Glad you enjoyed it Brad!

[@M3rl1n87]

"Chundering through your gas like a whale with allergies", love that analogie lol.

[@DocRigel]

I need a demonstration.

[@petecusack1638]

I'm a new diver. I mostly ccean, shorebased dives and when swell is big off the rocks I tend to consume a bit of gas getting in and during the descent. I surf and generally like the waves but when diving I guess I'm thinking about too many things and not as relaxed I should be. Also Im only 10 dives down and desperately want to get better. I'm going to try the 4 in and 4 out during my dive on the weekend. Thanks ;)

[@dustinetheredge764]

Yoga has been great for my diving. Yoga breathing is very fitting for diving.

[@maxmorgan2297]

Ya freediving primarily

[@TacoBell84]

I have only just my scuba licence last week. Loved the 3 days so much

[@stuartmcinally722]

I'm definitely the pissed off dragon. 😂 2nd dive coming up after my OW certification tomorrow.

[@murphygreen8484]

How'd it go?

[@michaelhallman5811]

I love your channel. As a fellow instructor I teach the 3 counts in and 5 counts out. Then 5 and 5. Next 5 and 7 and finally 7 counts in 7 counts out.

[@Litehamer]

It’s me !!! I’m the pissed off dragon …… New Diver , drysuit , cold dark water always gets me . I was so much better in the tropics when I completed the OW course.

[@joshmandeville3835]

I'm a nose breather by nature and when using a regular setup I suck a LOT of air. I switched to a Full Face mask and because I can breathe from my nose, I've more than doubled my down time at the same depth. I'm now the last person who runs out of gas and it's one of the best things I've done in diving.

[@CondoMetropolis]

Most of us are nose breathers by nature. It's something you have to learn to stop doing when you're diving. Just takes a little time.

[@joshmandeville3835]

@@CondoMetropolis I've done quite a lot of breath training since I posted this comment. But I stand by what I said previously. I still have more downtime with an FFM.

[@JackPatrick-eh8dn]

That’s amazing! What FFM do you use?

[@eratz1]

New diver here, loving your content, so well done, great tips here. Thx!

[@kennethseth7639]

James, I'm new to SCUBA diving and have greatly appreciate all your videos that you make. I have found to be watching these every time I get a chance. Thank you for the great knowledge.

[@BH0t8498]

Thanks James, I finally got my ass to a class and certified when I turned 50. Now I’m kicking myself for not doing it decades ago. Always watch video tips from the pros to make myself a more efficient diver. Knowledge is good

[@DiversReady]

Thanks for being here B Hott! Welcome to the sport!

[@LarsDennert]

Great video. My SAC rate is 0.33cf/m (9 l/m) on normal dives. This is the same as my 60lb 13 year old who dives with me. On a recent 15meter max night dive he managed 45 minutes on a 50cf 7L tank. Tip 6 it must be in the genes. I guess I never attributed much of my very low consumption on your first four tips though inherently I know that diving a dry suit induces heavy drag or being overweighted makes for an uncomfortable dive. I have always separated DIR skills from gas consumption. My observation on tip 5 is that most people breathe underwater like they do on land: inhale, exhale, pause. Reverse breathing is an instant benefit (inhale pause exhale) but hazardous advice both because in an emergency situation, the pause could become a breath-hold and CO2 buildup can occur in someone unaware. So your advice of breathing very slowly is great, unless you are taking photos, lol. I will give that advice as well to people who ask me about using less gas as well as your other tips.

[@jassenjackman3284]

Thumbs up for Ziggy Thumbs up for Jennifer Double thumbs up for meaningful comments on improving stress, trim, and breathing cadence. Best advice you gave me...why are you kicking on the line on the safety stop? I didn’t even notice I was doing it because I was so excited to be there. Don’t waste your air moving unnecessarily!

[@DiversReady]

Thanks Jassen! More Ziggy coming up!

[@Craig17g]

I love that final tip about the breathing pattern. I’m going to try that on my next dive.

[@dennybe]

Lol, in the diving group they would say I am the pissed off dragon! Just got cleared to transfer to another island next week for a week long dive trip... so stoked the travel restrictions are easing up. Another month and I would have been required to get a refresher lmao. Thanks for the tips as always, James.

[@kjdtm]

This weekend i'm im diving in a lake, perfect place to practice counting the breathing time

[@patrickmooney4135]

OMG. The Labyrinth reference / flashback had me in tears. I completely agree. Thanks.

[@DiversReady]

Glad you enjoyed that!

[@erickowens6985]

The animal analogies are superb 😂 thanks for another great video!

[@Scuba_Bro]

I can't say it enough... what you said about counting to 5 and 6 for breathing is something i had to learn over time and just wish someone had told me earlier on when i started diving. Breathing this way also helps keep you calmer as well when you're learning.

[@DiversReady]

I teach that at Open Water level.

[@AW-jx1op]

Physiologic I:E ratio is ~1:2. It needs to be varied while diving to move up or down the water column. I worry that overfocusing on the timing of the respiratory cycle will lead to difficulty with buoyancy control and train skip breathing in beginners.

[@mcmoore02]

I thought that breathing technique is mentioned in the PADI open water learning guide.

[@parkerpowell9045]

Awesome man just got my certification a few weeks ago

[@stephenmallet6872]

I recently did a shallow (6-10m) coastal dive with a few buddies. We were out for 78mins on 12L tanks. I started with 210psi and came back with 100. All these points are super important. If you can improve at least 2, you'll notice a huge difference in your gas consumption.

[@bradfordpalmer2298]

Shallow dives vs deep dives !! Absolutely!

[@6-Iron]

Much appreciated advice. I’m always among the first to hit my reserve and I never could figure out why.

[@TomGlander]

So the counting method will put into practice tomorrow. Very good. And dive more...

[@DiversReady]

Thanks Tom!

[@NateShank]

*Jennifer Connelly reference was HUGE!...that and the expert advice! Love your vids James! Keep it up

[@danielbiggin9592]

Excellent video. Thank you. Really enjoyed it. When I first started diving I was using a 15 litre cylinder when everyone was using a 12 litre and I was STILL the person hitting the turn pressure first. Now I dive on a 12 litre and am often the person with the most air left out of a group. Thats not a boast or bragging more to make the point that I think the reason is a combination of these 5 things. I look back at my early dives now and the difference is insane. Thanks again.

[@DiversReady]

That's great to hear, Daniel! Congrats!

[@rosadiligi]

The best tip for using less gas is to be a woman of 50kg

[@tiktak3559]

Yes! Can relate 🤣🤣

[@privatedipshit3290]

God idea went with being a 60 kg boy but either way works:-)

[@simonclarent3742]

Ya as a 200cm 140kg man I had to take 18 liters for 24 and got 40 bar after the dive lol

[@sameermohideen4913]

Yes. I’m jealous.

[@stephendoherty8291]

When your buddy carries almost no weight, then they will likely barely use gas at all, on one tank.

[@katkat4986]

what helped me more by default is that i run everyday. 2nd is utilising my lungs more when keeping my buoyancy in check than filling and dumping gas using my BCD. strong lungs, less gas dumps. that being said, i quit smoking. 3rd meditate before diving. it reduces stress. 4th is perfecting my trim. yazzz

[@Berkcam]

Fitness and confidence - easy 😏

[@soundmind2555]

The most entertaining and informative diving video I’ve ever seen! I laughed. I cried. I hummed along. Rating: 5 pissed off dragons!

[@figueirodenis]

This video couldn't have come at a better time! I've been trying to become more mindful of my gas consumption during dives, keep up the great work!

[@phil8212]

Great video. I’ve been diving for over 35 yrs and you couldn’t be more correct. But I feel that the two main problems with bad divers is not enough training ( dive shops get you in and out ) and not diving with somebody that has more experience and skills to learn from

[@hermangroenewald6939]

Absolutely correct Phil, can’t agree more👌👌👌everytime i dive i try to better myself, never to old to learn

[@JesusisLord-7A]

If you are able to get your air tanks/air cylinder filled cheap enough or even free, you can practice breathing at home. I'm a firefighter looking to become dive rescue certified. Firefighters use SCBA, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus as opposed to SCUBA Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. One of the most common problems that a new firefighter has is breathing. I was told to sit at the table and time how long that it takes to empty an air cylinder. Fill it up and beat that time. Once you're comfortable with that, do the same while walking on a treadmill. Then do the same with all of your gear on, maybe not your fins. I feel that this could be helpful with diving as well. If you don't have a treadmill walk around the yard or do some other kind of cardiovascular exercise just to work on your breathing.

[@wanderlust7020]

The part about “a discount” cracked me up! LOL..... “Sure, what part of training you want me to leave out?” LMAO

[@spencerdurham206]

As an ex-smoker I use more gas than my dive buddy- can't wait to try all these tips to see if I can compensate! Very articulate video; and the cherry on top? James is a big Bowie/Labyrinth fan? Hell yeah!

[@mahone1775]

Would definitely like to read an update. I haven’t dived in years and I’m contemplating taking it back up again.

[@RubenArredondo-pr6sh]

Thanks!

[@DiversReady]

Thanks so much! Glad we could help!

[@yangjie07]

I have another point: stay warm. If I feel cold underwater, I'll suck more gas.

[@megavolt2008]

That's a good point. My SAC rate goes from 0.4 at 80F to 0.65 at 50F.

[@petecusack1638]

Agree, I was a little cold last dive and noticed that. Although the guy o the vid is based in Florida so cold water is not so relevant

[@everist22]

James - have u ever considered selling Miami Technical Divers merch? I love the T-shirt design. Simon (Australia)

[@henryintheuk]

Although these are all obvious it is always valuable to be reminded. Great video.

[@ftothel794]

Hi James. Thank you for making awesome videos but this time i have to *throw a flag* on the play. :-D The mammalian diving reflex is not what drives ventilation. What you mentioned (CO2 buildup “making” people breathe) is named “respiratory drive” or “hypoxic drive.” The mammalian diving reflex is a collection of physiological changes triggered by having water at or below 24C touch the area on the face that is innarvated by the trigeminal nerve (around the bridge of the nose and cheeks) while holding one’s breath. When the reflex is triggered, there is bradychardia (lowering of heart rate), increased perfusion of O2 in the lungs, reduction of blood flow to limbs, and increase in mean arterial pressure, besides others. Cheers!

[@drreggaebart]

The new set up is great! The dark background works really well, the light is good and sound set up is the best so far. O, and GREAT TIPS, well explained. With the long breath it is also good to notice if you breathe with movement, on the surface we run or row or swim and breathe in and out sort of in sync with our movement. When diving, trying to separate our breath from movement will aid in the maintaining of the long and even breath. Yoga helps here amazingly!

[@DiversReady]

Agreed! Yoga is excellent for scuba divers.

[@OnlyKaerius]

I should probably note that on closed circuit your breathing rate doesn't matter, only your oxygen metabolism rate, which varies with exertion. Closed circuit rebreather diving is amazing, it's easy to get 3 hour dives out of the tiny tanks, regardless of depth. If I want to do that on open circuit I'd need at least 2-3 tanks, depending on size, unless I'm literally just under the surface, and idling.

[@PoetOnTheRun]

I love that you love Labyrinth the movie..."Toby?" "Toby?"

[@stephenwalters7543]

Wonderful video…..I’m beginning my initial OW Lessons next month….loooking to as much info n knowledge from you as possible….. Quick question… you are from England …which part???

[@johnatella8498]

I noticed that my guide was breathing about 4-5 times a minute. Long deep breaths but also there was a lot of no breathing time...she just didn't need it. When I followed her example, I increased my dive time from 37 to 58 minutes. I didn't hold my breath when going up or down - I just breathed when I needed to when I was level. When going up/down, I breathed. What I don't get is why some guides are telling you to breathe every 8-10 seconds minimum when they don't do it themselves.

[@janinacooper4199]

Thank you James! I love this style of video! First of all your funny and very entertaining way to convey information. Secondly, though I have watched many videos on this subject, this just has a little bit more information and is a blast to watch!!!

[@DiversReady]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks Janina!

[@rickmcnamara5212]

Snort Laughed at the comment about discounts for diving... hahahahaha Yup what part would you like me to leave out! 🤣 Thanks for the great video, I have been diving since 1981 and enjoyed the content and tips

[@ruthmbetteridge]

love the video, presentation and content, thanks! 1 small point thou. In normal breathing the ratio of inspiration to expiration would be 1:2 meaning we breath out for longer than we breath in, as thats when we get rid of the CO2. i get that control of breathing in diving is important but i'm not sure about the ratio of 1:1. i could be wrong. looking forward to more videos.

[@glaucoberg]

I agree with you.. the longer you can breathe out without being forced or uncomfortable is better.. cose you will have a long breathing cycle.

[@Grayto]

My issue with 4-second exhale and 4-second inhale is that, as indicated in the video, if you use your breath to go control buoyancy; how do you maintain an even breath pattern if for example, you want to descend a meter to check out an eel in a hole or hover near the the bottom to see a nudi? If I do 4 In and 4 or out, Im going up and down based on my breath and not at the level I specifically want to be.

[@kenharrington3783]

Nice video, I have over 1,000 dives. Have a new girlfriend who hasn't dived in a while, and was never anything more than a vaca diver. Your vid helps explaining things and brought up stuff i haven't thought of for years. Thx brother! Kenny

[@joshs3916]

Get about 1:45 mins on an AL 80 and I’m sub 160 lb guy. It’s breathing technique as well

[@MikeR_DiveR]

James...👏👏👏. The Labyrinth reference was stellar!! I would agree that the weighting is the hardest part. Also liked “pissed off dragon.” Lol. My circle calls it being an ASD - Air Sucking Device. Thanks for the tips.

[@hermangroenewald6939]

Again excellent video, well done👌👌👌

[@DiversReady]

Thank you so much 😀

[@oioionionone]

Best diving advice on the web, love this guy, only just found these vids and really appreciate the tips and the humour

[@danielwebster8383]

Great video

[@DiversReady]

Thanks for the visit

[@abauto5408]

Yep I'm that pissed off dragon, I will be using the counting techniques next drive. Thanks for sharing the information.

[@turtlelifesupport]

Nice one James. Thanks for your efforts and sense of humour

[@kevyneuro]

You made reference to optimum fins for different scenarios. Can you do a video or point me to one where a different fin may be better than another for a certain dive? Thanks in advance.

[@theta682pl]

I'm currently working my way towards getting an advanced open water certification as a summer school before starting Uni and this has helped me out a lot. The last tip was especially helpful.

[@HR81PR112]

you win all the points for making a Labyrinth reference. (great taste haha)

[@DiversReady]

Thanks Nat!

[@alolangi5007]

Thank you for sharing your experience,it help me much 👌

[@timstevenson4844]

James- this is brilliant and insightful- top job.

[@arunrao3506]

EPIC EXPLANATION.THANKS

[@smokerx893]

i used students air supply usage as a way to see who was uncomfortable underwater. i could never understand how often people that cant swim or have a fear of water would join my friends dive class. oh full disclaimer i am not a dive instructor i was just an extra set of hands and at times a visual guide or replacement dive buddy :) i basically worked for air or gas as you would say.

[@timburton4488]

Brilliant video! I am going to start learning soon.

[@DiversReady]

Thanks for watching! Dive safe.

[@rossdonison4999]

Awesomed video. Helpful and entertaining. Subscribed.

[@mischastieger3222]

A Swiss living in China, not having the change to practice much over the past few years.... but this video was teaching me important essentials, which I should have known, but was not really aware about! - THANKS ! but how can I reduce weights, I need at least 6kg, otherwise I could never decent... :-?

[@raldiarchimuchlas1257]

Thank you for these tips. Minor suggestion, for videos on tips like this it would help if you summarize all the tips either on the last few seconds of the video or down in the description. Looking forward to more diving tips videos from you 🙂

[@bjcarlson62]

I appreciate how practical you make these lessons. I haven't watched one yet that wasn't completely useful. Good work.

[@coenelferink8659]

How would you combine the breathing 4 seconds in/4 seconds out with regulating your buoyancy through breathing? Seems those two are a bit counterintuitive, no? Thanks for the video, really informative! Quite an airhog myself but getting more relaxed in the water has definitely helped me improve.

[@ayybee8184]

The way I like to explain the four count breathing technique is by explaining that the use of seconds as the unit of measurement for your 4 count is arbitrary. No two people will ever match a count of 4 seconds exactly the same in their head. No two people will ever have exactly the same resperation or metabolic rate. Don't get stuck on the idea that your respiratory rate must be an exact 16 seconds to be using the technique correctly. Seconds are used because they're a "standard" rate that people can comprehend and apply as a concept to learn the important part of the technique- which is breathing in a consistent cycle to regulate your metabolism of waste gas in a way which keeps you neutrally buoyant which will in turn will be measurable by better gas consumption rates. You could do a 5 count, or a 3 count. Or even use a mix of words. “In, two, three, four" "Hold, two, three, four" "Out, two, three, four" "Hold, two, three, four“ Find a consistent pace that is right for you and remember that it's a skill that should be practiced and can always be improved. Eventually, you may find yourself doing it subconsciously.

[@HavikenHayes]

I remember watching the behind the scenes of the movie The Abyss. One of the divers was handed a cigarette while on the surface & I thought, really? Btw you said "lower your sac" LOL. Sorry, I couldn't resist.

[@TheGingerNinja83]

Good stuff, but as a diver for 20 years I can definitively say that no matter how my buoyancy was or how relaxed I was I did not make my best strides with breathing until I incorporated regular exercise into the equation. This i believe is the true key to awesome air consumption!

[@Larutus]

This made me laugh a lot, hoping to get to put all these tips into practise soon.

[@diveonebyshaheen1706]

Thank you for great tips..... 👌🏽

[@DiversReady]

You're so welcome!

[@dudleybrown7030]

Yeah, I love Labyrinth too!

[@roymcelwee9334]

Great tips as always. Thanks.

[@kevinb3388]

This is very useful information, concisely delivered with humor. That's a winning combination!

[@RichRobinson]

You quoted Tom Petty. You're a Bowie fan. You mentioned ultimate babe, Jennifer Connelly. I'm a fan just from this alone! I'm no dive expert but I have noticed lots of people not using their breath to gently trim their depth over/under objects. Subscribed! :D

[@DiversReady]

thank for your support! Dive safe.

[@jasperpearson2092]

Brilliant as always, Ive learnt SO much from all your videos, keep em coming!

[@charispeterson4817]

Also work to become more comfortable in the water. I have seen many divers get certified that only have the ability to swim and are not comfortable in the water. As well as be comfortable with organisms in the water, scared of barracudas? You will go though gas faster from being nervous, investigate where your fears come from (Discovery Channel?) and the statistics behind those fears and what you can do to mitigate them. Things in the ocean are typically not as dangerous as we think. New conditions can also cause unease, speak up and let the Divemaster or boat mate know and ask for a more detailed explanation.

[@alisatipisova2076]

I think overweight is often promoted by the dive centers, that's why a lot of recreational divers are constantly overweighted. I dive with 4kg in Egypt and last time I had an argument with the dive center, because they put additional weights into my bcd without asking :)

[@citizendc9]

OK. So adjusting my breathing to breath-in 16 seconds and breath out for 16 seconds will extend my bottom time by about 3x by my estimates. Cant wait to try this on my next dive.

[@djjoshua007]

can you make a video on how much lift you loose the deeper (130+) you go and where is the danger limits with how heavy your gear will affect your bcd and any second lift device ? thank you.

[@pbillings808]

Would be a good video. When properly weighted, the BC has to solely compensate for the weight of the gas you normally consume and loss of all wetsuit buoyancy to be conservative. Measure your suit so you know! My 3 mm suit with an AL80 is 13 lb (8 lb suit+booties / 5 lb air). A ballpark for a 7 mm suit with an HP120, that could easily be about 35 lb (27 lb suit/boots + 8 lb air). That's also what you'd have to swim up if your bladder failed, which is why diving a 7 mm wetsuit without a secondary lift mechanism isn't a great idea.

[@kimberlysims8183]

I'm finishing my open water certification and found your channel. You get my thumbs up and subscribe for your love of The Labyrinth and Bowie. I tried to convince my husband to name our dog Sir Didymus but was overruled.

[@craziedscot]

I’m the guilty one answering my CEO emails while on vacation then all I think about under water is crap! Thanks for pointing my flaw out.

[@gee4526]

Thank you James, I noticed the mystery box is back, ..... but, the coffee mug is still MIA. Great advice vid sir.

[@theinflatablescaptain1544]

Love the scrum down vid snippet for cardio...

[@luissinis]

Thanks for the tips.

[@B_A_Images]

I had to watch parts of this video several times to catch what I missed while I was laughing. What mesh bag was that you were packing? I need one to carry my gear. Keep up the great videos!

[@thezerocool22]

Love this video, genuine things here i will take into my dives. I hope one day i get to meet you and tell you how i did.

[@AutomotiveDriven]

What would you suggest for a new diver that is a bigger diver and what type of drysuits would you suggest

[@DiversReady]

Hi Mike, yoga works for people of all shapes and sizes when it comes to breath control. When it comes to drysuits... if the off the peg sizes don't fit you, you're probably looking at a custom suit, which range from pricey to ridiculous.

[@AutomotiveDriven]

@@DiversReady thank you i am looking at getting into diving and i was looking at drysuits and wasn't sure if one is better then the other?

[@jerardwashington7390]

thank you so much my friend

[@DiversReady]

No problem! Dive safe.

[@giladtalmon8880]

Great advise! Thank you very much for sharing!

[@DiversReady]

My pleasure!

[@markgiltner7358]

I tend to like being heavy, the majority of dives I do are decompression dives, so I need to hold position to the letter of the law. Breath control is my main consideration slow steady inhale, a slight 2 second pause and a slow exhale, while not letting any unnecessary ço2 buildup. Streamlining is my secondary consideration being comfortable in my drysuit and then fine tuning with my BCD. Anyone who has never dove in a drysuit, comfort is key to a good dive, make sure the valve to your suit is open at the beinging of the accent, you dont want to have to offgas your suit as well as you BCD. Your need to manage any sensory overload while managing narcoses at 170 plus feet. But for newer divers doing NDL dives, keep it as simple as you can

[@jonathanbradley4896]

Yes, especially if you're diving a drysuit. It's nigh impossible to stay down at 5m at the end of a dive if you've got a bit of air trapped somewhere, like your feet.

[@carldean4814]

I mostly dive dry as well as I live in Canada! I prefer a slight hold on exhale unless I want to drop down a few feet, then I tend to do a normal exhale. Have never been much below 100 ft though.

[@connorjohnson7545]

Very useful stuff as a beginner! also love the transitions; would love to see more like that

[@DiversReady]

More to come! Thanks Connor!