Breathing basics?

[Karibelle]

Thank you, kimbalabala. I'm glad you found the post useful.

kari

 

[TMHeimer]

To answer your original question: There is nothing at all wrong with pausing at the end of inhalation OR exhalation . . . so long as the airway is kept open. The problem is that most people don't know the difference between an open airway and a closed glottis, so the prescription for divers is simplified to "never hold your breath", because that's safe.

Yes, by never holding your breath, you are covered all the time no questions (though a very rapid ascent while exhaling slowly--CESA--has been known to cause lung overexpansion--maybe that is the one exception?). Photographers routinely hold their breath while shooting to eliminate the bubbles. They are OK as they are pretty much exactly still anyway. But they're still outside the rule that "covers all". Pausing slighlty may never hurt you, airway even closed for a split second, but again--outside the rule.