Inflating BC during ascent?

[fnfalman]

Ccameselle,

When neutrally buoyant at depth, using one's breathing volume is a perfectly safe and customary way of initiating an ascent.

A deeper breath than normal makes the diver become slightly positively buoyant and, as a result, causes the diver to start ascending in the water column. As the diver ascends, the gas in the B/C begins to expand and causes the diver to become even more buoyant.

At this time, the diver resumes a normal breathing cycle and vents the expanding gas from the B/C as s/he rises in the water column.

the K

I think that we can all agree to that. We just have to make sure that Kat and other new divers understand that holding a lungful of breath in order to ascend is a BAD, BAD THING. Can't say it often enough.

 

[DivingPrincessE]

Kat Do not use your breathing to star an ascend that stuff could kill you. Breathe, Swim up, Breathe

Just to be clear, nobody has advocated breath-holding as a way to modulate buoyancy. Taking a deeper breath than normal, however, is a perfectly safe way to get yourself slightly positive. But, as your instructor taught you, don't hold your breath--keep your airway open. If you are neutrally buoyant, you should feel your buoyancy changing as you inhale and exhale.

Thanks Vlad, I was a bit :huh: when I saw this post. I've been told that breath control is the best way to start an ascent. I'm still new and don't have my buoyancy under control so I still do the newbie- dump all my air, get vertical, swim up - thing. However the experienced people I dive with stay horizontal the entire ascent. They use their breath to start and control their entire ascent, breathing the entire time (no breath holding), and dumping air from their wing periodically, as needed, while they rise slowly. On the safety stop they just get to 15-20 and float there perfectly still.

One day...I'll be able to do that one day... *sigh*


But to the OP, just go ahead and take the class or the very least, buy the OW book and read it. It sounds like you're pretty sure you're going to get certified (since you're asking diving questions and not "should I get certified"). So what are you waiting for?? Stop wasting time here and go get certified already. Come back after you're certified, ask 1,000 questions, find a buddy here and go diving. The question you asked is one of the most basic things that will be covered.

 

[The Kraken]

"Kat Do not use your breathing to star an ascend that stuff could kill you."

No one has suggested "holding a lungful of breath in order to ascend . . .".

It was the statement that one should "not use your breathing to star (sic) an ascend (ic) that stuff could kill you."

A larger than normal inhalation is a very typical way of initiating an ascent, and I just wanted to point out that it is an acceptable method, that's all . . .

the K