Beginner

[Chico]

To forum members,

I would appreciate if anybody could give me advice on how to improve holding my breath underwater.
I am starting a scuba diving instructor course and the swim test has some underwater breath holding tests, such as being able to hold your breath for 1 min, swimming 33 meters, ditch and recovery of skin diving gear and this is after a 2 min rest from just having completed a 825 meter swim with snorkelling gear.
I think I am fit enough but am finding it really hard to hold my breath any longer than about 40 secs, and that's above the water while resting.
The course will run over a period of about 3 months and I need to be able to reach the standard by the end.

Please help

Chico

[BatRay]

Hey Chico,

The best way to learn how to do this is simply to do it. It would be good to have a buddy on hand. It sounds like a bit of a stress test, so maybe a bit of lap swimming while holding your breath would help. Just try not to get too stressed out. Try reading other threads about breath holding. You can find them in the beginner's forum, or use the search function and type in 'apnea'. Those will probably help you a lot. Good luck!

[Chico]

Batray,

Thanks. By using the advice in the posts I've been able to improve to the point I believe I'll be able to pass the underwater tests. I'll continue to train using your advice about breath holding while swimming.

Appreciate it,
CHico