SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/scuba-never-hold-your-breath

What is the first rule of scuba diving?

Breathe continuously and never hold your breath.

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  1. Breathe continuously and never hold your breath ✔
  2. Always dive at night with a light
  3. Never dive deeper than 10 feet

Why: Air in your lungs expands as you rise toward the surface. If you hold your breath, that air has nowhere to go and can injure your lungs. Keep breathing slowly and normally the whole dive.

Huh, didn't know that: Training agencies teach this rule on day one, before you ever breathe from a tank in a pool.

The dad joke
My scuba instructor said never hold your breath. So I stopped holding my breath for her jokes too.
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References

Answer: Breathe continuously and never hold your breath. Air in your lungs expands as you rise toward the surface. If you hold your breath, that air has nowhere to go and can injure your lungs. Keep breathing slowly and normally the whole dive.

  1. PADI: The Golden Rules of Scuba Diving blog.padi.com/the-golden-rules-of-scuba-diving
    The first rule of scuba diving is to breathe continuously and never hold your breath.
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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