Why three quick breaths?

SourChipmunk

SourChipmunk

SourChipmunk

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Was watching "The Abyss" the other night. There was a scene where Ed Harris' character was going to be swimming some distance underwater. Prior to diving he took three quick breaths. Does anyone know the logic behind this and, futhermore, has anyone done this themselves?
 
Have done it in the bath many a time.

Just a a guess but maybe the last 3 breaths are to get that little bit more unused air in the lungs a the last possible second.

my record for holding my breath in the bath is 1:45 just incase you wondered:p
 
It gets more more oxygen into the bloodstream I believe - sort of like hyperventilating only not as many breaths. More oxygen in the bloodstream plus all of that in the lungs mean you can hold your breath for longer.
 
I doubt it actually works. It's probably just psychological. we don't use all that much oxygen so a few quick breaths wouldn't achieve a lot.
 
Isn't it called air packing or something? I know people do it if the want to hold their breath for a long time, but apparently doing it to much is dangerous.

edit: lung packing:
Then there's lung packing, or "frog breathing." That involves taking very deep breaths and then squeezing more air into the lungs by additional breathing through the mouth. "Using a combination of hyperventilating and fuller lungs, they can postpone the onset of air hunger," Binks explains. "The mechanical ventilator used during our tests didn't allow them to use those techniques."
Click to expand...
http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2005/10.13/01-divers.html
 
Got taught this as a snorkeling technique when I took my diving qualification.

It doesn't actually take anymore air into your lungs than big deep breaths, it just causes a form of hyperventilation that stops you feeling you are running out of air as quickly, so can stay under longer.

It does warn that it can be dangerous due to the deceptiveness of it.
 
ElectroBlaster said:
What still makes me wonder is the liquid breathing scenes. Could this kind of technology be possible one day?
Click to expand...

I believe it's entirely possible now, the problem is that it's carcinogenic. I'd highly recommend the Abyss Special Edition which has the best "making of" section I've seen for any film. The scene with the mouse getting put in the liquid was real.
 
Mr_T said:
I believe it's entirely possible now, the problem is that it's carcinogenic. I'd highly recommend the Abyss Special Edition which has the best "making of" section I've seen for any film. The scene with the mouse getting put in the liquid was real.
Click to expand...

I will have to get that dvd then :)
 
I can see this turning out a "Who can hold their breath for the longest in the bath" thread :p

The PB's are all gonna come flying out... :p
 
it does work. you are filling the blood supply with oxygen which in turn helps you hold your breath for longer but dont take too deep a breath. Its the pressure build up which helps as it equalises against external forces in a greater manner than when your blood contains normal oxygen levels.
 
ElectroBlaster said:
What still makes me wonder is the liquid breathing scenes. Could this kind of technology be possible one day?
Click to expand...

It will work, but the problem is that you would need to get the fluid moving around which wouldnt work without tubes all inside your body, and getting O2 from water is harder...

entirely possible though
 
It brings in more oxygen into your body but most importantly it takes out a lot of the carbon dioxide which is what makes you want to take another breath. This is why it can be bad as if you do it too much and hold your breath you can pass out.
 
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