THE DRAGON BREATH

In a wipeout scenario it’s vital that you fill your lungs with as much oxygen as possible.

As more oxygen helps you hold your breath underwater for longer.

We have a technique for this, it's known as the ‘dump breath’.

Let's take a closer look below:

WHAT IS A DRAGON BREATH.

A dump breath is a technique whereby you exhale/dump the air you have in your lungs completely, followed by a full, complete breath filling the lungs with fresh, oxygen rich air.

WHY IS THE DRAGON BREATH IMPORTANT

Before a wave is about to break on your head you take a deep breath and brace for impact.

But hang on a minute, was that a full breath? Or were your lungs already half full?

Most likely the latter.

And why is that?

It’s because you failed to remove the stale air already in your lungs ready for a full fresh intake.

This is very common for us surfers.

This is why the dump breath is so important, as it clears the lungs of stale air first, ready for a fresh intake of O2 rich air to come in.

With lungs filled to the brim with fresh air you’ll be able to stay underwater for longer.

HOW TO DO THE DRAGON BREATH

STEP 1: THE DUMP

It’s not rocket science but the aim is to get rid of everything in your lungs as quick as possible, so a forceful, deep exhalation is needed.

This should take no longer than about a second.

A fast, powerful exhalation of everything you’ve got.

STEP 2: THE INHALE

With lungs empty, now begins the inhale.

From the bottom up, fill your lungs with oxygen: belly, into chest, into shoulders, into throat.

A fast, powerful inhalation giving everything you’ve got.

This whole process should take no longer than a second.

WHEN TO USE THE DRAGON BREATH

You want to be ready to do the dump breath:

When a wave is about to break on you: Big dump breath before you go under.
After a hold down: Straight away after a hold-down the first thing you should do is the dump breath. Clear the lungs, ready for refill. Should a wave be about to break on your head again, you want a full set of lungs before you go under again.

WRAPPING IT UP

The dump breath is something that you should practice so that it becomes second nature in the water.

After every wipeout, and before waves breaks on you should be practicing this technique.

With practice you’ll be able to clear your lungs more completely, and fill them up more effectively and faster as a result.

And before you know it, this'll be your default response.

DRAGON BREATH

YOU MUST BE LOGGED IN TO ACCESS THIS COURSE

MODULE 1: UNDERSTANDING FEAR

CHAPTER 1: UNPACKING THE FEAR

CHAPTER 2: MANAGING TRAUMA

MODULE 2: PACIFYING THE FEAR

CHAPTER 1: MASTERING YOUR MIND

CHAPTER 2: BREATHE

BONUS: TRADIES TOOL BOX

MODULE 3: PRACTICAL

CHAPTER 1: EFFICIENCY

CHAPTER 2: FRONT LOADING

CHAPTER 3: THE PILOTS ROUTINE

CONCLUSION