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How to Make Bubble Rings Underwater
If you blow an underwater bubble ring, defined as a rotating toroidal (donut-shaped) vortex, it has no purposeful benefit for fish or for the environment.
Nevertheless, making air rings like whales and dolphins do is a fun trick. It also looks pretty cool in "scuba diving circles" too!
Step-by-Step Guide to Blow a Bubble Ring
Some scuba divers create a ring-shaped bubble circle to impress their dive buddies (or themselves).
Once you learn how to make ring bubbles underwater, you'll also have a fun way to count down the safety stop at the end of a dive.
Here's the thing:
First, let's explain the physics of forming an air ring "donut". You can make bubbles underwater by manipulating the flow of air and water.
Hence, in the same way that dolphins create a swirling vortex to blow the bubble ring structure, divers can also use either their mouth or the scuba regulator to expel a burst of air and create a vortex ring. So why does it form a circle or halo underwater?
In simple terms, releasing a bubble of air in a controlled way makes the surrounding water move like a whirlpool in a circular motion.
The result is a spinning donut-shape pocket of air. As the rotating movement starts to stabilise the air ring, it often maintains its torus shape as it rises to the surface.
But wait - there's more:
This spinning vortex effect continues to pull water along its edges. This is what creates "surface tension" and the resultant spinning motion.
The pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the ring helps to prevent the air from dispersing too quickly.
How Do Divers Blow a Bubble Ring?
Before you learn how to make ring bubble circles underwater, the most important step for beginners is being able to achieve neutral buoyancy (e.g. via the Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty course).
All novice divers should practice until they can maintain a "fish-like" motionless state of hovering. Doing so is the essential ingredient for bubble blowing because turbulent water or jerky body movements will spoil the outcome.
It's best to practice neutrality in the mid-water. But the actual spurt of ascending air is better performed while lying face up (e.g. on a sandy ocean floor).
1. Relax on your back with a deflated buoyancy controller (BCD). Make sure you are horizontal and far away from any delicate marine life, such as soft corals.
2. Slowly inhale a healthy amount of air. Some scuba divers feel more relaxed if they hold the dive mask in place at the same time.
3. Carefully remove the breathing device (scuba regulator). Remember to keep hold of it for safety reasons. Try to empty your mouth of excessive saliva by cautiously swallowing it.
4. The next step is an important part of the exercise and it may take a few attempts to get it right. Tilt your head backward and look directly upwards towards the surface of the water. If your head is angled (even slightly) the ring shape will not materialise effectively.
5. Bring the air from inside your lungs to fill your mouth and cheeks and make a short forceful puff of air outwards and water bound. The technique requires you to make an "O" with your mouth using a short "puff" like you would when you blow a smoke ring (rather than making a long exhalation).
This part is important:
Close your mouth sharply afterwards and check to see if the vortex ring formed successfully. The goal is to create a donut-shaped circle similar to the smoke rings blown by some cigarette users.
There is no need to formulate the bubble with your lips or cheeks. The physical effect of blowing short sharp bursts of compressed gas underwater creates a circular ring of air with a hole in the middle - known as the "doughnut bubble ring".
You can blow bubble rings while submerged in a swimming pool, lake, or ocean. But, bubble rings are better - and more dramatic - when blown from deep water.
Expert Tips for Creating the Perfect Bubble Ring
- Practice blowing rings in water that doesn't have excessive turbidity and sediment particles.
- Strong water movement, especially ocean currents, will make it more difficult to achieve the rounded shape.
- Often, the first few squirts of air are more successful than breaths made when you're close to full expiration.
- Ask your dive buddy to supervise you for safety. They can witness your perfect bubble and record it on video or make a YouTube Clip.
Unless you're already an expert (e.g. a dolphin) you may need to work with this technique at different depths and in different water conditions. However, once you've mastered the application you will become a top rated awesome bubble blower.
Here's a few more advanced moves to try once you know how to blow a basic bubble ring underwater:
- Double Rings: Try blowing a second ring quickly after the initial one.
- Merging Rings: Have a go at making two or more rings collide and combine as they ascend to the surface.
- Spinning Rings: You can use your hands to twist the ring into the shape of a spiral.
Scuba Regulator Method
- Remove the mouthpiece and hold the regulator underneath your chin. Position it so that it's angled slightly facing up towards the surface.
- Gently push the purge button and release a small puff of air to let the bubbles rise.
- With a little practice, you can also create multiple bubble rings by controlling how often you make the bursts.
Pro Tip: Altering the amount of air that you release in each blast means they will rise at varying speeds. Always remember to stay safe and enjoy the process. You can also search online for videos of dolphins creating bubble rings for extra entertainment.