Breathing

[stopnik]

I have a quick and nagging question about breathing techniques. Everytime I try and practice quick and steady breathing -- it feels very fake to me. How do you get your timing consistent so it appears natural on the machine? Or am I thinking into the subject too much.

[George W. Maschke]

stopnik,

The breathing rates deemed "normal" by the polygraph community seem a bit rapid to me. Perhaps this is your experience, too. Nevertheless, the "normal" breathing rate described in Chapter 4 of The Lie Behind the Lie Detector is easily reproduced if one is careful not to breathe too deeply.

[Frog]

Just to clarify, in Behind the Lie Detector, you mention a breathing rate of 15-30 breaths per minute. Is a "breath" a complete inhale/exhale cycle, or just one part?

[George W. Maschke]

Yes, a breath is a complete cycle (inhalation and exhalation).