Recognizing it's not about "getting more air" I've been trying to relax the CO2 sensor alarm and thoracic area to get rid of that unending need to breathe!
Over the past couple of months I grooved into a solid 1:3 breathing pattern by:

1. Max exhale flow, but still relaxed, at mid-pull on each arm
2. Reduce exhale flow by ~ 50% in arm recovery
3. There should be peak out-flow, just before roll to breathe in. This seems to supercharge the air out/in exchange.
4. Keep the chest area very relaxed at all times.

The above pulsing can be used for a 1:2 pattern as well, but it's more obvious on the 1:3.
Breathing is never forced. This is exhale flow control and timing that with muscle activation from the pull.

This pulse breathing is subtle but as I've practiced it, the better it seems to work. I haven't swam a whole lot this summer, yet feel super strong.
I posted a video on Instagram and you can see the 100% exhale flow just as my mouth breaks the surface (link below).

https://www.instagram.com/...rce=ig_web_copy_link

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