I'm sure this is an old topic to many, but I keep seeing/reading conflicting or ambiguous things on this topic.

I'm still very much working on my efficiency in the water, and one of the big reasons seems to be my breathing. I don't think it's an endurance issue because if need be I can flip over and rest in backstroke for a bit to catch my breath.

I just can't figure out how to breathe. As I'm picking up the pace I've started breathing every 2 and that seems comfortable, though I'm practicing a better roll to the right so I can breathe left (now I tend toward roll left/breathe right).

What's lacking is any consistency in when/how I exhale. I've tried just holding and exhaling/inhaling above water, which does me in fairly quickly. I've also tried blowing bubbles underwater followed by a bigger exhale as I roll. I've also tried to have my exhalation done when the time comes to roll and inhale. None of them feel particularly comfortable, and within 200m or so I need a lap of backstroke to catch my breath.

I feel like if I just did one thing consistently it would help a lot, but I lack the experience to figure out what my one best thing is. I'll admit also that one of my phobias specific to OWS is that I will have fully exhaled underwater and when it comes time for a breath I'll get kicked/hit with a wave/whatever that then delays my breath.

God, I wish I didn't suck at swimming. Any thoughts?