Air starved

[atownscubaman]

On my open water dive to become certified...i felt air starved.
It felt as if I wasn't supposed to breathe underwater. It felt as if I needed to come to the surface.

Is this normal

Please write me back

 

[Wreck]

Maybe you could be a bit more detailed in your symptom description and it would help us narrow down what might be causing this. Without really knowing what you mean, I coudl make some suggestions that might help you figure out how to describe what you feel.

Wearing tight neoprene can make it seem hard to breathe. You wouldn't notice this during your pool session since students may not wear that if the pool is very warm.

People that are close to or are hyperventilating might feel air starved.

Holding your breath a little bit will cause CO2 build-up and make it feel like you can't get enough air even after taking a deep breath. This is solved by breathing steadily as if you were above the surface. This is something that new students have to keep reminding themselves to do until it becomes second nature.

Also, if your 2'nd stage regulator is adjustable (has a knob on the left side) it may be turned a bit too far. This makes it hard to open the supply valve when you begin to take a breath. Also, the second stage may have an air flow assist feature (usually a sliding knob or lever in the same general location as the aforementioned knob) that can adjust the airflow when you are inhaling. Adjust it too far, and it will nearly push air into your mouth. On the other extreme, you might feel like you're trying to suck air through a small straw. Not all regulators given to students have these adjustments , but if yours does, try adjusting some until it feels easier to breathe with... before you're ready to dive again.

 

[Nay]

something else it may have been is your gear being too small. on my first OW dive, I nearly hyperventilated because my BC was too small and it was not only too tight but didn't have enough lift.
Once you've fixed and gear problems, just relax. No, we aren't supposed to breathe underwater, but we do and that's what makes it so cool.
The good thing is that you're asking other divers about it and didn't just walk away forever. Try it in the pool again or just go out into OW and float at 10 feet until you're comfortable. You'll get it.
Happy Diving

 

[jbd]

On my open water dive to become certified...i felt air starved.
It felt as if I wasn't supposed to breathe underwater. It felt as if I needed to come to the surface.

Is this normal

Please write me back

The other respondents covered most of the gear issues. It could be that you were experiencing some anxiety. OW is different than the safety of a pool. All kind of things like reduced visibility, cooler water, waves, surge effect and just the plain lack of familiarity with where you are at can heighten the fear of the unknown. These issues will diminish as you continue to dive and gain experience.

 

[mikswi]

You may want to asess your level of fitness. I am a very active person during the day but, I was used to activity that lasted no more then 3-4 minutes at a time. Walking, lifting etc,
After I started using a treadmill on a regular basis, my tanks started lasting allot longer.

You may just not be used to sustained activity, and by the time your halfway through the dive, your really just tired but percieve it to be an uncomfortableness with breathing underwater.

Just my .02

 

[daiboy1]

On my open water dive to become certified...i felt air starved.
It felt as if I wasn't supposed to breathe underwater. It felt as if I needed to come to the surface.

Is this normal

Please write me back

What you are experiencing is mild panic its nothing to worry about and it will pass concentrate your feelings on kit readiness check everything yourself twice then get your buddy to check you out remember.!
you can get a bold diver
but not an old bold diver

your nerves are what will keep you safe in your dive life.
keep it real .

hope this helps
Dai

 

[mike45orlando]

for me it was anxiety and panic and it started in the pool. I am now up to 15 dives after a recent cruise and am getting real comfortable. I needed more dives and experience before it became fun

mike

 

[crpntr133]

for me it was anxiety and panic and it started in the pool. I am now up to 15 dives after a recent cruise and am getting real comfortable. I needed more dives and experience before it became fun

mike

Suggestion if it is anxiety. I know this works because I was the same way.
When I did my first blue water dive I was nervous. The DM noticed and told me to surface swim out and then gradually deflate your BC. What this does is keeps your mind off the fact that you are under water and breathing. Instead you are watching the fish and what ever on the bottom. I still get this way when I go to someplace new to me. I do the above manuver and everything is ok.
This isn't as easy when it comes to pea soup dives but you can watch your buddy, gauges, whatever.

Good luck, don't give in and ask for help!!

 

[lamont]

Also, if your 2'nd stage regulator is adjustable (has a knob on the left side) it may be turned a bit too far. This makes it hard to open the supply valve when you begin to take a breath. Also, the second stage may have an air flow assist feature (usually a sliding knob or lever in the same general location as the aforementioned knob) that can adjust the airflow when you are inhaling. Adjust it too far, and it will nearly push air into your mouth. On the other extreme, you might feel like you're trying to suck air through a small straw. Not all regulators given to students have these adjustments , but if yours does, try adjusting some until it feels easier to breathe with... before you're ready to dive again.

The rental reg I had for my 2nd day of OW dives was adjustable, but the adjustment was only from "asphyxia" to "sucking through straw". Things got much better after I got my own regulator.

 

[alemaozinho]

your rental regulator sucked propably.