Bubbles in my stomach

[clarissa1]

Hi everyone

I went for another last pool session last night and I noticed for the 3rd time that when I go up to the surface I feel extremely "bloated". It feels like I have a huge big bubble stuck in my throat that I want to BURP out (sorry, not very feminine!) but I just can't seem to get all the gas out! I have no idea why this happens and it's really uncomfortable ! It spoiled my whole session and I dont want this to happen in OW.

Has anyone had this experience? I definitely didn't drink any coke before I went !

What can I do to prevent this and why does it happen??!:06:

 

[hvulin]

go slower, breathe normally and watch what (and how much) you eat before a dive

 

[clarissa1]

I dont think it has to do with food, cause I only ate a cheese sandwich that WHOLE day. It feels like bubbles get trapped in my stomach and thoat but when I'm at bottom I am able to get rid of it, but at the surface it's impossible.

 

[Blox]

Hi Clarissa1,

Maybe that's not bubbles but butterflies in your stomach

I think what may be happening is this:
While you dive, you are pretty much in a horizontal position. When you ascend, you are most probably moving into a vertical position. The air in your lungs has a tendency to rise, i.e. will thrive up/out through your throat. The ascent causes a decrease in ambient pressure, which results in the air in your lungs, previously somewhat compressed by the ambient pressure, gains volume and this, in combination with vertical position in the water may cause what you perceive as "a huge big bubble stuck in my throat".

IMHO Hvulin had good advice in saying you should go slow and continue breathing. As you will recall from your classroom sessions "keep breathing" is probably THE single most repeated thing the instructors had to point out, because breathholding during ascent can cause serious lung overexpansion injury. Continuing to breathe will result in the air pressure in your lungs being gradually adjusted in accordance with the prevailing ambient pressure.

So: "Keep breathing" and you'll be fine

 

[Dave in PA]

Sometimes you will swallow some air while diving, that air in your stomach will react just like the air in your lungs/bc as mentioned in your class and the above posts. If you need to swallow while diving, try to do it after an exhale. Otherwise, maybe practice burping....

 

[Santa]

plus tank air is pretty dry so it may somtimes yield a bit of a throatburn or feeling of indigestion.

 

[Scruffy Diver]

I agree with Dave in PA.
when i am breathing fast and shallow I tend to swallow air.
You can burp through your regulator.

 

[The Natural]

I burp all the time. Like everyone said, its just swallowed air expanding and working its way out.

 

[Divedoggie]

It is possible that you swallow air when you breath naturally at the surface. You have never realized this until now. Now that you are trying scuba diving. Be aware of your breathing in everyday life. Do you swallow air when stressed or excited?
You can carefully burp through a regulator. Let a couple of belches go as you ascend, or on your safety stop!

 

[MikeC]

Hi everyone

I went for another last pool session last night and I noticed for the 3rd time that when I go up to the surface I feel extremely "bloated". It feels like I have a huge big bubble stuck in my throat that I want to BURP out (sorry, not very feminine!) but I just can't seem to get all the gas out! I have no idea why this happens and it's really uncomfortable ! It spoiled my whole session and I dont want this to happen in OW.

The phrase "feminine" goes out the door when diving. You will deal with "boogers" and peeing in bushes. Burp if nature tells you to. Only a cheese sandwich?? Young lady, proper nutrition please but carbonated drinks, Coke or Pepsi, can cause issues. Spicy foods or things with beans watch for.

RELAX and enjoy.