Lopez116
Contributor
I had what I would call a full blown panic attack on a dive today. I was always puzzled by a diver’s urge to spit out the reg and bolt to the surface and never thought it was possible that I would feel that way; until today.
Was on a shore dive in pretty intense current today. We swam into the current for maybe 20 yards, hid in a cavern-like spot to catch our breath, continued on another 25-35 yards into the current, took refuge again behind a coral head, went on another 10 yards or so, and then “flew” with the current almost back to the start and did it over again with a 5 min break of resting in between.
When I approached the point where we turned around the second time, I felt an incredible sensation that I could not breathe enough. It sounds weird but it felt like my throat was super dry, like I needed to swallow, and like I couldn’t get that deep breath of air - like I was just breathing in/out but it wasn’t having a measurable effect on alleviating my shortness of breath. I felt myself getting more and more anxious and could feel my body getting warm and tingly and my heart rate getting faster and faster. I felt like I needed to take a sip or water or breathe ambient air without my reg in. The urge to spit out my reg and get to the surface felt very strong so I signaled my buddy that I wanted to turn around now and abort the dive immediately.
I kept my hand on my second stage to physically remind myself not to spit it out no matter what and I ascended slowly, did my safety stop (where I finally calmed down), and ended the dive.
Max depth was 55’, avg probably 50’, temp 84, viz 40-50’, current very strong
I have near 300 dives to date and while I’ve experienced anxiety on dives before, nothing like this. I’m a little shooken up to be totally honest, and a little nervous about diving my next dive (whenever that is).
During the dive, I was working hard for most of it. Short of breath a lot, but not extremely. I always thought you “can’t overbreathe a regulator” (I have a Legend LX), so I wasn’t really concerned about that. I knew logically I was getting enough air. I also make concerned efforts to breathe out for a good length of time (maybe even longer than inspiration) to avoid CO2 retention.
I am 35, 6’0”, 206 lbs. I am overweight, but not obese. Admittedly, I do little exercise when not diving, other than go on daily walks of about 1.5 miles.
Is this a case of CO2 retention?
Overexertion?
Detuned reg?
Poor physical fitness?
Thanks for any insight or advice.
Was on a shore dive in pretty intense current today. We swam into the current for maybe 20 yards, hid in a cavern-like spot to catch our breath, continued on another 25-35 yards into the current, took refuge again behind a coral head, went on another 10 yards or so, and then “flew” with the current almost back to the start and did it over again with a 5 min break of resting in between.
When I approached the point where we turned around the second time, I felt an incredible sensation that I could not breathe enough. It sounds weird but it felt like my throat was super dry, like I needed to swallow, and like I couldn’t get that deep breath of air - like I was just breathing in/out but it wasn’t having a measurable effect on alleviating my shortness of breath. I felt myself getting more and more anxious and could feel my body getting warm and tingly and my heart rate getting faster and faster. I felt like I needed to take a sip or water or breathe ambient air without my reg in. The urge to spit out my reg and get to the surface felt very strong so I signaled my buddy that I wanted to turn around now and abort the dive immediately.
I kept my hand on my second stage to physically remind myself not to spit it out no matter what and I ascended slowly, did my safety stop (where I finally calmed down), and ended the dive.
Max depth was 55’, avg probably 50’, temp 84, viz 40-50’, current very strong
I have near 300 dives to date and while I’ve experienced anxiety on dives before, nothing like this. I’m a little shooken up to be totally honest, and a little nervous about diving my next dive (whenever that is).
During the dive, I was working hard for most of it. Short of breath a lot, but not extremely. I always thought you “can’t overbreathe a regulator” (I have a Legend LX), so I wasn’t really concerned about that. I knew logically I was getting enough air. I also make concerned efforts to breathe out for a good length of time (maybe even longer than inspiration) to avoid CO2 retention.
I am 35, 6’0”, 206 lbs. I am overweight, but not obese. Admittedly, I do little exercise when not diving, other than go on daily walks of about 1.5 miles.
Is this a case of CO2 retention?
Overexertion?
Detuned reg?
Poor physical fitness?
Thanks for any insight or advice.