dizzyness

[Bubbletrubble]

thanks alot for replying. can Co2 retention cause dizziness? and by saying co2 retention is this breathing,and not completey letting out your full breathe?

@chrissouthcott: Yes, CO2 retention can cause dizziness (the light-headed variety) in addition to a variety of other symptoms. Yes, shallow breathing can induce CO2 retention. Full exhalation improves alveolar gas exchange conditions for CO2 to diffuse out of the blood and into the air inside your lungs.

everytime i dive i generally use more air than most people as im 87kg and not a small frame, so i try perserving my air comsumption slightly more (and i dont mean holding my breathe, but really long breathes) do you think this could be causing some dizziness?

Stop trying to conserve air. Relax. Breathe normally. Establish neutral buoyancy and spend most of your dive hovering. Doing these things will help you conserve your gas far more than altering your breathing patterns. If you're consciously thinking about your breathing pattern underwater, you're doing something wrong. Much of the time, I'm just as relaxed while diving as I am at home while sitting on the couch.

also out of the 2 dives the 1st dive when i felt dizziness i was on penicillin for an infected cut on my leg. although the 2nd dive i made sure i was off the anti biotics and fully hydrated etc etc.. although im thinking i phycologically went into the dive, worrying slightly.

It's not a good idea to go diving in the ocean with any open wounds. This slows healing and potentially allows other microbes to infiltrate the wound site and cause a concomitant infection. Better to take a break from diving until the skin heals.

I hope that the OP follows up with more information regarding his case.

 

[Madacub]

Some information from the May 2009 issue of "Diver". Diving Medicine column by Dr David Sawatzky.

"If a diver suffers a perforation of their eardrum while diving, the rush of (usually cold) water into the middle ear can cause severe vertigo (spinning sensation), disorientation (the diver does not know which way is up), and vomiting via unequal caloric stimulation of of the semi-circular canals. This can have very serious consequences for the diver - such as embolism or drowning. After 20-30 seconds the water will warm up to body temperature and the symptoms will largely go away. The secret is to stay still and wait for the water in the middle ear to warm up."

Seems to explain my experience very well.

 

[cutlass]

This effect can also happen with an intact eardrum. The common buzzword is "caloric reflex".