DMC Problem

[BARdiver]

OK this maybe one of those real dumb questions but here goes. I've almost completed the DM course and one of the last things I have to finish..is the 800 yrd snorkel swim. I've tried it a couple times and keep having issues with breathing on the snorkel that long. Never have issue with Scuba, but this last time at a little over 500 yrds stared coughing up flem. I'm going to try sudifed a couple hours before my next attempt. Anyone else have this type of issue? If so what worked? This was my 3rd try (yeah I'm going for the record), my instructor is very pacient with me.

 

[TSandM]

What kind of snorkel are you using? I would definitely go for a simple one, with no ball valve or cap or anything to increase work of breathing.

You need to use the same kind of breathing pattern on a snorkel that you do on scuba . . . long, slow, deep breaths, rather than rapid, shallow breathing.

 

[ScubabunnyCR]

As TSandM mentioned try a nice simplified snorkel with a purge valve close to the mouth piece and no cap etc to make your job harder, You do not need to swim super fast" slow and steady, with consistent slow deep breathing and you should be fine. Good luck!

 

[Islandheart]

Many folks run into the same issue where the snorkel becomes the weak point on surface swims.

I agree that a simple design is best, no purge or fancy dry-top arrangement.

But for me, the larger the bore, the better. Sometimes the constricted diameter of the tube, can cause too much resistance in moving air through the snorkle.

I know one guy that to practice with a snorkle, took a nose clip and put that on, put the snorkle in his mouth and used a head band to hold the snorkle in place and just sat and did breathing relaxation to get more comfortable with the resistance of his snorkle. Yea, corny but it worked for him.....

Kinda like going from a great breathing reg to a crappy one ..... ukkkkk

But just relax, breath deep and smooth and you'll get it done.

Good luck !

 

[TMHeimer]

Small bore & out of swimming shape equalled a "2". Big bore and "buff"(?) equalled a "3" even at age 56.

 

[BARdiver]

Thanks for the input, may try the simpler snorkle been using a dry snorkle (it's what I have)

 

[Divemastersintraining]

Let us know if the different snorkel helps! Good luck

 

[DBailey]

If you are with PADI, do you "need" the points or is completion the only factor? If you don't need the points, perhaps slowing down some will help.

 

[BARdiver]

Got it done and got 3 points. I did the long slow breathing, still had a lot of flem by the end but it's over. Now to finish the map and 1 Discover Scuba and I'm done. My instructor is already talking up the Assiant Instructor.