landshark_IPA
Registered
This thread is inspired by a recent find of mine related to "lung trainers". I did search the forums on this topic, but the threads and responses didn't quite hit on what I'm looking for. Please read the following details that setup the scenario and the reasoning behind my inquiry. I did see the numerous responses about how you "can't train your lungs". I get it, but the purpose of the trainers (at least for my scenario) isn't to train the lungs, but to strengthen the diaphragm to easily draw in air through a narrow opening (this will make more sense further down).
My primary Regulator is an Apex XTX50 setup pretty much at factory default (this summer marks it's one-year anniversary) with the fine breather dialed all the way out (easiest breathing) and I LOVE it. My secondary is a Scuba Pro 620Ti, also one-year old and factory setup, and it doesn't breathe quite as nicely (easy) as the XTX50; even dialed all the way out. Yes, I know my shop can tune these for me, that's not the point yet.
Over the past week, I changed out my mouthpiece from the factory Apex one to a moldable one by Jax. The very first dive I felt like I couldn't get enough air at the surface and aborted our decent. I thought it was nerves as it was a deep dive certification far out in the blue, but I was unable to get a satisfactory breath even after relaxing. I switched to my secondary and was instantly content with air flow. While calm and collected at our target depth, I switched regs again to test again if it was pre-dive jitters, however I instantly felt starved of air and soon switched back to my secondary. The only equipment change was the mouth pieces, so I compared the two on the surface (I kept the factory piece in my Save-A-Dive bag). That's when I noticed the orifice area of the JAX mouthpiece was some 50-75% smaller than the factory Apex one. I reinstalled the Apex mouthpiece and finished the dive weekend happy as a clam on my primary XTX50.
I've heard too many good things about the Jax moldable mouthpiece to blame the orifice size, so it must be something with me and my breathing. So here's the question... Should I take my regulators to the shop to be retuned with the new mouthpieces or is the issue with my breathing/fitness level? (I suspect I know the answer)
Would a "Lung Trainer" that uses air-flow restrictions be exactly what I need to breath happily with the Jax mouthpiece after some diaphragm strengthening, or could this be the results of poor fitness?
I have a computer job, so while I'm not heavy set, I'm not terribly active either, so I recognize how poor cardio MAY play into the situation. Though, it doesn't escape me that using the "trainer" to get comfortable with an air-flow restriction may be exactly what I need to replicate the restricted flow of the mouthpiece orifice. Or perhaps the solution requires implementing both solutions (weekly cardio plus the "trainer"). Input from those with experience or more knowledge regarding airflow would be helpful and appreciated.
I find it hard to believe that the proper route would be to have the shop tune the reg to deliver more air. I was already suspicious of my breathing habits by having both regs fine tuner dialed all the way out at surface.
Thank you in advance for reading this through.
My primary Regulator is an Apex XTX50 setup pretty much at factory default (this summer marks it's one-year anniversary) with the fine breather dialed all the way out (easiest breathing) and I LOVE it. My secondary is a Scuba Pro 620Ti, also one-year old and factory setup, and it doesn't breathe quite as nicely (easy) as the XTX50; even dialed all the way out. Yes, I know my shop can tune these for me, that's not the point yet.
Over the past week, I changed out my mouthpiece from the factory Apex one to a moldable one by Jax. The very first dive I felt like I couldn't get enough air at the surface and aborted our decent. I thought it was nerves as it was a deep dive certification far out in the blue, but I was unable to get a satisfactory breath even after relaxing. I switched to my secondary and was instantly content with air flow. While calm and collected at our target depth, I switched regs again to test again if it was pre-dive jitters, however I instantly felt starved of air and soon switched back to my secondary. The only equipment change was the mouth pieces, so I compared the two on the surface (I kept the factory piece in my Save-A-Dive bag). That's when I noticed the orifice area of the JAX mouthpiece was some 50-75% smaller than the factory Apex one. I reinstalled the Apex mouthpiece and finished the dive weekend happy as a clam on my primary XTX50.
I've heard too many good things about the Jax moldable mouthpiece to blame the orifice size, so it must be something with me and my breathing. So here's the question... Should I take my regulators to the shop to be retuned with the new mouthpieces or is the issue with my breathing/fitness level? (I suspect I know the answer)
Would a "Lung Trainer" that uses air-flow restrictions be exactly what I need to breath happily with the Jax mouthpiece after some diaphragm strengthening, or could this be the results of poor fitness?
I have a computer job, so while I'm not heavy set, I'm not terribly active either, so I recognize how poor cardio MAY play into the situation. Though, it doesn't escape me that using the "trainer" to get comfortable with an air-flow restriction may be exactly what I need to replicate the restricted flow of the mouthpiece orifice. Or perhaps the solution requires implementing both solutions (weekly cardio plus the "trainer"). Input from those with experience or more knowledge regarding airflow would be helpful and appreciated.
I find it hard to believe that the proper route would be to have the shop tune the reg to deliver more air. I was already suspicious of my breathing habits by having both regs fine tuner dialed all the way out at surface.
Thank you in advance for reading this through.