Weird breathing problem

[bureau13]

I have a weird breathing "problem" that no one else I know has, and it just now occurred to me that this would be a great place to ask about it.

For some reason, on many (but not all) dives, especially later in the dive or on second dives of the day, I seem to be unable to keep air from leaking out of my nose. My actual breathing will be fine, but I get a constant stream of bubbles from my mask because of this. I sometimes have to physically hold my nose to stop it. It has never really caused me any problems save the minor annoyance, but it is weird and I'm curious if anyone else ever has that symptom.

jds

 

[Guba]

Never heard of that particular problem, but it sounds like it's a problem with the epiglottis not completely sealing during exhalation. It doesn't sound as if it poses too much of a problem, since it's on exhalation. However, if it also takes place on inspiration, it could be another matter. The concern I see is that during inspiration you might be able to "snort" water that is in your mask or...heaven forbid...should you lose your mask through an accident and not be able to breath without sucking water through your nose. Have you tried removing your mask and seeing if you can breath through your reg with no problems? (I suggest you do this in a pool or extremely shallow and confined setting, by the way.)

 

[battles2a5]

Do you have an adjustable second stage? If so, try cranking it down some. If the cracking pressure is set too low (meaning turned out) the reg may be trying to deliver air when you aren't inhaling. So the air pressure is going out your nose. When it happens to me, I just adjust the reg and no more problem. If it is not adjustable, I would take it in for servicing and make the intermediate pressure is set correctly.

Hope this helps!
Ryan

 

[fire5man]

My good friend had a problem with this. He had a pin sized hole in the roof of this mouth from a procedure the had completed when he was an infant. I guess it never closed back up. He went to and ENT doc and got it fixed. I bet there are many things that could cause this problem you are having. It does not sound like this is yours. Go see and ENT, what could it hurt.

 

[bureau13]

Great suggestions, everyone. To answer a few questions...I do not believe this occurs on inhalations, I have breathed off the regulator without a mask before, although to be honest I don't think I've ever done so while having this problem...it doesn't always happen.

I do have an adjustable second stage...I don't THINK this is the problem, because I think I would be able to tell if it were venting air without me inhaling...wouldn't that be sort of like a free flow, just maybe less air? I will play with the adjustment next time and see if it has an effect.

Finally..the ENT. That's probably the best idea. Weird that it doesn't happen all the time, but maybe there's a muscle or something that is holding it (whatever it is) shut but which tires out after a while. At least the problem doesn't sound completely alien to all of you!

jds

 

[bottomfeeder22]

I don't get a constant stream, but i "involunatarily" exhale through my nose at times as well. Doesn't bother me.

 

[ClayJar]

To me, it just sounds as if you shouldn't have any flooding problems if you decide to sport a mustache. :biggrin:

 

[Scubakevdm]

I have a weird breathing "problem" that no one else I know has, and it just now occurred to me that this would be a great place to ask about it.

For some reason, on many (but not all) dives, especially later in the dive or on second dives of the day, I seem to be unable to keep air from leaking out of my nose. My actual breathing will be fine, but I get a constant stream of bubbles from my mask because of this. I sometimes have to physically hold my nose to stop it. It has never really caused me any problems save the minor annoyance, but it is weird and I'm curious if anyone else ever has that symptom.

jds

That's not a problem. Most people exhale a small portion of very breath through their nose. It keeps your mask equalized.

 

[bureau13]

I do actually. Hey maybe that's why my mask doesn't flood!

 

[bureau13]

It certainly hasn't seemed to be a problem so far, but I don't think its normal, at least not what is happening in my case. I actually can't stop it, when its happening, unless I hold my nose shut with my hand. Now this is starting to sound weird

jds

That's not a problem. Most people exhale a small portion of very breath through their nose. It keeps your mask equalized.