What could this be?

[yoda4x4]

I went diving yesterday and at the end of my second dive I wanted/needed to practice mask removal skills. So, while I was down at ~ 30 feet, I had my buddy/instructor take a hold of my BC just to make sure I don't go bolting up to the surface. In any case, I proceeded by doing a partial mask clear... everything was AOK. Next, I did a full mask clear... a little difficulty but nonetheless AOK. Then, I did a mask removal and here's what happened. I got the mask off, got nervous like usual, but tried to remain calm. By the time I got the mask back on, I had alot of difficulty getting the air to come out of my nose to clear. I finally was able to get the mask clear. I had noticed that during this chain of events that I was breathing very heavy. Once I was done with the skill, I had a splitting headache and my lungs/sides kind of hurt. The lungs/side went away but I still have a slight headache (1 day later). What could this be? I have had this happen before, but not as bad. What is going on with me?

FWIW, I was breathing 30% Nitrox (although this has happened with air), and the water temp was ~ 53°F.

I really need to get this skill down, but this event doesn't make me want to do it again. Please help!!!

Thanks,
David

 

[MechDiver]

got nervous like usual, but tried to remain calm.
I really need to get this skill down, but this event doesn't make me want to do it again. Please help!!!

Thanks,
David

I'd say that pretty much sums it up. You're getting yourself hyper about the task even before you do it. The coldwater may have had some affect, but you most likely didn't have the mask off that long.
Hyperventilation, anxious, CO2 buildup.

Get in a shower with your mask, or use a bathtub, and do this until you realize it isn't a problem.

MD

 

[JDostal]

Just practice, practice, practice.

I actually like doing it - it's fun to freak people out with it. When we are on the easy portion of our dives (ie, no longer deep and dark...but shallow and sunny), I'll take my mask off and just play around w/ people. It's kinda entertaining...you get used to it after awhile. Of course, it never really bugged me in the first place, but the more you do it the more you'll get used to it and the less that it will bother you.

 

[pasley]

I agree with the previous post. Breathing rapid and shallow. The same thing will happen in running if you do not practice good breath control and force yourself to breah slow and deep. Rapid and shallow breathing leaves the most of the old air in the lungs resulting in C02 buildup and a pain in the side.

 

[simbrooks]

Practice in a pool if you can, or just spend some time in shallow water (you could even hold something to make sure you dont float up/down), possibly during safety stop on the anchor line, or out on a shallow shore dive. Just take your mask off for a time, dont think about putting it back on again. In fresh water you could open your eyes, salt i wouldnt recommend, nor if you have contacts. Try to get used to the feeling of cold water against your face without your mask, then once you feel your heartbeat has slowed down again and your breathing too, replace and clear. I do this once in a while to feel the water against my face. In the pool is really the best, particularly if it is outdoors and unheated - just like OW, use the snorkel for that as you have unlimited air, but if you do it in OW on compressed air make sure you have some way to stay at depth and enough air to do it!!

 

[yoda4x4]

Thanks for the replies and the tips. But it still doesn't address my biggest question/issue. Why did I get a headache that I still have today?

Do any of the medical pros have any insight into this?

Thanks,
David

 

[rcain1]

Yoda,
I myself like to get answers to my questions. Most of the times I will ask people who I think will be able to help me even though they are not “professionals” or Dr’s like in this case. But,,,,, when I want the no sh^& answer I ask a pro. I would call or make an appointment to see your health care provider.
I myself am about to post a thread on this topic and after I get some more info I will probably call and ask my Dr.

Not to bash anybody on this site but most are mot Medical Professionals.

 

[CelticRavenVA]

*Ok curse and scream here* I responded to this in the basic scuba fourm, and will retype it here, since that post was removed before I finished.

As for your mask clearing, a bit of background on me. I swam competivly for 10 years, and taught swimming for 5+ years to ages 5-25.

It sounds to me like you fall into a group that when your face is exposed to water you fear inhaling water though your nose. Try this out over a few days and let me know if you feel more comfortable.

Everyone has told you this is just practice to make perfect and they are right. Try this though and you will make perfect prior then you would before, and you will be more comfortable.

Get your mask, a pair of goggles and your snokle, and go to a pool. Almost any pool will work. Go to the shallow end, 3-4 feet or so.

First put on your goggles and swim around a bit... While you are doing this blow bubbles out your nose. If this feels odd to you keep going till it is normal.

Second, get your snorkle and keep your goggles on. Now swim around breathing from your snorkle with your nose exposed to the water. No holding your nose or pinching it off with your bottom lip. Get used to the breathing under water with your nose exposed. You can blow air out your nose at any point you wish. Most people breathing underwater when there mask comes off have a tendency at first to slightly inhale because the seal from the mask is no longer there. Sucking water though your nose hurts and is scary even when you are not used to it, and it just F-ing hurts even when you are used to it. Swim around like this till you are totally comfortable breathing like this.

Third, Ok you are almost there!!!! Now, we are gonna do some weird things, or what seem weird. While you are swimming around, take your goggles off and toss them aside. Don't pull your head out of the water (unless you have to) and keep breathing though your snorkle. Open your eyes and look around. At first this can cause a slight bit of panic because of of your senses isn't operating very good anymore (sight). I have found in some people this causes people to suck air into their nose. Relax, breath, and think!!!!! Your brain is your weapon on these drills don't go to battle unarmed!!! Where can you get air right now? Your mouth! Where can you push air out so you don't suck in sea water? Your Nose and Mouth. You are doing the exact same thing you did in the previous step, just now you can't see very well. Again do this till you feel comfortable. Then once you are comfortable, keep doing it till you are bored.

Ok you are almost there!!!! Grab your mask, and put it on. Don't attach your snorkle to it. You might have a friend help you with this and hold the snorkle above water for you. Fully flood your mask. You should be comfortable by now with water on your face for this. Flooded? Good, you still can't see, you can still breath, swim around. Continue to breath normal. Now, here is where you can have a friend help, Clear your mask, back under you go. Pull your mask off and remember THINK!!!!! Where can I breath from? Your nose was not the right answer.... Air in through the mouth and out though the nose and mouth! You will be fine, go ahead and put your mask on, clear it... see how easy that was?

After so much time in a pool, if water is touching my nose I have a steady stream of bubbles coming out it. Practice this for a few days, and you will get it down just fine! I helped a friend who was having some trouble doing the same thing and used this, which is only a modified version of what I used to teach swimming.

Now if you really want to get gung ho, start swimming laps to keep in shape with your goggles on. While doing this, do flip turns, you will be so used to being in the water and not fearing it on your face, in your nose, after a few years, one you will be in great shape, two you can drink through your nose if you really wanted to.


--- edit ---
Oh yeah the headache, I am going to take a shot in the dark here since I am not a doctor, and say you what I call flash shrank your sinuses in that cold water delivering an instant ice cream headache. It should go away with time, and a nice hot shower. I have had the same before, mine lasted 2 days it seemed. A DM that I know told me to get used to the water on the surface before I went down, by taking my mask off the letting my face get used to the water. It sorta helped.

 

[pescador775]

That was a good piece.....and good advice for a five year old. Not to say it isn't excellent and, apparently, time tested. However, the prerequisite for a diver is to LIKE salt water in the first place; to float, to swim underwater, to open the eyes underwater. A danger signal is when a kid insists on nose plugs or ear plugs. Anyhoo, something funny is going on with 'yoda' and I doubt that the average 'health professional' or whatever he might be called, would have a clue. If it's not a psychiatric problem then a physiological cause must be investigated. Unfortunately, 'Yoda' has presented very little information. I do know this, all the talk about carbon dioxide and such is crap. Freedivers swim all day doing similar stuff like hyper whatsis and love it.

Yoda, try tilting your head, bend your neck as much as possible when doing this and try exhaling through your nose. What happens? Quick question, do you have acid reflux issues or ear problems? Do you normally suffer from headache? Do you get a stitch in your side when running or lifting? How are your ears and sinuses? Do you have claustrophobia?

Some people spontaneously get chest pains resembling a heart attack. In fact, this is sometimes a spasm or temporary tightening of the chest wall/rib cage and mostly harmless however painful and frightening. It seems to be caused by 'nerves' or tense muscles and tendons. Some headaches are 'tension' related. Right now, I have no opinions as to your situation but might if more info is furnished.

However belated in life, the exercises given by Raven could still prove useful. IMO.

*Ok curse and scream here* I responded to this in the basic scuba fourm, and will retype it here, since that post was removed before I finished.

 

[H2Andy]

yoda, i agree with those above on two points:

1. if you are in any doubt, go see a medical professional and get checked out for that headache; but

2. it's probably nothing more than anxiety

if i were you, i would expose myself slowly to the stimuli again, first on the surface (a dry run...hehehe), then standing on the pool ducking your head to do it (that way you can stand up if you feel funny), then kneeling on the bottom in the shallow end, and so on, until you feel 100% confident doing it.

it's no big thing; it's happened to a lot of us.