OK, so here's the story... Got the wife interested enough in diving to take her OW cert. After that, every dive she's been getting headaches. Her instructor and I have been thinking these headaches are caused by skip-breathing. She also has issues with buoyancy especially at the end of a dive with an AL tank. I have been trying to work with her on the skip-breathing, but no luck. Does anyone have any suggestions? She's really motivated now, and I don't want her to lose interest and give up. Thanks a bunch.
Wife having issues?
- Thread starter guamguy
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It's possible that the headaches are not caused by breathing but that's the usual suspect.
Try telling her that it's just as important to breathe all the way *out* as it is to breathe all the way *in*. Maybe that will help.
R..
Try telling her that it's just as important to breathe all the way *out* as it is to breathe all the way *in*. Maybe that will help.
R..
Wrong place for medical advise like this. Call a doc!
Gary D.
Gary D.
My suggestion is that you take a breather and let her instructor deal with this. There is a strong corollary between new divers with persistent issues and overbearing buddies. Make sure you make it possible for her to tell you she isn't comfortable with the pace you are setting - or just doesn't want to dive, period. Generic encouragement and support is great but many significant others (spouses, parents, etc.) don't realize just how much pressure they are putting on their loved ones to succeed. Give her room to breathe.
Headaches are usually caused by poor breathing (CO2 build-up) and stress. It sounds to me more like she's top-breathing than skip-breathing but that's hard to diagnose without being in the water with her. Top-breathing is definitely a sign of stress. In any case, if she learns to relax and breathe slowly and deeply the headaches will go away. Right now her subconscious may be using the headaches as a way to get out of diving so be a good role model and relax. Pushing usually only makes it worse.
Headaches are usually caused by poor breathing (CO2 build-up) and stress. It sounds to me more like she's top-breathing than skip-breathing but that's hard to diagnose without being in the water with her. Top-breathing is definitely a sign of stress. In any case, if she learns to relax and breathe slowly and deeply the headaches will go away. Right now her subconscious may be using the headaches as a way to get out of diving so be a good role model and relax. Pushing usually only makes it worse.
Is there any other situations when you really like to do something and she gets a headache?
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John_B
Grasshopper
I had this when I was first learning and I think it was all nerves and stress. I was just too tense and as John_B said, improperly weighted so not relaxing and finding bouyancy. Two things really helped me -- I took a Peak Performance Bouyancy class and learned to trim nicely. And I took yoga classes topside and learned to breathe more deeply with full exhales. I practice my yoga breathing while diving and now come up with more air than anyone on the boat but more importantly, no headaches. Still, as others have said, first check that there's no medical problem.
riffraf
Guest
Too tight wet suit? Can lead to top breathing.
Proper buoyancy check at start? Maybe re-check at end of dive? Try re-weighting with 600 psi?
Agree with others on anxiety or improper motivation to dive issues. Let the instructor handle and assess.
Proper buoyancy check at start? Maybe re-check at end of dive? Try re-weighting with 600 psi?
Agree with others on anxiety or improper motivation to dive issues. Let the instructor handle and assess.
don Francisco
Contributor
Lot's of good possibilities listed above, to which I'll add the possibility of tension or sinus headaches. Since there are also bouyancy issues, I suggest hiring an instructor or divemaster to work with her for a few dives.
BTW- It isn't always the case but teaching your wife to dive can be very stressful for both of you. Sort of like teaching her or your teenager to drive might be. Often, things go much more smoothly with an outsider where other issues, like pride and ego, don't get in the way.
BTW- It isn't always the case but teaching your wife to dive can be very stressful for both of you. Sort of like teaching her or your teenager to drive might be. Often, things go much more smoothly with an outsider where other issues, like pride and ego, don't get in the way.
I don't have a wife at this time. Mine went about 15 years ago, bless her soul and may she rest in peace. But if she was around and diving she would be telling everyone on the boat including the captain, DMs, instructors and other divers what to do and we'd all have a headache.
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