[naiad]

I have noticed something different but which may be related. When I put my face in water which is anything less than warm (below 28C) I get an immediate strong urge to breathe. If it is even a bit colder (below 25C) it is accompanied by strong contractions, so I really have to stop myself trying to breathe in. It only happens the first time I put my face in the water, then it goes away. It is different from the urge to breathe which happens when I hold my breath, because that is a more general feeling, even when it is very bad, while the cold water feeling is a specific urge to breathe in.

It feels awful and makes it really difficult to even go swimming. I find it much harder to deal with than the normal 'struggle phase' of apnea.

I admire anyone who does open water diving in cold countries!

Lucia