Prone to trachea squeezes

[Apneaddict]

In an attempt to avoid any future trachea squeezes (spitting up a few specs / small amount of non-frothy blood), I've been doing uddiyana bandha most days, sometimes extending the neck moderately and often do exhale pool dives or tons of bubble-rings to empty lung at -3 to -5m and still sometimes spit a spot or two.

Is there any other exercise to Increase the flexibility of the trachea?

Am I just being too aggressive in my exercises already? It doesn't feel extreme... And I fear I may be prone to them.

I don't have a lot of opportunity to go deep, but want to be ready when I do and don't ways to get a squeeze on day 2 and lose a couple of days thereafter.

Anyone else battle the trache squeeze?

 

[x_yeti]

Make sure that you avoid:
- postural mistakes e.g. extending the neck when diving
- forceful equalizations
- freediving with colds or allergies
- medication that might contribute to weakening of the mucosal membrane e.g. decongestant sprays.

 

[azapa]

I have just come back from a month of training and depth competition, and had some trachea squeeze like symptoms (few flecks of darker blood) but no urge to cough and general perfect health etc.

I put this down to several things:
- too aggressive yoga (passive introflexion and forced - bhanda) combined with some stretches
- try to go too deep too quick (getting back to old PB 3 days after arriving)
- tension
- stupid movements, or combinations of disciplines (CNF/FIM after aggressive negative pulldowns)
- doing preparatory exercises alongside (and copying) 100m divers when my goals where only 60/70

after 2 weeks of suffering, I realized the above, and the problem almost completely went, I hit some great new PB's too, without issues.

 

[Apneaddict]

For me it's neck movements (looking up & down) that are the main diving culprit.

I think I'm just being too aggressive with stretches / uddiyana Bandha and forced exhale pool dives.

Less is more, I suppose.

 

[azapa]

I think the secret is a gradual approach. Start soft many months before a depth event and work up. If you make any mistakes you are still home and care and rest is easy. It's a huge mistake to try new ideas after traveling half way around the world to compete.