Catchin' a buzz.

[Absolute]

Hello,

Sometimes after surfacing from a deep dive I will get what my diving buddy and I call the "Buzz" The feeling is simular to the one you get when you stand up to fast, you kinda get dizzy and numb.

This cant be good :naughty (even though it kinda feels good)

Is what we are experiencing a samba or the edge of a black out?
Is there any training or warm up's that can prevent this or am I just at the end of my current limits?

Thanks for the help,
Jay

 

[DeepThought]

I think this is an hypoxic buzz, as long as you don't lose control over your body (like shaking) it is not a samba.
I sometimes get those also though I find it hard to predict when I will get one (as I'm doing recreational freediving). Not always the longest/deepest/most excerting dive will produce one for me. I think the speed of the ascent in the last 10 meters is a factor - getting O2 sucked back into the lungs from the blood (common reason for SWB).

I considered that as a normal part of freediving and never considered them as a risk. I always feel in full control when I get them. Now that you brought this topic I'm curious as to how common and risky those are.
Good question.

 

[naiad]

I often get a nice warm relaxed feeling after static, which lasts a few seconds. I hope it's ok!

Lucia

 

[DeepThought]

The buzz I was talking about happens to me only in the last 2-4 meters till maybe the first few seconds on the surface. I think this is when my partners usualy get to see my lips turning blue, need to confirm that once.
Different thing for statics as there's no pressure change to induce this buzz.

 

[efattah]

This buzz/light-headedness is definitely caused by low oxygen to the brain.

Ways of delaying it or minimizing it (and thus decreasing risk of BO):
- Increase blood pressure by carb loading, superhydrating, eating more salt, eating less garlic/onions
- Being colder during the dive
- Crunching the abs and 'making your face go red' as you push blood into your head
- Decreasing the amount of time spent in the last 8 meters
- Improving brain hypoxia tolerance by the ATRC test or other method

 

[samdive]

if I feel that, I usually count it as a samba as it certainly means I am near the edge - not a feeling I would recommend chasing, enjoyable as it can be! Be careful!

S

 

[Absolute]

Thanks for the reply everyone.
Eric. When you say decreace time spent at 8meters is that on acent? Faster acent rate for the last 8m.(interesting) Why is that?
Everything else I understand, except for eating less garlic and onions. I can't wait to try the ATRC test!
Thanks for the time and the answers.
Jay,

 

[samak]

hi jay i have been checking out all the threads on diving techniques and you mention the atrc test .what is that . i also have heard good things about the suunto d3 watch which is great for freedives .does that watch have a function which aids in the rate of ascent to try and limit risk of blackout .do any of you folks use it to do apnea training.
cheers greg

 

[immerlustig]

hi samak (means fish, i guess??)

no watch is going to limit your chances of a bo. if you ever do a borderline dive there are a couple of things you rather focus on than checking ascent rate.

in any case, the watch won´t show the ascent rate on the display. you can calculate it later when you check the dive profile since all dives are logged.

regarding eric´s test, did you check the search function here?

cheers,

roland

 

[Absolute]

The D3 is ok. Sometimes you can't hear the alarm, buttons are not easy to press, and sometimes the time and date will just reset itself. None the less it is still a great tool.

For apena I use a regular stop watch. The timer up on the D3 is hard to read.

Here is the results from a ATRC test search. After my test I was light headed but did not bo.

Dive safe,
Jay

 

[samak]

thanks for the info .just a question - the term "pax to the max " - what does that mean .
cheers greg

 

[Absolute]

probably full inhale with packing until full. I do this to stretch out the lungs and chest while breathing up. Diving with a full pack is sometimes unconfortable for me.