Dolphin blackout, opiate highs and strange taste statics

[Apneaddict]

I have a few random freediving questions that I thought I'd compile into one thread:

1) do dolphins ever blackout underwater... Or only us stupid humans?

2) has anyone else experienced an opiate-like high / feeling of inner peace & calmness after both a new depth, and / or a new pushed-to-limit static? I've had them for up to 48 hrs after a "big" personal best performance

3) I get a strange taste in my mouth after a long static. It's hard to describe, but I've now had it a few times. Is that just how dead brain cells taste, or is there something more interesting that explains it chemically.

That's all the random apnea questions that I have right now. Anyone have any insight?

 

[efattah]

1. Seals can blackout when they don't find their way back to a breathing hole under the ice. They always die in that case. A group of dolphins will sometimes try to drown a renegade dolphin by preventing him/her from breathing. The dolphin eventually does die, presumably this process would start with the dolphin blacking out.

2. I have had major 'highs' for 24-48h after PB's

3. Hyperventilating can produce a metallic taste in the mouth. I also have gotten a metallic taste in my mouth on extremely deep dives.

 

[patbrassil]

Idk about anyone else but i have a major high after a day of spearfishing. Even my friends have noticed it, and can usually tell i've been diving (still not sure if the can smell the wetsuit stink or if it's the sharp decrease in my iq.) I have always attributed it to prolonged periods of oxygen deprivation, not really sure if there is any science to back it up though.

 

[Simos]

No idea about dolphins but if you mean blackout because they accidentally 'overcooked' a dive, I find it very unlikely. If something keeps them under then yes.

Regarding 'highs' I don't think it's specific to freediving, there are highs with any personal achievement.

Many report metallic taste - don't remember getting it but I think dead brain cells taste like bbq chicken

 

[patbrassil]

No idea about dolphins but if you mean blackout because they accidentally 'overcooked' a dive, I find it very unlikely. If something keeps them under then yes.

Regarding 'highs' I don't think it's specific to freediving, there are highs with any personal achievement.

Many report metallic taste - don't remember getting it but I think dead brain cells taste like bbq chicken

I think the high you are talking about it is an endorphin high. I am very familiar with these highs from other sports i've participated in through my life; but at least the post dive high i get is quite different. I get a numbing, dazed sensation, i laugh at almost anything, and am usually in a state of bliss. I know my dive partner gets the same sensation and both of us agree it's not the same as some of the other endorphin induced highs we have both experienced. Idk just my input, like i said i've got no scientific basis for my thoughts on it, I love the feeling and look forward to it after a good day of diving.

 

[Simos]

I think the high you are talking about it is an endorphin high. I am very familiar with these highs from other sports i've participated in through my life; but at least the post dive high i get is quite different. I get a numbing, dazed sensation, i laugh at almost anything, and am usually in a state of bliss. I know my dive partner gets the same sensation and both of us agree it's not the same as some of the other endorphin induced highs we have both experienced. Idk just my input, like i said i've got no scientific basis for my thoughts on it, I love the feeling and look forward to it after a good day of diving.

I don't know either whether it's an endorphin high I am talking about but I remember vividly times when I was really buzzing after a great dive (for me).

It happened to me in static for example when I had done one of my most relaxed statics and when I came up I realised that I had also smashed my PB. I remember I was almost emotional when I was told the time, hence my comment about being linked to achievement as opposed to specific to freediving. I sometimes get a similar 'buzz' after climbing... Could be different than what you are experiencing.