Dynamic Apnea - The Urge to ... Pee ?!

[lisabeeren]

G'day,

I've been practicing dynamic apnea in the local (heated) pool. I've found that after a long... dive do you call it? ... swimming laps under water isn't really diving is it?
Anyhow, after a long swim, my bladder really feels like it wants to relieve itself.

If I do relieve myself, and 'dive' again, same thing.

Is this something to do with vasoconstriction, and the body channeling blood away from things like the bladder (which get fatigued)...?

Does anybody else get this?

with thanks

 

[ggarrett]

Howdy,

I appreciate your likening of dynamic apnea more to swimming than diving. I came to dynamic apnea through swimming while I have observed most folks come to it through diving, especially scuba. Without fins in particular, dynamics is more like swimming. Regardless, in the end , it all boils down to apnea.

About the urge to pee: in my opinion, apnea causes a reaction in the nervous system to the lower body that affects the bladder and other lower organs. I have found my most of my best dynamic "swims" happened on an empty bladder, an empty colon, and after making love. Could it be that when the lower organs are full, they require more blood, oxygen, and energy? And an empty lower body is more conducive to apnea? I am sure there will be some opinions on this.

There's a fairly technical thread going on now about vasoconstriction (http://forums.deeperblue.net/showthread.php?t=66811). However, I still believe that the urge to pee is related more the immediate effects of apnea on the nervous system rather than on the arterioles constricting blood to the bladder. That is, the urge to pee is a loss of nervous control -if that makes sense. On the other hand, nerves also trigger the arterioles to constrict as well. Just an opinion to take or leave...

Also, I have found that this urge has lessened as I have practiced more. Maybe it's conditioning. I hope this helps. In any event, welcome. It's good to have another swimmer-apneaist aboard.

In peace,
Glen

 

[Waterysmile]

I've found that when I'm pushing it on a dynamic near the end when I want to breathe but keep going it is almost an involuntary urge to pee and I have to concentrate to hold it!

 

[BennyB]

It's called Immersion Diuresis, there's a good summary of it here
http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/faq/faq.asp?faqid=165

In apnea it tends to come on a lot quicker and stronger than just immersion by itself (ie. breathing). It's a reasonable indicator that your dive reflex is working.

Cheers,
Ben

 

[DiverTodd]

Whew, I'm glad I'm not the only one that gets this! Although, it happens to me during both dynamic AND static. Probably another reason I can't do very good statics upon waking in the morning, doing them before even getting out of bed; too many, uh, "areas" are full, and they tend to really act up as the hold progresses.

Todd

 

[Waterysmile]

That's a good point DiverTodd, I had forgotten about one or two of those extreme statics where the same thing happened. It's a relief to know it happens to others, but you don't want to bring up the topic!

 

[naiad]

None of that happens to me, I must be one of the lucky ones. I like my dry statics to stay dry!

 

[wet]

G'day,

I've been practicing dynamic apnea in the local (heated) pool. I've found that after a long... dive do you call it? ... swimming laps under water isn't really diving is it?
Anyhow, after a long swim, my bladder really feels like it wants to relieve itself.

http://forums.deeperblue.net/images/smilies/rofl_neu_test.gif
roflIf I do relieve myself, and 'dive' again, same thing.

Is this something to do with vasoconstriction, and the body channeling blood away from things like the bladder (which get fatigued)...?

Does anybody else get this?

with thanks

Apparently this is an ancient tradition?
Dion Casii provides fascinating evidence about the use of "Urinators"
(that's what divers were called in ancient Rome). rofl