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Empty lung pool training risks (e.g. lung and sinus squeeze) -request for help

Thread Status: Hello , There was no answer in this thread for more than 60 days.
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J

JohnJ

New Member
Nov 22, 2013
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I have been doing empty lung static and dynamic pool exercises with a partner. After one intense session of many extended empty lung static and dynamic sets, I was spitting up blood. I had my lungs x-rayed and it appears that I had some pulmonary edema. I have also had sinus bleeding regularly after the sessions.

I am trying to evaluate whether this training method is safe to continue. I would be most grateful for your feedback on the following:

Is a lung squeeze possible in shallow water when doing empty lung training? Does it seem that this is what happened to me?
Is this a dangerous training technique in the pool? If so, what risks, possible negative outcomes should I be aware of?
What safety precautions would you recommend?

Thank you very much for you feedback and support!!
 
Reactions: Kars
Yes you can get squeezed, you did. Exactly what kind of squeeze isn't clear.
Yes its dangerous

All the way empty especially when reverse packing works quite well for some things(personal opinion), but you need to be VERY careful with the technique. It is extremely easy to get injured and it happens fast, with little warning. Recovery from injury can be very slow. Do some searching, there is a lot on the forums on this subject.

More later.

Connor
 
Reactions: Kars
Sounds like you are sensitive to squeeze type injury. Sinus squeeze pretty sure, could also be trachea or lung squeeze. Probably a good idea to discontinue this line of practice and find something safer for your lungs and without so much BO risk.

Empty lung dives in a 4 meter pool are very good for promoting flexibility and ability to equalize deep, but they are not the only way. If deep equalization is your goal, dry stretching can go a long way with far less risk. PM if you want more info. For promoting breathhold ability and hypoxic resistance, there are also better safer ways.
 
Reactions: Kars

Conner, thank you so much taking time to share your experience and knowledge on these issues. I really appreciate it! I will look through the forums as well. Aloha, J
 
OP, one most important thing about FRC or relaxed exhale diving is the speed of descent and progression from shallow to deeper dives. You get squeezed because there was not enough time for blood shift. FRC does not work without blood shift. Sorry to hear about your trauma, really you should be beached for a few months now for proper recovery. Do more reading, can't get enough of knowledge about this sport, every bit I learn turns out vital later on. Pool is obviously the safest place to practice, but then, you can get squeezed at 10 feet perhaps, if you force the exhale and dive quick right to the bottom on your first dive.
 
Reactions: Kars
on last apnea dive i have squeez i diver over 40 m (43m) which period i can not dive
 
Excellent comments Connor and Andrew.

Also Thank you John J for sharing your story, warning others!

With Connor's and Andrew's information what do you now think went wrong in your particular case John?

In general (to the new freedivers) :
I've shared the pool and open water with novices, and often people give me the impression that they are not used to listening to their body's sensations, only stopping when something hurt much or injures. Freediving surely helps and forces people to become more keen on listening to their body. I wish instructors would make that a more central point.
 
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