Hypercapnic feeling

[blueface]

While diving today there was a strong current so we had to swim pretty hard and we were diving 60 to about 85 ft. I was feeling hypercapnic and uncomfortable due to the Co2. I build it up on the swims and then my bottom time is short. My question is, is it okay to purge just a little to bring the level of CO2 to normal? or should I just recover a little longer?

Thanks

 

[DivingDane]

chances are if you aree high in CO2 is because you have been working to overcome the current, which means you are burning O2.

so yes you are high in CO2 but probably also lower than normal in O2, so a longer recovery is a much better option than hyperventilating to bring the CO2 back down,

its not just the gas issues but your heart rate also needs timeto slow down again after fighting the current, no point in diving on ok O2 and CO2 but having a hammering heart! you'll chew O2 like its going out of fashion.

spend another minute on the surface.

or get dropped off up current and drift with it.

DD

 

[blueface]

chances are if you aree high in CO2 is because you have been working to overcome the current, which means you are burning O2.

so yes you are high in CO2 but probably also lower than normal in O2, so a longer recovery is a much better option than hyperventilating to bring the CO2 back down,

its not just the gas issues but your heart rate also needs timeto slow down again after fighting the current, no point in diving on ok O2 and CO2 but having a hammering heart! you'll chew O2 like its going out of fashion.

spend another minute on the surface.

or get dropped off up current and drift with it.

DD

That's what I thought. Thanks for the response. We really should have a boat man on days like that.

Skip

 

[sunfish]

That's what I thought. Thanks for the response. We really should have a boat man on days like that.

Skip

Or if it's possible to anchor, a trail line to hang on while relaxing and breathing up.

 

[blueface]

Yes, to trail a line is a good idea. We usually anchor the boat and swim into the current to cover more ground (spearfishing) and we often trail a line astern anyway. Thanks sunfish.

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