Swb

[primoz kosak]

I wonder if any of you experienced a shallow water blackout? How do you feel after the SWB? What is yours pattern for hyperventilation for each immersion when you dive several hours?

Thank's for replies about my lungs collapse question. I think, when the depth and pressure are so great and lungs became so small the blood fill the lungs to prevent chest breaking.

Primoz

 

[hydro]

I had only one swb in over ten years of diving. It is not a surprise that it happened when I started experimenting with hyperventilation before the dives. I was coming up after a long and deep dive and I clearly remember making it to the surface. I lost consciousness without any notice or warning and regained consciousness after an interval I can only assume was around 1 minute(?). I was a few feet underwater cramped, disoriented and drinking water. I remember trying to figure out which way was up and how blurry my vision was. With tremendous effort I managed to kick to the surface and breathe for my life.
It took barely a minute to feel as if nothing had happened.
I was careless and did not observe rule #1 of freediving: NEVER dive alone.
My 2 cents of advice is if you want to keep diving for many hours try to prepare for each dive with as little hyperventilation as possible and pace yourself so that you allow for recovery between dives.

Hydro

 

[Gattaca]

Wow! I've never heard of a solo diver surviving a SWB! It sounds like a very serious situation, even with a buddy watching your every move. Has anyone been diving with a buddy who suffered a SWB? I wonder how difficult it is to rescue someone under these conditions.

Nate

 

[hydro]

Nate
I haven't heard of another solo freediver surviving SWB either. I consider it the closest I've been to a miracle. Diving has never been the same after that. I still dive alone sometimes but I'm a thousand times more conservative on bottom times and depth.
I have a friend who had to be rescued from SWB. His dive buddy released the weight belt and pulled him to surface. From what the buddy said, the victim came to almost on its own (no CPR).

Hydro

 

[Cliff Etzel]

Take a look at this question in the forum

I had to post a response to this question due to the nature of it here in the forum.

Does SWB really exist?

Let me know what yor thoughts are on my response.

 

[Gattaca]

Cliff - I thought your reply was a little hard on the original poster, but clearly well intended.

Hydro - That is very interesting that SWB recovery usually occurs w/o CPR and, in your case, even while still submerged. I'm not sure how you managed, but I agree that you are very fortunate, and I'm glad you are still here to pass on your experience.

Just yesterday, I was reading about Terry Mass's son Lauren's fatal diving accident (I was a business major at CU-Boulder also, so I felt somewhat connected). It seems the more I hear about SWB, the more content I am to settle for dry apnea training on my couch!

You mentioned that you take more precautions as a result of your experience. Has your training progress suffered as a result of these measures? Thanks for your guidance.

Nate

 

[hydro]

Cliff- The reply was a bit harsh but the question was expressed in a rather inappropriate manner. So, I guess the tone was justified.

Nate- I was a young diver who counted on talent and bravado for impressive performance. I now feel so sorry for my previous attitude towards this beautiful but dangerous sport. The SWB incident was an opportunity to learn more about diving physiology and becoming more conscious of my body functioning and limitations. My diving has become more disciplined and my training more systematic and safe. Both my depth and bottom times have improved. But most importantly, I feel I am safer than before at any depth. I find it impossible to go alone and start doing 30m dives like I used to. Training out of the water is as important and I will substitute dry for wet training when I can't find anyone to go with me in the water.
I know daring is what attracts many people in this sport but this is nowhere near the essence of diving. Growth as a diver means increasing respect for the sea and for life -including ones own.

Hydro
NY, NY

 

[Cabo Kid]

I didn't know that Maas' son died. I'm sorry to hear that.

 

[Cliff Etzel]

Originally posted by hydro
Cliff- The reply was a bit harsh but the question was expressed in a rather inappropriate manner. So, I guess the tone was justified.

Nate- I was a young diver who counted on talent and bravado for impressive performance. I now feel so sorry for my previous attitude towards this beautiful but dangerous sport. The SWB incident was an opportunity to learn more about diving physiology and becoming more conscious of my body functioning and limitations. My diving has become more disciplined and my training more systematic and safe. Both my depth and bottom times have improved. But most importantly, I feel I am safer than before at any depth. I find it impossible to go alone and start doing 30m dives like I used to. Training out of the water is as important and I will substitute dry for wet training when I can't find anyone to go with me in the water.
I know daring is what attracts many people in this sport but this is nowhere near the essence of diving. Growth as a diver means increasing respect for the sea and for life -including ones own.

Hydro
NY, NY

I get a little defensive about the sport of freediving. It is near and dear to my heart - I don't worship it, mind you. But many questions that are asked are due to a lack of initiative to research more fully the sport and all aspects of it.

This tone in my responses will probably occur from time to time - it is the nature of who I am... I respect those who do their homework before asking questions and become quite annoyed by those who don't... especially on topics that have been well documented

Having worked in journalism as both a photographer and writer for as long as I have (10+ years), doing your homework is a skill that isn't taught much anymore. Instead we figure someone else will do the work for us... thus creating a lazy mind.

Opinionated... YUP! :head

BTW - I agree with you 110% - Growth as a diver means increasing respect for the sea and for life - including ones own.