I was speaking to Paul Kotik this morning about a minor lightness (I noticed no other symptoms), I perceived at the top of my head during some of those scooter dives a few days ago. I wondered if it might have been the product of an improper breath up and recovery (seemed normal), inadequate surface interval (went to ten+ minutes), inadequate hydration (could have drank more) or ???
One of his points was that unless I was used to going to that depth on breath hold dives in that frequency the attendant stresses could bring out something like that perhaps something worse as well. He described some serious instances of lung squeeze and trachea problems. He strongly advised going slow with depth increments over weeks to allow things to acclimate to the increasing rigors of depth. Makes good sense.
Unlike having to swim down and back which might take some time and repetition to achieve, a scooter or sled can allow a person in a near quiescent state to rapidly reach depths. Going down to 120 to 150 ft. repetitively seems readily within reach but may not be that great an idea, too soon anyway. The experience has felt good (more accurately great) to date but then again, strange problems can set in suddenly with minimal warning at times.
What physiological hazards and precautions come to mind in doing something like this? I wonder if new sled divers have had issues like this?
Thanks,
Rick
One of his points was that unless I was used to going to that depth on breath hold dives in that frequency the attendant stresses could bring out something like that perhaps something worse as well. He described some serious instances of lung squeeze and trachea problems. He strongly advised going slow with depth increments over weeks to allow things to acclimate to the increasing rigors of depth. Makes good sense.
Unlike having to swim down and back which might take some time and repetition to achieve, a scooter or sled can allow a person in a near quiescent state to rapidly reach depths. Going down to 120 to 150 ft. repetitively seems readily within reach but may not be that great an idea, too soon anyway. The experience has felt good (more accurately great) to date but then again, strange problems can set in suddenly with minimal warning at times.
What physiological hazards and precautions come to mind in doing something like this? I wonder if new sled divers have had issues like this?
Thanks,
Rick
Last edited: