trouble holding my breath

[scottieboy35]

So i don't freedive or dive at all, but i figure that a number of divers posting on this website can solve my problem for me. I swim competitively for two swim teams and swim from 2-4 hours a day 8000-10000+ yards. For some reason when i hold my breath for too long i end up gagging. I dont know why this is but it is a problem. At the end of this year i will be hopefully going for pararescue training and if this problem isnt solved im absolutely sure it will be my demon. I cannot blackout if i have this gagging problem which i will probably end up needing to do and im trying to figure this out. If anyone has any information on why i do this or how i can stop it it would be much appreciated.

-scott

 

[trux]

"Welcome to Deeper Blue! What exactly you mean by "gagging"? Does it mean that your larynx is blocked and you cannot exhale and inhale even if you want? That's called laryngospasm, and it is not really usual - it rather only happens when water gets into the trachea

Or do you rather speak about involuntary respiratory movements (we call them contractions - it can involve contraction of the diaphragm, the rib cage muscles, or sometimes only muscles around the throat). That's very normal and practically everyone has them. It is no problem at all, and if you train a bit, you can stand them for many minutes. You have to think about the contractions positively (they help increasing the PaO2 and the blood pressure, hence the improve the oxygenation of your brain, despite dropping level of oxygen in your blood). Don't try fighting them by muscle force - just try keeping relaxed (especially in the moment between two contractions). Look up CO2 tables and hypercapnic exercises here on forum - after doing couple of them, your breath hold will improve dramatically.

 

[scottieboy35]

I mean even when I try to hold my breath on dry land like sitting in a chair it happens. I'll be holding and holding and then suddenly I'll like gag almost.I'll the the gagging motion and I'll gag for no apparent reason.
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[trux]

Yes, but where is the problem? You do not breath anyway, so whether you gag or not is unimportant. Gagging would be a hassle if you needed to breathe, and it would prevent you to do it, but since you are holding your breath, it does not matter. Simply go on, and don't care about it. Most likely the gagging is kind of contractions I described in my previous post, and it is a natural reaction - almost everyone gets it in some form after the first comfort phase of the breath-hold. So don't bother about it too much. Try couple of the hypoxic exercises I advised, and you'll see you'll get used to it quickly.

 

[scottieboy35]

Thanks man, I appreciate it
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