wot is skip breathing??

[gtm]

I,ve been looking at some past threads regarding headaches after
diving . which i have often even on shallow dives, so i was wondering
if co2 retention could be causing it, what is skip breathing i have noticed
sometimes as im diving i need to do a extra big exhale . They are really
bad headaches and i feel absolutely shagged out , all weird n funky like.

[Okeanos]

Originally Posted by gtm

I,ve been looking at some past threads regarding headaches after
diving . which i have often even on shallow dives, so i was wondering
if co2 retention could be causing it, what is skip breathing i have noticed
sometimes as im diving i need to do a extra big exhale . They are really
bad headaches and i feel absolutely shagged out , all weird n funky like.

It does sound like CO2 retention.

Skip breathing is holding your breath after every in and out rather than a continual breathing.

[steveharriss]

Skipping a breath under the illusion you're using less air. Just breathe normally and you'll be fine. Headaches can also come from dehydration, blocked sinuses, or contaminated air fills. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids, water preferably. Do you suffer from hayfever? Contaminated fills are a less likely cause but don't discount it.

The fact you say that you exhaling fully actually makes CO2 retention a less likely cause of your headaches.

[gtm]

cheers for advice i,ll monitor my breathing next time i dive . They occur
when i dive abroad and at home so contaminated air is unlikely as from
different sorces, and i have tried different regs , wet suit/ drysuit . So am
thinking it me not kit . would co2 retention be responsible for this shagged
out feeling tho ?

[Simon A]

Originally Posted by gtm

would co2 retention be responsible for this shagged
out feeling tho ?

Feeling breathless can be a sign of CO2 retention. Best way to check is to do a couple of dives making sure you do a deep inhale and a full exhale on every breath and see if it makes a difference.
HTH
Simon A

[Nick Kay]

On a tech course, I was reminded to take longer breathing out than breathing in - helps remove CO2

[steveharriss]

Try some Nitrox....once qualified of course! I think you'll feel a lot less tired after multi-day diving trips.

Skip breathing comes between the exhale and inhale cycle. If you exhale fully your body tends to force you to inhale immediately afterwards thus forcing you to breathe correctly. My first instructor told me to breathe in fully for a count of 3 (one thousand, two thousand, three thousand) then exhale for a count of 4, but you'll find just nice full breathing will do the job.

As you say, contaminated air fills seem an unlikely cause.

[Aquatic Mammal]

Originally Posted by Nick Kay

On a tech course, I was reminded to take longer breathing out than breathing in - helps remove CO2

You can learn to perfect this technique by going to a yoga class which covers "pranayama" (yogic breathing techniques). It's done wonders for my air consumption amongst the many benefits.

Read the article linked from my sig box

[ShinyD]

Originally Posted by gtm

cheers for advice i,ll monitor my breathing next time i dive . They occur
when i dive abroad and at home so contaminated air is unlikely as from
different sorces, and i have tried different regs , wet suit/ drysuit . So am
thinking it me not kit . would co2 retention be responsible for this shagged
out feeling tho ?

It sounds like it could be dehydration and the fairly normal feeling of tiredness that breathing air at depth brings on in some people (me included!).

I've recently started to look hard at my hydration before and after diving and don't get headaches now, but I do still get dog tired in the evening following a dive.

If you can discount everything else then try looking at your hydration levels and do a nitrox course (next on my list!)

Dave

[SilvaFish]

Nitrox makes a huge difference to how I feel post dive, and breathing in for 4 seconds, but out always for 5 seconds. Every breath is a deep breath for me, if I don't, it just doesn't feel right.