Im going to tag questions I get asked from now on for easier reference: Lets call this one #10, for arguments sake Why do we hyperventilate & what are its real benefits? .... a great question. Hyperventilation is considered a taboo topic, so Ill address it head on. Hyperventilation is ANY over-breathing beyond physiologic requirements. Ypocic breathing can be considered hyperventilation in some instances. Hyperventilation is a natural response that preceeds entry into any reduced metabolic state, be it diving, or states like hibernation. ALL divers hyperventilate before diving, be it even just one breath. ALL animals hyperventilate before diving, except if theyre diving to sleep! We dont know why animals actually really do it because, for example, in maximal effort diving it limits the ability to conserve oxygen & extract O2, & lowers tolerance of hypoxia, i.e., one will pass-out at a higher pO2. I have my views on this & besides commonly known reasons the benefits are as follows: - it increases body oxygen stores, by as much as 20-25% if doing massive hyperventilations; - it delays the urge to breathe, giving the impression of generating more (dive) time; - it delays in-diving muscle fatigue; &, - it promotes faster post-dive recoveries thereby maintaining MET at a lower level before diving again. Hyperventilation has its place, but should only be used for sub-maximum effort serial dives, e.g. spear-fishing. When I say, sub.maximum I mean well below maximum effort. Unfortunately, this is where it gets abused, because divers tend to get duped into thinking theyre more capable then they are, leaving but a small hypoxic reserve margin.
Posted on: Mon, 08 Sep 2014 10:03:29 +0000
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