Dizziness after OW swim

[eclectic]

I think I saw this addressed somewhere but now I can't find it.

Today in the practice both me and the other gal experienced dizziness after the swim.

Does anyone know
A. what causes it
B. can it be avoided and if so how
C. If it can't be avoided how is it worked around

Is it different in different bodies of water or different temps? - we were in a 64 degree river.

Any and all help in this matter will be greatly appreciated.

[Tri Girl]

It's just the different sensation of being horizontal then getting quickly out to vertical. The longer I'm horizontal swimming, the worse it is. Also, if the water is choppy and I'm fighting waves, it's worse. Must be the equilibrium getting off kilter when thrashing about in open water (although it doesn't seem to bother me in the pool that I've noticed- but then again I'm never swiming fast, then jumping out to run to the locker room ).
The more I swim OW, the less it bothers me. Perhaps it's just something we become accustomed to (like the smooshing of the soft tissue on the saddle?)?

I wonder if wearing ear plugs on the swim would make a difference?

I'm sure others will have far more wisdom than I...

[HappyAnika]

I don't know if this helps, but when I first started swimming in the pool I would be somewhat dizzy when I got out. All of a sudden I would have a hard time balancing to put my flip flops back on. This has diminished over the last few months to where I don't have it anymore.

This is just conjecture here, but I would think that the back and forth rolling motion of swimming would throw off your equilibrium, doesn't this have something to do with your ears? I could imagine it being worse in OW with more choppiness and what not. Its like a mild form of motion sickness. Just my thoughts anyway. Hope it gets better for you.

[eclectic]

We have another OW swim planned for this week - not hard but to practice transition. We are going to try earplugs.

got a tracking # on my wetsuit - shipped UPS out of CA, left Salt lake today will be here WED

Also got the low down on the swim from one of the event organizers. the marina is ONLY 5 FEET DEEP so the water shouldn't be cold at all. The river practice will be great training.