Mammalian Dive Reflex

[hulagirl]

For my open water swim friends.

Do you find yourself gasping for air as soon as your face enters the water? Does it feel like your heart is racing and no matter what you do you can't catch your breath? Does it feel like your chest is tight and your arms weigh 2 tons?

This is the Mammalian Dive Reflex and I am CURSED with it.

Does anyone have any tips/tricks/words of advice on how to control it? I tried dunking my head into the water on Tuesdays swim. Instantly I began to shiver uncontrollably. By 500m I am usually calming down, but Tuesday was hell. It got worse and worse and by 800m I was either going to pass-out or my head was going to explode. Horrible swim.

This happens to me in a heated pool as well as open water. The pool version of it is not as bad. Maybe lasts 100m max. And I usually get through it with a kick board warm up. Also happens when I snorkel.

I have found only 1 article that relates to MDR and open water swims. It's a common thing that is dealt with in SCUBA diving. I read that it's a 30-45 min "symptom" that the body goes into!

Anyone have these same issues?

ETA: Hawaii is blessed with warm water so no wet-suits are allowed here. I do wear a rash-guard when I swim to help stay warm. I would guess the water temp is not below 70 right now. Pool is about 78. Air temp is 78-85.

Denise