I'd love to hear from some experienced swimmers.
I'm a woman in my 40s who just started swimming off and on again this year for exercise. I swim freestyle, and took a class about 10 years ago to learn it. This year on two occasions when I was not using a nose clip, I must have inhaled a little water, because it felt like I could not breathe in at all -- like my throat had closed. I tried to relax, and in both cases it lasted maybe about 10-15 seconds. It is super scary when it happens.
I know that this is likely a protection mechanism of sorts, but I am a little perplexed. It is not like I was swallowing lots of water or anything -- but I do think both times I was trying to swim without a clip, and so I must be doing something wrong with my breathing.
So, how should I deal with this? It has made me afraid to swim, b/c when I read about laryngospasm all I get are all these links about dry drowning, etc. Does this happen to everyone on occasion? Any advice would be appreciated.
I'd love to hear from some experienced swimmers.
I'm a woman in my 40s who just started swimming off and on again this year for exercise. I swim freestyle, and took a class about 10 years ago to learn it. This year on two occasions when I was not using a nose clip, I must have inhaled a little water, because it felt like I could not breathe in at all -- like my throat had closed. I tried to relax, and in both cases it lasted maybe about 10-15 seconds. It is super scary when it happens.
I know that this is likely a protection mechanism of sorts, but I am a little perplexed. It is not like I was swallowing lots of water or anything -- but I do think both times I was trying to swim without a clip, and so I must be doing something wrong with my breathing.
So, how should I deal with this? It has made me afraid to swim, b/c when I read about laryngospasm all I get are all these links about dry drowning, etc. Does this happen to everyone on occasion? Any advice would be appreciated.
I can't say anything about what you experienced -- it's never happened to me -- but I can say that I see others swimming with nose clips. If you need a nose clip, or even just feel more comfortable with a nose clip, I see no reason not to wear one.
Some of the best wear them.
QUOTE]
Yep, including Bob Bugg who broke the 100m freestyle world record in 2009, in the 50-54 age group, by swimming a :54.95.
No law against nose clips. Some of the best wear them.
What you are experiencing is not a big deal. If you are in a pool, you will certainly be able to get over to the side or to a lane line before anything dangerous happens.
Everyone in the learning stage takes some water into their mouth. As you get better, this problem disappears, but it does take quite some time.
Thanks notsofast - I guess whether it is normal is a big part of what I am wondering. I mean, I have played around in the water for years, snorted it, coughed and got on with life. But this felt different - like my airway just closed momentarily. So maybe taking classes again and getting more comfortable is the best thing?
