Until recently I could not keep swimming more than 50 m in the freestyle. Exhaling and inhaling in a short moment when my face was above the surface had been my long time habit of breathing. Two weeks ago, I just thought of exhaling underwater and tried keeping exhaling while my face was in the water. And voila! I found myself keep swimming more than 500 m. Now I realize that the amount of air in one breath is not essential, but continuous air flow at the surface of alveoli is the key for not suffocating. I have never taken systematic lessons of swimming, but is this a common knowledge?
I also would like to know how you exhale underwater; through mouth, thorough nose, or both? Any reason for that? I currently exhale through only mouth.
Parents
Former Member
... and the feeling of needing to take a breath is actually backwards. Your body sends a signal to your brain that you need to take a breath based on the amount of carbon dioxide in your lungs, not the lack of oxygen. In fact, your lungs have no mechanism at all for detecting oxygen. :)
Knowing this... exhale slowly when you feel you need to inhale. It will buy you a moment more time (because you're expelling CO2) without feeling like you need a breath.
... and the feeling of needing to take a breath is actually backwards. Your body sends a signal to your brain that you need to take a breath based on the amount of carbon dioxide in your lungs, not the lack of oxygen. In fact, your lungs have no mechanism at all for detecting oxygen. :)
Knowing this... exhale slowly when you feel you need to inhale. It will buy you a moment more time (because you're expelling CO2) without feeling like you need a breath.
