Exhaling through nose or mouth?

RE: Exhaling through nose or mouth?

Former Member — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 17:49:57 GMT

Definitely inhale through mouth. More oxygen. I am very pro-oxygen and find that I can't live without it. Hi notsofast, did you mean *exhale*? I think everyone inhales through mouth.;)

RE: Exhaling through nose or mouth?

Former Member — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 14:11:37 GMT

Maybe I should change my nickname to notsofunny.

RE: Exhaling through nose or mouth?

ViveBene — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 11:21:44 GMT

Out of curiosity, I paid a small amount of attention to exhaling last time in the pool. I exhale through both mouth and nose, but differently at different times. It seems to be a self-regulating thing; the transitions between breathing styles are so subtle I rarely notice (except when they aren't subtle, of course). Regards, VB

RE: Exhaling through nose or mouth?

Former Member — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 13:52:58 GMT

Definitely inhale through mouth. More oxygen. I am very pro-oxygen and find that I can't live without it.

RE: Exhaling through nose or mouth?

Allen Stark — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 08:31:36 GMT

I saw a film on Schollander in the 60s where the narrator pointed out he exhaled through the mouth and nose.That is what I do except on flip turns.I do not exhale slowly the whole time,but rather exhale explosively just before inhalation. This increases my buoyancy and I seem to get a deeper breath.

RE: Exhaling through nose or mouth?

Muppet — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 12:29:08 GMT

it is way to easy to snort water if you're inhaling through your nose. bigger breath (in) is through the mouth. breathing out your nose is good for slow, controlled exhaling.

RE: Exhaling through nose or mouth?

Former Member — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 11:17:13 GMT

OK, so "Thorpe" exhales by nose :) The reason I use only mouth for both exhale and inhale is that this way my mouth will always be open, so no chance of breathing in water from nose. If I have to change from exhaling by mouth to inhaling by nose I fear that sometimes I may either open my mouth too late or forget it so will get water into my nose. Wouldn't that be easier if you don't have to make changes between using nose and using mouth? But it looks like no one has had this issue?

RE: Exhaling through nose or mouth?

Former Member — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 10:01:27 GMT

I definitely always inhale through my mouth and exhale through the nose. When I instruct others, I tell them to do the same thing. It saves your sinuses and makes it so you don't have to change your breathing pattern during flip-turns.

RE: Exhaling through nose or mouth?

Former Member — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 07:56:59 GMT

...Maybe this is my imagination, but I may even exhale simultaneously through the nose and mouth on some occasions. It's not your imagination, many people do this. After spending a week face-down in the Adriatic, I've found the biggest benefit of exhaling through the nose with the mouth shut - you can minimize the amount of salt you take into your mouth when you swim in seawater.

RE: Exhaling through nose or mouth?

Former Member — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 06:43:20 GMT

When the question was initially posted, my reaction was to answer that I exhale through nose on turns and through the mouth otherwise. While swimming, however, I noticed that I my exhales vary. In general, slow, and controlled exhales are through the nose, whereas quick exhales are through the mouth. Maybe this is my imagination, but I may even exhale simultaneously through the nose and mouth on some occasions.

RE: Exhaling through nose or mouth?

Former Member — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 16:48:06 GMT

Inhale through the mouth, exhale through the nose basically but if the mouth happens to get water in it some air out of the mouth will stop you from inhaling water. Right 3strokes do not inhale through the nose.

RE: Exhaling through nose or mouth?

Former Member — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 15:11:19 GMT

Inhale and exhale through mouth during swimming BUT, during flip turns I exhale through nose! Don't wanna flood my sinuses during the flip turns. :D

RE: Exhaling through nose or mouth?

Former Member — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 14:39:47 GMT

Doesn't make any difference one way or the other. You could arguably do some positive end expiratory pressure by breathing forcibly out through a semi closed mouth. That is best done while running, not swimming, and to me there isn't an increase in oxygen intake, which isn't an issue anyways. The issue is to blow out as much C02 as possible. When I do the flip turn I expire through the nose on purpose to keep the water out, but then I feel the need to breathe earlier and come out of the turn gasping. It is all a balance. If you swim backstroke well, above the water, you don't have water in nose and other cavities in head, such as the different sinuses. If you don't, then you swim worse because besides not swimming well, now you have to deal with the water up your sinuses. If you know how to gently exhale through your nose on the flip turn you keep on going a couple of cycles before exhaling and breathing. Try scuba diving, where exhaling slowly (through your mouth, as nose is inside mask) not only makes you go longer but it also keeps you balanced in the water as the air in lungs plays huge part in your "density". Next week I receive a book on swimming, physiology and medical issues and hope to clear this cloud in my mind about oxygen depletion, C02 accumulation and other stuff, such as why do I die at the 43 meter mark in long course fly...take care, billy fanstone

RE: Exhaling through nose or mouth?

Former Member — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 13:56:37 GMT

Big mouth ex haler and inhaler here!

RE: Exhaling through nose or mouth?

Former Member — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 09:37:19 GMT

I vary it a bit. Some through the nose and some through the mouth. Keeps things interesting.

RE: Exhaling through nose or mouth?

Former Member — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 15:26:05 GMT

Thanks for your replies :) Then I'm the only one I know who exhale by mouth (I had thought everyone did the same). I'll give the nose a try next time--hope I won't accidentally inhale by nose!:eek: If you do, it will be the first, last and only time .........;)

RE: Exhaling through nose or mouth?

Former Member — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 10:06:24 GMT

Thanks for your replies :) Then I'm the only one I know who exhale by mouth (I had thought everyone did the same). I'll give the nose a try next time--hope I won't accidentally inhale by nose!:eek:

RE: Exhaling through nose or mouth?

rtodd — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 04:51:34 GMT

I agree. Of course inhale through mouth, but exhale through nose. This will help keep water from migrating into sinuses. Keep mouth closed, It will reduce drag.

RE: Exhaling through nose or mouth?

pwolf66 — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 04:47:44 GMT

DDL, I have always exhaled thru my nose and the only time my mouth is open is to eat.....oh wait...to inhale air. This is the most common method for breath control and would be my recommendation to train yourself to do. Paul