went for my first Open Water Swim this last Saturday.... I admit I am a bit of a wimp as far as water temps are concerned....Part of the problem is the pool I swim in is kept at 84-85 degrees all the time. Per request from noodlers...(see thread in general discussion "death to all noodlers") which makes it a big difference to jump into a lake. I have been monitoring our local lakes temperature, and it has been slow to warm up this year. Saturday, although the air was 62 the water was 73. When I jumped in I had a hard time breathing.. kinda small convulsions, gasping for air....after a few minutes they went away and I had a very enjoyable swim (except for the part I looked to see my 18 yr old daughter pacing me, doing ***!)..this is the second time it has happened to me....what to do? Thanks in advance.
Parents
Former Member
It could be asthma, if you're prone to it. Or it could be something else that seems to be emerging. It's called SIPE = Swimming Induced Pulmonary Edema. You gradually find it harder to breathe; it feels like you start getting fluid in your lungs. How do you prevent it? It's not known completely. One suggestion has been to make sure you're warmed up (started swimming slowly, or maybe walk/jog before entering the water) enough before swimming.
Unfortunately, I got it (again) while swimming in a cool pool a few weeks ago. After that, I realized that my open water race days were over. :sad: I was going to do a mile race Saturday, but that's off.
Good luck! And be safe.
JIM
It could be asthma, if you're prone to it. Or it could be something else that seems to be emerging. It's called SIPE = Swimming Induced Pulmonary Edema. You gradually find it harder to breathe; it feels like you start getting fluid in your lungs. How do you prevent it? It's not known completely. One suggestion has been to make sure you're warmed up (started swimming slowly, or maybe walk/jog before entering the water) enough before swimming.
Unfortunately, I got it (again) while swimming in a cool pool a few weeks ago. After that, I realized that my open water race days were over. :sad: I was going to do a mile race Saturday, but that's off.
Good luck! And be safe.
JIM
