Some of you may have noticed a new sign posted at the south end of the pool. This has to do with SHALLOW WATER BLACKOUT, and it’s no joke. This has nothing to do with not being able to swim; it has killed well-trained, well-conditioned swimmers.
I’ve found this article on Wikipedia to be very helpful in understanding what can happen. I encourage you to read it.
I did lots of “no breathers” when I trained as a kid — often 50 yards at a time — and I was really good at it. Lucky for me, I felt uncomfortable hyperventilating prior to these swims, so I didn’t. This might have been what saved me.
This phenomenon is the primary reason why I don’t include breath-holding drills during our workouts. I might have a few swims where I ask you to breathe less often than you normally would, but I’ll never pester you to not breathe if you feel you need to.
LOCO SWIMMING 