CDC Warns against Breath-Holding Games When Swimming
CDC Warns against Breath-Holding Games When Swimming – A new report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that over the past few years there have been several deaths caused by breath-holding games or exercises under water.
Even strong swimmers can lose consciousness and drown if they hold their breath for too long. According to Dr. Peter Wernicki, medical advisor to the United States Lifesaving Association, “This is probably one of the most common ways that people who are relatively good swimmers die from drowning.”
There have also been cases where swimmers have drowned from swimming drills intended to improve lung capacity. Both kids and adults may hyperventilate (take a few quick breaths) because they think they can get more air into their lungs and they will be able to under water for longer. Wornicki says that unfortunately, when you do that you’re actually putting yourself in danger by blowing off all your carbon dioxide, which is the gas that makes you want to breath when its levels increase in your bloodstream.
The American Red Cross and the YMCA have issued guidelines that lifeguards not allow any breath-holding contests or drills. The CDC report mentions three deaths that recently occurred in New York. Two strong swimmers died while training themselves for a military fitness test. Another swimmer was a lifeguard who drowned while performing breath-holding exercises as part of a training for joining the Navy SEALs.
Experts say that you should never swim alone, and you should be monitored when training.
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