Breathing in a wetsuit

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2009-07-10 12:22 PM

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Victoria, BC
Subject: Breathing in a wetsuit
I'm a total beginner TriGirl (and loving it) and have my first open-water competition on August 2.

WELLLL I have this fabulous wetsuit from Xterra that I adore. I took it for a spin in the lake last week, and was quite dismayed to find I appear to have completely forgotten how to breathe. And where did my lovely rhythm go?

Is it normal to have trouble breathing in a wetsuit?? On the plus side, the thing is so buoyant I could float to China and enjoy the ride ... on the down side, it seems to be a completely different "thing" to swim in a wetsuit. How do I adjust????

Glug, glug .....Surprised
 

2009-07-10 12:24 PM
in reply to: #2276430

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Expert
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Subject: RE: Breathing in a wetsuit
You will get used it. The first time I wore my suit, I felt like my legs were sticking up out of the water.
2009-07-10 12:25 PM
in reply to: #2276430

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Subject: RE: Breathing in a wetsuit
CeeCee - 2009-07-10 11:22 AM

I'm a total beginner TriGirl (and loving it) and have my first open-water competition on August 2.

WELLLL I have this fabulous wetsuit from Xterra that I adore. I took it for a spin in the lake last week, and was quite dismayed to find I appear to have completely forgotten how to breathe. And where did my lovely rhythm go?

Is it normal to have trouble breathing in a wetsuit?? On the plus side, the thing is so buoyant I could float to China and enjoy the ride ... on the down side, it seems to be a completely different "thing" to swim in a wetsuit. How do I adjust????

Glug, glug .....Surprised
 


You just have to spend more time in the suit. It takes some getting used to and eventually you won't know its there. Just give it some time and lots of practice. You'll feel better soon.
2009-07-10 12:30 PM
in reply to: #2276430

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Bellingham, WA
Subject: RE: Breathing in a wetsuit
My first thoughts are do you have it on correctly? It is important to work the material upward to give plenty of room in the shoulders and chest. Give that a try.

Secondly, does the suit fit you. Where are you at on the sizing charts? I bought a new wetsuit and was on the upper end weight-wise and the suit was just too tight. That seriously restricted my shoulder and chest movement.

Lastly, sometimes it just takes getting used to. It should not be a completely different thing to swim with a wetsuit. You should be able to breathe comfortably and not feel contricted in your movement.
2009-07-10 12:45 PM
in reply to: #2276430

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Colorado
Subject: RE: Breathing in a wetsuit

I had the same experience the first time out; who thought you needed to "try" to breathe.  But the buoyancy was really nice.  Once I made breathing part of my swimming mantra everything fell in place and the wetsuit was no problem.

2009-07-10 1:50 PM
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Subject: RE: Breathing in a wetsuit
I prefer the breath in breath out method for breathing...


ok to actually answer your question it can take a while to get used to it. are you already used to swimming in open water as well? The cold shock + wetsuit+open water can sometimes give difficulties no matter how often someone has swum. Take it slow to start with and work your way towards making it feel comfortable. Also as others have said double check the suit is the right size AND that you have it on all the way. Should be no extra room in the crotch and plenty of flexibilty in the shoulders, back, and chest.

Good luck!!

2009-07-10 2:23 PM
in reply to: #2276430

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Expert
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Subject: RE: Breathing in a wetsuit
I found that my difficulty getting into a rhythm my first time out was due to the chop in the water and not the wetsuit.  The more you get out in it the better it will feel.  I agree that the extra flotation help is wonderful! 
2009-07-10 2:25 PM
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Expert
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Subject: RE: Breathing in a wetsuit
Ditto. Sounds like good advice!
2009-07-10 2:25 PM
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Subject: RE: Breathing in a wetsuit

I felt the same way the 1st time I "swam" in a wetsuit..I felt like I was being choked by it and could not breathe.  That also meant that I could not swim, lol.  I found that I didn't have it pulled up enough, so it was a bit tight in the shoulder area.  I also found that after a little practice, I could get used to it and did just fine in it.

2009-07-10 2:27 PM
in reply to: #2276430

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Master
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Livonia, MI
Subject: RE: Breathing in a wetsuit

I found it hard to acclimate to the wetsuit being tight on my chest which made breathing feel a little weird at first.  You'll get used to it but make sure you start to find that comfort before it's time to race.

2009-07-10 3:07 PM
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Elite
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Spokane, WA
Subject: RE: Breathing in a wetsuit

Good advice given above. Must say, kudos to you for getting out there and actually PRACTICING open water in your new wetsuit. Too often we hear horror stories from newbies who thought they didn't need to practice in open water. The first time they actually swim in open water in a wetsuit is in a triathlon competition--not good.

Keep it up, you'll get used to it.



Edited by zed707 2009-07-10 3:08 PM

2009-07-10 7:16 PM
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Eastern Pennsylvania
Subject: RE: Breathing in a wetsuit
I had the same problem. I couldn't catch my breath, my stroke was off, etc. I thought it was race/ows panic. I wore it in the pool and started having the same issues. It turns out I didn't have it pulled up on my torso high enough. I made sure it was pulled it up and haven't had a problem in any ows since! It's just a simple thing but makes a huge difference!
2009-08-15 8:50 PM
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Veteran
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Victoria, BC
Subject: RE: Breathing in a wetsuit
Thanks so much for all your helpful comments. My second time in the suit was MUCH easier, and I think the panic was more from being in open water. As it turns out, the Sri Chinmoy ended up being a non-wetsuit legal swim, so all that for naught ... and I panicked again in the open water without the suit, but when I realized it would be a heck of a long, slow swim if all I did was sidestroke and breaststroke, I just put my face down and did it!! Now, for the next challenge: a Half Iron ... gulp ... swimming in the ocean will definitely allow a wetsuit. Thanks again!
2009-08-17 11:10 AM
in reply to: #2276430

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Wolverine, Michigan
Subject: RE: Breathing in a wetsuit
I had this problem even though according to the size chart the suit is too big for me.  I am only 140 and it is an Ironman Medium, I think it should fit someone up to 185.

I measured my chest, then packed my suit with packing bubbles and other material untill it was 5 " larger than my measurements in the chest.  Took out the material before my swim and I could breathe much better.  When it sat for 3 weeks I had the same problem again Wednesday, so I streched it again.  Worked great for my race yesterday.
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