Dizzy after swim

Its that cold water that's gotten into your ears and is playing games with your equilibrium.  Kind of a drunkish feeling without the alcohol.  

Water only has to be in the low 70's for me to get it. 

Edited by jkbostic 2005-05-31 3:39 PM

I had the same problem at a race back in April.  Water was around 60 degrees (air temp 38) and I kept losing my balance while trying to get out of my wetsuit in T1.  So aside from doing the doggy paddle, I'm not sure if there's an easy solution.

I wear ear plugs when the water temp is that cold and I will wear two swim caps. Try both of those solutions and see if they do the trick.

Mike

I can relate.

I just went for my first outdoor pool swim of the season. Cold water -same thing - I had dizziness/nausea when I got out.

This happened to me last year too. Nothing was really confirmed, but these were what I heard as possible causes:
-Most common - dehydration. Keep water bottle at end of pool.
-Take dramamine - follow instructions Others said be careful because it makes you drowsy. Alternative: Ginger tea
-Look at one spot in the pool, and one on the wall (so your eyes aren't bouncing all over the place in the distorted water)
-Try only breast stroke and see how it goes - this would eliminate allergic reactions to chlorine/funkywater as a cause.
-Perhaps not breathing correctly.
-Ear plugs - the inner ear helps with balance - maybe getting water in there.

Interesting about the cold water in the ears. That wasn't brought up last year. If that's it, swimming with earplugs should help.

thanks for the explaination, i experienced this, too.  i figured it might have something to do with me freaking out but couldn't explain why physically it might happen, now i can.  i shall throw in the ear plugs next time.  

2 SWIM CAPS will DO THE TRICK!

Thanks to everyone for the help I was about to head to the Doc to see if I had a physical problem, you saved me a bunch of cash, that I can now spend on some more equipment upgrades.

Bob