Panic in the swim portion of a triathlon
is not unique, and happens to many people, both novice and expert swimmers alike. The sense of constriction from the wetsuit, or the body’s natural response to cold water can leave you breathless and anxious. The added intensity of the race itself and managing the close contact with the other athletes around you can heighten the panic. All of these drive your endocrine system to release adrenaline and force your breathing patterns to be quick and shallow. Using the BWB as part of your warm-up before your workouts, especially in simulated race scenarios, will help you learn to break this anxiety feedback loop. Just a 3-7 min BWB warm up can open up your airways and reduce the stress response, resetting how you breathe. This allows you to breathe deeper, and more controlled in stressful situations. This is just one of the many ways Isocapnic Breathe Way Better Training can help you achieve better results.
Here is a link the warm up protocol.
AUTHORSHIP AND TRANSPARENCY
About this article
Written by
Coach Luke Way is the founder and CEO of Isocapnic and has coached endurance athletes for 20 years. He specializes in elite triathlon, mountain biking, CrossFit, and physiology-led athlete assessment.
Scientifically reviewed by
Dr. Andrew Sellars is a Canadian physician, anesthesiologist, performance physiologist, entrepreneur, and coach with a Master's degree in Athletic Coaching. He co-founded VO2 Master and is Co-Founder, Chief Science Officer, and Physiology Advisor at Isocapnic Technologies Inc., where his work focuses on biomarker-guided training and respiratory performance.
Review completed: August 1, 2026
