Samba — Loss of Motor Control (freediving)

A Samba, or Loss of Motor Control (LMC), is when a diver loses physical coordination after surfacing. It happens because the brain lacks sufficient oxygen to maintain muscle function. This occurs during the recovery phase immediately after a breath-hold dive. You might see shaking, jerky movements, or difficulty keeping the mouth above water. I saw a student in Koh Tao in 2019 struggle with this for 15 seconds. It is not a blackout, but it is a serious warning sign. Never dive alone to avoid this risk. A common mistake is panicking when you see the shaking start. Instead, stay calm and focus on your recovery breathing so that your oxygen levels stabilize quickly. Always have a trained safety buddy watching your eyes and movements.