Todd, purging is also a kind of hyperventilation - just like any other type of ventilation reducing your CO2 level below normal (and the purge breath serves exactly to do that). And if freedivers are being taught to do 15 purge breaths (as Howard claims), then it already sounds like a pretty serious hyperventilation.
Well, if it is done in a safe environment and taught not to be used otherwise, it is not too bad, but it is actually considered counterproductive since it delays the onset and the strength of the diving response. So although it helps a newbie immensely to come close to his physical limits without too much pain or discomfort, to reach longer times it is actually better learning to cope with the pain and discomfort.
|
