O2 & CO2 Tables

[m2b]

I have to admit I don't do much with O2/CO2 table. I have a couple of times over the past month to month and a half but I don't do them regularly by any means. I don't seem to be very good at hardly anything that involves "sticking to a schedule".

One thing I have did though, more out of curiousity than anything else, is to combine the two tables into one. Another words I increase the breathhold and decrease the rest period on the same table.

I'm just wondering has anyone else been doing this and how has it worked for you. I know when I very unplanned on did it last I was QUITE surprised by the results. SHOCKED might be a better way of saying it. Normally I have only been able to get into the third or fourth contraction before I bail and start breathing. Last night I was getting in 10+ contractions and wasn't even thinking about breathing other than for the fact that I was standing up at the time instead of sitting or lying down. So far I have managed a 1:48 maximum, sometime last month. Last night I was starting out with, I believe, 50 second hold and 60 second rest, increasing the hold 10 seconds per loop and decreasing the rest by 5 seconds per rest period. I made it fine through the 1:40 hold and repeated the 1:40 hold during the 1:50 loop and then was only able to hold 1:30 on the final loop after only a 30-35 second, whatever it was, rest period. The contractions were the most gentle and undisturbing that I have ever had, by a LONG shot.

The whole concept does make me want to change the way I dive but I don't plan on doing that anytime soon. I pretty much am never below the surface more than a total of 30 seconds on any dive. I always play it WAY safe and spend a ton of time at the surface. Maybe sometime the combined tables will make me change my approach to diving. Granted it better hurry or it'll have to wait until next summer. The water ain't getting any warmer, LOL!!!

Ryan

[Evita]

Congratulations on your break-through. It's nice to hear of people experimenting and improving by breaking the "rules". New ideas could benefit us all.

I have a training buddy who also combines O2 and CO2 training. Or more accurately, he uses a CO2 table to warm up for a max static. He does pretty well with that, but I don't know if he couldn't improve by separating the two types (because he refuses to try).

Whatever works sounds fine, and you should stick with it for as long as it brings you something. I think it's healthy to change a "tried and true" training regimen, if you're fed up with it. There are freedivers who get stuck and frustrated with themselves, when they assume that their usual routine is flawless, but they have just reached their limits. So good for you :-)