Questions about contractions

[DivingDane]

i have decided that i want to take my freediving a little more serious, both in CW, Dynamic and static but one thing at a time.

i currently have a PB of 4:02min for static the problem is a generally never go past the 2nd contraction (not comfortable).

is there a way to overcome this discomfort from contraction and make them more relaxed or is it just pure determination to go past them.

because i'd really like to look at chracking the 5min mark but think the fear of contractions is holding me back a lot.

any help as always would be greatly appreciated.

DD

[Jonta]

Im not an expert but i try to lay down and relax while watching tv or something.
I dont focus on my brething i just take a big breath every 5-6 min.
I hold and start my watch when the first contraction come.
First i did 20 sek of contractions then 30 and so on. But now i start at 30 , 1:00 , 1:30 , 1:45 and one last max when i time the whole thing which is usally about 1:50 before contractions and about 1:55 whit em.
I have only trained static for 6 weeks and have a pb of 4:00(2:10 then 1:50 of contractions)

[DivingDane]

Interesting, might give it a try so what your saying is that i just need to toughen up and go past the contractions!

so with Practice they dont bother yu as much. because i find them REALLY uncomfortable.

DD

[salibandy]

Yup. Practice more and get used to them. I don't practice tables, but I hear CO2 tables can help you with dealing with contractions.

[DivingDane]

Thanks Salibandy

CO2 tables ahh? might start doing them more regularly then, anybody else found they help with dealing with contractions?

DD

[Jonta]

I think the most important is to get used to contractions.
When i first started i could barly take 3 contractions.
I started to move around.
But now i can stay completely relaxed for a longer time whit contractions.
Another thing you can do is to try to delay every contraction a littel. Dont let the the diaghram(not sure about spelling) contract for another 3sek. I do this for the first 10 contractions then they get to fast and strong for me to control.

[DivingDane]

Thanks for the advise sounds like it might work, will give it a try when i.m in the pool tomorrow, bring 5minutes!

DD

[salibandy]

I'm sure you already know this, but please do not practice in the pool alone.

Anyway, where're you from DivingDane?

[DivingDane]

No No, always at least one person with me if not more when we train, not owrth the risk.

Long Story, Born In Denmark Hence the DivingDane, now living in North Queensland, Australia (Cairns)

Why ya ask?

DD

[TRITON]

Get used to contractions.If you do your breathup correctly,they will start a bit sooner but will be much easier to cope with.When you hypervetilate they come later but are much stronger.

[DivingDane]

Nope i dont hyperventilate, its BAD

Normal relaxed breath up with a couple of full breaths then a 70% breath directly before the static. dont get the first contraction till about 3:30 on a 4:00 dive then another at about 4:00 and then i cant bring myself to go past them just feels really unnatural. as above looks like i just need to toughen up!

on my last dive i pushed it a bit past the 2nd contraction and managed a little over 4:30 but still cant get my head around the idea, i will eventually.

DD

[TRITON]

My pb is 5:55 and the first contraction starts around 2-2:30.

[Jonta]

When contractions start dosent really matter for me i think. One time i got em at 2:20 but still i only did 3:30 but another time i got em at 1:45 and did 3:45.
But im a noob(only 6weeks of traning) so try for youreself and dont listen to much to what i say :P

[TRITON]

Earlier contractions usualy means that you didn't blow off too much co2 and the diving reflex will be stronger therefore the consumtion of o2 will be less.

[Jonta]

That made it all much clearer thanks. But guys who make like 7:00min do they get contractions at 2:00min that sounds weird to me.