A few beginner questions...

[Apneaddict]

I'm a complete newbie (1 week) but am pretty excited about the sport.

After my first 2 practice sessions I was able to increase my previous static, maximum dry breath hold from 2:00 to 3:47. I was very happy - but imagine that future gains will be much harder to achieve.

Some questions:

1) During a breath hold, how do those that are over 5:00, position their mouth? Is there tension in your lips, cheeks, etc?? Do you press your tongue into the roof?

2) I am comfortable in the water - should I expect my static apnea times to increase in the water... given the MDR effect, that I don't bother trying to replicate during static practice in my bed? lol

3) I am only doing static max holds... would doing the tables (o2 and co2) be a significant improvement to training?

4) What methods are most common / proven for that big-inhale prior to the breath-hold? I just take 3 deep breaths, before a max-effort purge and then max-inhale. I don't see this purge in free diver videos tho.

Much thanks - I welcome the feedback of all those who are more experienced and knowledgeable!

 

[blueface]

My longest breath holds are around 4 min and I don't have any tension in the lips or tongue or anywhere else. I relax every muscle and let the contractions come. All I do are tables and I've never tried a max attempt. The tables will help increase your times. Here is an O2 table I'm working on. You can add or subtract :15 or :30 seconds to adjust. I do these dry.

vent 2:00 apnea 2:45
vent 2:00 apnea 3:00
vent 2:00 apnea 3:15
vent 2:00 apnea 3:30
vent 2:00 apnea 3:45
vent 2:00 apnea 4:00
vent 2:00 apnea 4:15
vent 2:00 apnea 4:30



Do not practice apnea without supervison.

 

[Gahiel]

Hi addict and welcome to DB-

first a bit of advice before i answer some of your questions,

I would suggest that you acquaint yourself with some of the excellent guides here on DB. There are some in particular here on the beginner boards like the 'how to get into free diving' thread that i suggest you read. Secondly, make sure that you never do any apnea in the water with out having some supervising, or safety personnel. (no life guards don't count. these people need to understand and know what you are doing, and they also need to know what to do in case of a black out.

Now on to your questions:

1. the mouth should never be a problem, becuase if you are on dry land all of your O2 should be in your lungs. You should make sure that your epiglottis is shut tight so no air should be escaping.

2. Well because you are rather new, and hopefully have not done solo statics, i really don't know what to tell you about in water statics. It really is a wait and see kind of thing. If your times do increase that is great, however i know that me personally my dry land statics are longer than my wet, and i think that i can say the same for a few other members here.

3. I have read many different opinions on static tables. Personally i do o2 for one week take 3 days off and then do co2 the next. However it really is up to you. I think that apnea walking is a good idea for the beginner, as it will help with all of the pool disciplines. really the tables are your preference, but i doubt that they can hurt.

4. As for the breath-up: there are once again about a million different ways you can do this. But at our level of apnea, you really should be doing what is 'best' for you. And what i mean by that is this, you need to do what calms you down the most. While there is a right and wrong way to do them, what you are doing now sounds about 'ok' Personally i do the following: i take a long inhales 10 second plus, hold for 2 heart beats, then exhale for a long time- and then exhale. At this point i also hold for two heart beats. generally one 'cycle' takes me about 45 seconds. After i get done three, i take one fast breath in, forcully exhale to max then take one big breath and go.

Anyway hope that helps, and good luck- be safe and enjoy this amazing sport!

 

[blueface]

Great advice!

 

[Apneaddict]

Thanks for the feedback and great advice!

In a week or so I will start the static tables and see how I progress.
Instead of walking, I think I will do my breath-holds on a stationary bike (making sure to have soft padding on both sides of the floor!

I am finding that on a good hold, I can get 1 min extra after the diaphragmatic contractions start. I am hoping that the tables will increase the time I can go with contractions... as well as delay the onset. I counted this AM and got somewhere in the 75 range before taking a breath. They were constant / rapid for the last 35 or so...

I noticed that my heart rate dropped from 69 to 60, within 5 seconds of holding a deep breath... not bad, but I want to get it down significantly lower to minimize o2 use... any good tips, other than "relaxation"?

Much thanks!!

 

[hanks77]

Very great Advices for me as a newb ...

Does someone here know why my inner ears always feel hurt when i dive more than 1 m?

What kind of practice do i need to prevent pain in my ears?

 

[blueface]

Very great Advices for me as a newb ...

Does someone here know why my inner ears always feel hurt when i dive more than 1 m?

What kind of practice do i need to prevent pain in my ears?

You have two choices:

1. Only dive < 1 meter

2. Learn how to equalize/compensate