Advice for my land locked self

[Katiewoo13]

On the 1 month anniversary of my discovery of Freediving I thought it appropriate to join this forum that I've so faithfully stalked this month.

I started Freediving a month ago with my level I and II course at the ocean. After 5 days I was at 30.9 meters and Static time of 4:10. Since coming back to my mountainous home I've been doing lung stretches and CO2 tables. Last week I tried another PB in my living room at 5:10.

I'd love some advice - First, when do I know I'm actually low on O2? I could definitely have pushed that PB further, but without a coach, or any understanding of what my limits actually are, I didn't want to. How do I know when I'm getting close, when I actually need to breathe? I have an O2 meter for my finger, can I use that?

Any advice on good CO2 tables, dynamic apnea with walking or something? Any way to prepare myself for depth? I'm hoping to head back to the ocean for depth training in a few weeks. When I do my diaphragm stretches I feel a lot of pressure in my throat, and it's really uncomfortable. Is that what 30 plus meters is like?

How does 5 minute static for a girl measure up to normal stats? It doesn't seem like much when I look at my coaches PBs and national records.

Thanks for all the interesting advice on the forum.

 

[J Campbell]

For me, I know when blackout is near because I get tunnel vision, see flashes of light, spots, echo in my ears like I'm in a tunnel, bowels start to squirm. But it really is not good to go that far.

 

[Katiewoo13]

Mark Jeffery - Is that LMO? How can you tell a little earlier? Could I use a finger oxygen meter? I've heard that under 70% is pushing it, do I just quit at 70%? Have someone watch for blue lips?

 

[J Campbell]

I never used an oximeter.

 

[Kars]

The finger O2 measurement will become unreliable when the vascular constriction is established. 70% is still rather high, and the remaining air could be another minute, two or 3. Most people will faint when the O2 reaches around 56 % SAO2.
Mark described the low O2 effects pretty good, I would like to add that most of these only occur only 10 - 15 seconds before fainting. I think it's beneficial to know one's own sensations up to BO, though I don't advocate seeking a BO. The samba or Loss of Motor-control symptoms are shaky limps, unstable stance, inability to breath and speak, uncontrollable movements, lack of conscious awareness, tunnel vision, lack of memory retention, blue appearance.

5 minutes is a way above average breath-hold for women just look up the results for the World championships, and you will see that you would have been in the B-final a 15th place!
http://media.wix.com/ugd//c88612_fdb70e7ca103eb5825c52b80f4abebb4.pdf

Since you consider yourself still a beginner, some advice.
Freediving is strange sport that repels the use of force. One has to use one's brains to find a way around 'barriers'. In freediving it's also easy to over-train, it will show in a lack of motivation, stagnation and regression of pleasure and numeric results. The best results one gets focussing on comfort, technique and rhythm.

Have fun exploring!

Love, Courage and Water,

Kars

 

[Katiewoo13]

Kars - Thanks so much, that's great advice! I like to have a good idea of physiology and an understanding of what is and will happen with my body. I can push myself much further if I know what I'm in for.

Good advice about overtraining. I'm not training very much for that reason, just trying to get into a rhythm. And if an exercise is making me dread training, I find other similar exercises that I don't dread.

I'm still playing with a lot of new sensations in my body, it's exciting but sometimes hard

 

[Simos]

Sounds like you have a natural ability, which is great news. I am sure you can achieve lots with correct training and patience. Take it easy when it comes to depth as the body needs to adapt and it takes time - especially for the depths you started diving too, it's easy to get squeezed especially if your technique is not right.

The oxymeter helps a bit but much better to develop your body awareness and progress in small increments. You will start recognising different sensations and signs and also get to know your body - just remember to always be safe when practicing, especially in the water.

I wouldn't bother having someone watch out for blue lips etc, I don't think it's hugely helpful... Obviously a buddy is important for safety and if you accidentally go over your limits but a buddy is not a substitute to learning to rely on yourself and knowing when you should end a hold/dive..