Apnea times

[TomW]

Just curious
what is everyones breath holding times above water(dry static apnea)?

My longest is 4min 27sec but that was with 3min deep breathing beforehand. With normal breathing I managed 3min 10 sec without too mush strain.

I still haven't gone diving as i only just got into it. i'm just wondering from what i've acheived what i should be expecting.

 

[Mullins]

Most people who are new to the sport can do between 4 and 5 minutes with a bit of instruction. Doing 4:27 without instruction is good, despite the fact that you hyperventilated (a bad thing but something pretty much every freediver is guilty of to some degree).

That 4-5 minute range seems pretty consistent for males - it's rare to find somebody who'll do much more than 5 minutes without any training, though there are exceptions.

 

[nenrandir]

On this issue, what is the relation between one's potential in dry vs wet static? The dive reflex should make it easier to do wet statics, but in my case my PB in wet (5'20") is a minute short on my PB in dry (6'20"). Of course this can in part be because the dry static is set at home in the sofa where I usually practice, and thus feel very comfy. But I've heard similar stories from other freedivers, and one very experienced competitive freediver advised me to not work with dry stativs at all and focus on wet only.

Any opinions on the matter?

(Didn't mean to steal the thread, just to continue it...)

 

[Mullins]

Don't think you'd get much extra dive response, if any, from tepid pool water.

 

[Antoine]

Hey Nenrandir,

I have read similar things about freedivers saying that its better to focus on wet statics rather than dry statics. Still havnt worked out why!
Anyway, dry statics are far easier to work on. You can practically train anywhere, anytime. You can practise your dry statics in the morning in bed, on the sofa watching tv, in my case(and in tomw's case)in boring classes...etc! On the other hand, to practise wet statics you have to got to a pool, have someone carefully watching you for safety, wear a wetsuit...
I think that since wet statics are, for most people, more logistically challenging, dry statics are a more efficient manner to practice one's statics and improve your PB.
Just my view

 

[sai]

Just curious
what is everyones breath holding times above water(dry static apnea)?

My longest is 4min 27sec but that was with 3min deep breathing beforehand. With normal breathing I managed 3min 10 sec without too mush strain.

I still haven't gone diving as i only just got into it. i'm just wondering from what i've acheived what i should be expecting.

Can you describe the phases of your breathhold? Since my PB still isn't above 4 minutes, I'm curious to know what other beginners experience in their static PBs.
When do diaphragm contractions start (if at all), when do you get the first urge to breathe?

 

[Apiek]

Can you describe the phases of your breathhold? Since my PB still isn't above 4 minutes, I'm curious to know what other beginners experience in their static PBs.
When do diaphragm contractions start (if at all), when do you get the first urge to breathe?

Well I can't tell you the phases, as I am so very new and still looking for someone in my area to learn from, and train with. But my latest PB (4:10) was achieved dry and with no contractions. I suspect this is b/c I am giving up too early b/c I feel the urge to breath kicking-in and I am giving in to it, instead of "relaxing" in to it...but I am not sure how to do that yet!

As for the contractions, I have only held on long enough once to feel them, and it was odd to say the least...not bad just odd. In fact it was kind of nice, because I finally felt them! When they happen exactly will vary from person to person as I understand it, and from attempt to attempt as well.

Any time I have had a good hold, it has been when I have done a very easier 1-2 min holds to warm up and then executed a max effort. As well i recommend doing the Static Apnea table - they have made a big difference for me in a short period of time. There are all sorts of apps out there for it.

Good luck and check out the beginning freediving section of the forum, it is a wealth of information!!

 

[TomW]

In my breath hold I find that after about the first minute I reach a more comfortable state probably due to my body settling down and relaxing as I get acusstomed to it. This relaxed state which is actually quite enjoyable lasts about 2 minutes but it isn't until 3'30" - 3'40" that discomfort sets in due to the oxygen deprivation. I have only ever had one contraction and that was on the 4'27" mark. I wasn't prepared for it and involuntarily breathed in. I know I can go longer but I decided not to push it for now as i'm only just getting into it.

 

[sai]

When I first started out my comfort zone lasted to about 30 seconds and my overall breathhold for about 1 minute. :blackeye
It's amazing how much the times for beginners vary. Knowing that there's really good freedivers out there, fighting contractions over 4 or even 5 minutes, I think there's still hope for everyone. :t

 

[Antoine]

If find the variation in experiences between people in apnea very interesting.
Tom and I began practising dry static apnea together. I feel very comfortable for about two minutes, then at around the 2'30'' mark I begin to feel the urge to breath. At about 3' I get my first contractions. These get stronger and faster for about 0'30'', as I relax they get less violent but faster and faster. At the 3'30'' mark I have to hold my nose closed to avoid accidentally inhaling. At the four minute mark I strangely start to feel okay for a short while until it begins to get uncomfortable again and I unvolontarily release my nose and inhale. My PB stands at 4'21''.
Tom on the other hand hardly seems to get contractions - lucky!
I also noticed that the longer I breathed-up before a dry static, the later the contractions come, but the harder they are!
I don't really want to go any further than 4'21''. The enjoyment wears off pretty quick after 4' and I no longer feel relaxed so I don't see the point in continuing. Some people can hold contractions for ages but I only think its worthwhile if your enjoying it, not if you're on the verge of passing out!

 

[sai]

I also noticed that the longer I breathed-up before a dry static, the later the contractions come, but the harder they are!
I don't really want to go any further than 4'21''. The enjoyment wears off pretty quick after 4' and I no longer feel relaxed so I don't see the point in continuing. Some people can hold contractions for ages but I only think its worthwhile if your enjoying it, not if you're on the verge of passing out!

That's because of the stronger hyperventilation. Contractions set in later, but also come in harder.

From what I read, setting a new PB or being close to your PB is no real enjoyment for anyone. :t

P.S.: What's your fitness levels and what sports do/did you do regularly?

 

[Antoine]

That's because of the stronger hyperventilation. Contractions set in later, but also come in harder.

From what I read, setting a new PB or being close to your PB is no real enjoyment for anyone. :t

P.S.: What's your fitness levels and what sports do/did you do regularly?

Hi sai,

I am a State-sponsored athlete in windsurfing so I have compulsory medical checkups quite regularly partly to test my fitness.
I am very light for my age weighing only 54kg and meaning I have a pretty high muscle to weight ratio even though I don't have much muscle! My VO2 max is very high at over 85 although I am not so sure whether this is actually an advantage for apnea since it is a measure of oxygen intake efficiency-something not very useful when you're out of oxygen! My resting heart rate is lower than average at 56bpm and my resting respiratory rate is also very low at around 7-12 breaths per minute.

Overall i'm pretty fit. However, I don't know how much this aids in static apnea. My friend, Tom, does less exercise than I do but still has a PB a few seconds better than mine.

As for the enjoyment factor in reaching a new PB, my view is that the further you push past the point of enjoyment and relaxation, the less meaningful the PB is. I personnally do not see the point in 'enduring' contractions for a ridiculously long time unless you feel relaxed or you are doing competition. For example, in windsurfing I am always pushing myself to the very limit, often returning with bruises and blisters all over my hands, since I am doing cometition. However, when I sail for pleasure, I go easy. Afterall, the point of all sports is to have fun not to kill yourself!

 

[sai]

True words. Too bad my relaxation technique and/or co2 tolerance seems to be so bad, that I think I'm going to have to go through some uncomfort to achieve something here. my ability to deal with contractions already got a lot better, but still they nearly come as early as when I started doing breathhold training. On the other hand I also reduced my breath-up to almost zero when doing tables.

 

[Antoine]

Hi sai,

Try to be really relaxed to improve your times. I do my statics in bed after waking up. I am usually half-asleep for the first few minutes then as I start feeling less comfortable I try to distract myself by listening to my Ipod. Also, sometimes I try and construct sentenses in my head from words I see around the room. When I'm done I tend to fall asleep again only to realise my alarm went off an hour ago!zzz
Remember not to tense up accidentally when having contractions, this only makes them worse. Try to conciously relax your whole abdomen.
Hope that helps

 

[Felipe M]

Hi guys..I am as well new to freediving in a way (in a way because many times in my life I have tried to go underwater a whole 25 mt pool from side to side..or competed with some friends who lasts longer without breathing) but i started a couple of months ago to train 90 minutes five days a week.


I have kept a record of almost every dive i have made so far.

My PBs are:

Dinamyc no fins: 40mt with 53 seconds - after 1 1/2 months training
Dinamyc with fins: 50mt with 40 seconds - today after 2 months training
Static wet: 1min 49 sec - after 2 months training
Static dry (laying down on bed totally relaxed): 3min 16 sec - after the second week of training.

I dont get at all these contractions everyone talks about but what I do feel is my heart pumping so hard when i feel a strong need of breathing

Does anyone has something similar to my times??...same time of training??..so we can compare the results of our trainings weekly or monthly or..who knows???

How the heck can i quote a piece of post Antoine made about pushing further past the enjoyment limit...sounds good...but seems like if u want to get better times u have to push hard on ur self so with enough practice that enjoyment limit gets farther and you can actually relax and enjoy for a longer period of time. (just my tought )

What about sharing some data of yourselves about BPM during apnea....?!

Oh..forgot to say that what i do prior to start an apnea is that i breath shallow/normally...for 1min 30sec and then i do 3 deep inhale exhale..having exhaled all the air in my lungs on the third exhalation...I take a very deep inhale + some extra "chunks" of air i push with my mouth like swallowing the air - I apollogize for my "intent" of speaking proper english

GL HF!

 

[waterman503]

This is a helpful thread. I'm new to the sport. I'm in good shape, and I swim fairly strenuous workouts in the pool (2000-4000 meters) many times per week. Unfortunately, my static is not much better than 1:30. I know this is weak, and have been told so on this forum. I'd love for some guidance - I'm not sure if I'm just "quitting" too soon or what. For lack of a better description, at 1:30 I start to almost "gag". Sort of controllable, in a way. Hmm.

 

[Andrew the fish]

I dont get at all these contractions everyone talks about but what I do feel is my heart pumping so hard when i feel a strong need of breathing

looking at your times and distances I must say no contractions because you haven't reached them yet. That simple

to waterman503, its not the first time I hear about competitive swimmers doing poorly in freediving. I am pretty sure someone will confirm and exlpain why or how to get around the problem. There was a discussion about this very thing sometime in the past.

 

[sai]

I know a pretty good swimmer myself and he did above 4 minutes on his first wet static training ever. :t

 

[Felipe M]

looking at your times and distances I must say no contractions because you haven't reached them yet. That simple

Really?

So contractions dont have nothing to do with that strong, imperative need of breathing? - Is it probably because i just get nervious and stressed even before I could reach the contractions?

 

[Antoine]

Contractions occur due to an increase in CO2 in your bloodstream, not a lack of oxygen.

Nerve signals are sent to your diaphram causing it to contract and stimulate breathing in order for the oxygen-CO2 levels in your blood to reach the normal equilibrium. However, you can actually 'hold on' for much longer than the urge-to-breath and the contractions seem to suggest!

Oxygen levels in your body tend to lower at a slower rate than CO2 levels rise. Therefore, you feel the urge to breath before your body actually has a significant, and potentially dangerous, lack of oxygen. Don't get me wrong however, too much CO2 is just as dangerous as too little oxygen.

However, your body can handle quite high levels of CO2 before it begins to become dangerous. In any case, unless you are highly trained, there is a point, usually after several contractions, where your body will not be able to handle it anymore and you will unvolontarily breath before reaching the point of black out. Therefore, it is perfectly safe to feel contractions and to let them occur since you cannot hold your breath to death(above water obviously).

To be even safer, and thus more relaxed, lie face up on a bed to do statics so that even if you do lose conciousness, you will not fall and hurt yourself and your airways will be open.

Finally, in my view, you should not feel as though you HAVE TO endure contractions whilst you are not relaxed. There is no point in 'enduring' contractions as you will feel very uncomfortable. Only attempt to overcome them when you feel completely relaxed. In the end there is no point in putting yourself through misery!