Bottom time

[Mongrel454]

Im prolly not gonna explain this well but here goes,

Usually when i go down 20-30+ft and reach the bottom most of the time i feel like im outta breath when i know im not and cant stay down there for too long. But on some occassions prolly 3 out of 10 i reach the bottom and feel like i just left the surface and i can stay down there for awhile.
Is there any reason for the inconsistancy, maybe im relaxed more on those rare dives? or something else......

Thx in advance



p.s. not sure if this right forum or not rofl

 

[Newbie_spearo]

Warming up for your dive is important, ie: spend time in 5m then6m then 7m you get the point. Also splash your face before putting your mask on, it helps send the msg to your brain that you are in water, take the chin part of your hood off your chin, supposedly helps set in the Mammalian Dive Reflex, and last but certainly not least, I was recently told that if you haven't pissed twice your brain doesn't know your body is in water. All makes sense to me? Oh I almost forgot, spend twice as long on the surface as you do under it.

 

[Mongrel454]

Thx Newbie....

Firstly i always warm up in shallows then slowly get deeper.
Secondly i havent tried splahing or removing hood from chin.
Thirdly i almost piss non stop while swimming rofl.
Fourthly the good dives arent happening at certain times they are random. I can do a really good bottom time come up and rest then try again and only get half aslong down there

 

[hudasmt]

Im prolly not gonna explain this well but here goes,

Usually when i go down 20-30+ft and reach the bottom most of the time i feel like im outta breath when i know im not and cant stay down there for too long. But on some occassions prolly 3 out of 10 i reach the bottom and feel like i just left the surface and i can stay down there for awhile.
Is there any reason for the inconsistancy, maybe im relaxed more on those rare dives? or something else......

Thx in advance



p.s. not sure if this right forum or not rofl

You are not alone:friday

 

[cdavis]

Hi Mongrel,

Hard to say what is going on with the amt of information you provide, but I suspect a weighting problem. For a 30 ft dive, you should be able to surface dive, take 2-4 easy kicks and glide to the bottom, 10-12 seconds. If not, work on weighting and surface dive technique. For diving 30 ft, you should be weighted to be neutral at about 20 ft, maybe 4 lbs of lead with no suit (that varies a lot with the individual). Check your weighting first thing by finding out what depth you can hang at with out moving up or down. Aim for a total dive time of roughly 45 seconds. That is plenty of time to get down there, spend 20 easy, relaxed seconds on the bottom, then back up. Do everything very relaxed. Get to that level and your times will expand from there, fast.

One other possibility. Your surface interval should be long enough to completely recover, roughly 2-3 times dive time.

Good luck,

Connor

 

[Kars]

Check and compare your mental states of the good and bad dives.

The best dives are timeless.

Flexibility is a big factor.
Being rested came to mind, especially when you mentioned the bad bleater control.
Be hydrated.
SLOWLY inhaling, followed by a smoothed out rounded top, and relaxation as you final breath.

Training your mental abilities is one of the most challenging. See if you can let you mind wander, without concious control. Having a distraction can help, but avoid judging, thinking. Be in the timeless now.

Having the same inconsistency problems I would love to hear what works for you, and what discoveries, ideas and techniques you may come up with. As well as possible cause you may find.

Keep us informed!

Love, Courage and Water.

Kars

 

[kmo]

Time in the water is the best thing for consistency imho. To me it sounds like anxiety, and anxiety will eventually leave with accumulated time below the surface over a period of months/years and especially when you are diving regularly.

There are heaps of factors in a good dive, and if you are distracted looking for fish, crays or your dive buddy then it is easy to miss a couple of the factors and have a crappy dive. Once more of the bits and pieces become subconcious then you will have more good dives and generally be more relaxed.

You're doing the right thing - if it doesn't feel right then give in to it and return to the surface to try again. That anxiety will burn oxygen anyway. Once on the surface you have to stop kicking your own @rse thinking 'I'm diving badly today', and just go through your routine trying to think 'this feels like a good dive, I'm doing all the right things'.

 

[GreekDiver]

anxiety ...

 

[Mongrel454]

Thanks guys/Gals i really appreciate your input. I think u could be right with the weight issue as sometimes i seem to struggle to stay down. I will be heading out again this weekend so i will certainly keep u guys informed

p.s. I also tihink it is mental as my body feels fine but my mind is telling me to surface?