Can I damage my lungs doing static apnea?

[thestefanhansen]

Hey all!

I'm new to freediving and to this forum.

In the last couple of days I've increased my dry static from 0.40-1.30 in the first days to 3.30 yesterday, and 3.40 today. Now I have a little pain in my chest. Not much, but still.

I'm an "old school" martial artist, and have a tendency to over train. If I could, I would like to train freediving 10-20 hours a week, but can I do that without injuring myself?

I would really like to push my dry static some more. I feel rather confident that I can hold it for 30-60 seconds longer than my current best of 3.40. The only reason why I don't, is that I'm uncertain about the consequences. Yes, a blackout is possible, but that not my prime concern. What about the lungs? Is there any risk of a lung injury if the willpower is stronger than the physique?

Thanks,
Stefan

 

[Apneaddict]

Lungs should be fine at full inhale / breath hold.

Dry training is very safe.

10-20 hrs a week is fine... As long as you're eating healthy (fruit, vegetables, antioxidants, etc) and includes a lot of swimming, underwater hockey, spearfishing, etc.

20 hrs a week of O2 and CO2 tables alone will lead to burnout. Not really fun either!

Lung damage is possible with "packing", which is over filling the lungs by forcing in more with the tongue / mouth and should be done with caution and by experienced divers with a flexible rib cage / chest / torso.

 

[thestefanhansen]

Thanks!

But why the pain in my chest then? Couldn't it be from convulsions?

Oh, and what's up with antioxidants? Are free radicals released during apnea? If so, why is that?

Rock on,
Stefan

 

[esom]

If you want input there, maybe describe a little more: where? in which kontext? (time of the day, movement, global bodyposition ...)

 

[thestefanhansen]

Okay, I will.

I lie on my back, breathe for 2 minutes (5 seconds in, 10 seconds out - 8 times), then gently purge 3 times, before taking a big gulp of air. Then I hold my breath for as long as I can. I get my first contraction after 1.30-2.30, but resist the urge to breathe until 3.00-3.40. The last 30 seconds the convulsions are strong, and I feel a tingling in my feet and lower legs. I then bend my legs and move them up and down, to make sure I'm still in control of my body. I do not get dizzy or anything like that. Then I breathe out, do 3 recovery breaths, before I start over again. I repeat 3-6 times in one session, and do 3-4 sessions a day.

The pain I have now is located in the middle of my chest. I think it's in the cartilage of the rib cage, and not in the lungs. But it's hard to say with almost no experience. The pain isn't much, but could it be a warning sign?

Hope that'll do. Looking forward to some advice from more experiences people.

- Stefan

 

[Azrael3000]

Difficult to say but it seems you experience something similar to me. I solved it by doing some chest stretches before every session. In total there are three stretches:
All of them are breathholds until 10 contractions are reached with full inhales. The difference is that during the first one I have my arms stretched out above my head (similar to the glide when monofinning). The second involves turning your upper body left and right (switch in middle) and the final one consists of pushing your arms as far back as possible.

These exercises are commonly used as pack stretching, but as I don't practise packing I just use a full inhale. Pack stretching can be dangerous so don't do it unless you have proper guidance, but as said it is not necessary for me.

If my explanation was unclear I should have a document somewhere. Otherwise give it a try.

 

[Apneaddict]

Could be the cartilage : rib cage stretching from all of the full inhalations.

Is it only a dull ache that hurts with a full breath or a torso twist?

Might actually be a good sign is effective stretching.

Take a day off an are if it feels better.

3-4 sessions of max O2 holds is a LOT!!

I think you'd risk overtraining.

 

[thestefanhansen]

Thanks guys.

I'll try the stretches.

And yes, it's only a dull pain, hurting when twisting mostly.

Now, if this might lead to overtraining, then how can I train 10-20 hours a week without overtraining?

 

[Apneaddict]

Don't only do static breath holding, instead add in some swimming, gym training, underwater sports, etc.