Decreased performance

[Matt84]

So today i went spearfishing in depths ranging from 60-80 ft. Usually i can stay down anywhere from a 1:30-2:30. But today i had a really hard time staying down for 2:00. I was also uncomfortable with the pressure on my lungs and was getting contractions on the descent which i usually don't get until at least a 1:45. Also my legs were burning bad on the way up. So ilm thinking what's causing this decreased performance?. I haven't done any diving for about month before today. I also added running to my exercise and did a 60 minute run the day before. I have also been packing recently to increase my lung capacity. So would any of these factors be the culprit

thanks
matt

 

[DivingDane]

every dive day is differrent and is something you have to take into account.

stresses from your day to day life have a massive impact on performance:
- didnt sleep well
- hungover
- sick
- stressed from work
- arguement with your partner
- family stress etc.
- current
- visibility
- distance swum before the dive.

all have an effect and are something you have to take into account. take every dive day as a new day and only dive to your comfort zone of THAT day not the day before or any other day.

Packing can have some inpact if your body is getting used to the full feeling of packing but when you spearfish you dont pack so the lungs feel more empty at depth (pressure change).

the run shouldnt be a massive issue although i generally tend not to exporsize before a big day diving. but thats just me i know others whos best performances were after extreme work outs.

Dont stress to much about it we all have bad days even the Pro's i've watched 200m plus dynaqmic divers have an off day and pull up at 25m.

depth guys that generally comforatbly reach 40-50m struggle and stop at 25m due to not feeling right.

so it happens to everyone, chances are your next dive will be much better, i think the key is to make sure you relax and dont push too hard and the dpeth and time come with the relaxation.

DD

 

[zecheer]

I've had the same problem a few days ago, had diner with maybe too much wine (I'm french hey you know how we are !) the evening before diving, lots of work and stress the same day : no way to get under 30ft, just did'nt feel like it at all...
I think it's part physical AND psychological, but in any way, don't push it when you don't feel like it.

Don't worry, you'll be better next time, and we are all humans after all :t !

 

[Matt84]

Thanks for the info dane and regarding the the possible effects of packing my lungs did feel empty at depth on full inhale as compared to when i wasn't practicing packing.The reason why i started packing was to increase lung capacity for competitive freediving which i've been trying to get into.So if i stopped packing would my lungs go back to normal size and feel like how they use to at depth

thanks
matt

 

[DivingDane]

i'll prob get shot for this because the general trend is definetly packing however i dont really see the need fpor it until you start reaching VERY deep depths. i honestly think that reaching your maximum without packing first and then switching to packing if your really need to will improve your overall dive ability. i really belive that depths in excess of 60m should be VERY doable without packing.

i know a couple of divers who started packing very early and reached a barrier very early because the packing bypassed the technique issues they have so now they are going back to none packing to improve technique and many of them are diving just as deep if not deeper.

For me personally i am only justy getting into the comp side of things and will once i have reached 50m switch from inhale to FRC but that is purely a personal preference and will not make competitive in the long run but not really an issue for me.

i would focus on perfecting your relaxation and ribcage flexibility, mouthfill technique before going to packing and find where your limit is with these first.

DD

 

[Lil Dragonfly]

I don't know about you guys, but I learned the hard way that when I am sleep-deprived, I can't hold my breath for very long at all.

Did you get a good night's sleep the night before?

 

[Matt84]

I had slept ok but was still tired during the dive and was constantly yawning

matt

 

[yakfisher]

I got my dry static up to 4:05. I started running and my body is breaking down getting back into running shape. Now my dry static is around 2:00. I'm new at this so I'm experimenting a lot.

 

[tuffstuff]

I am no doctor or expert freediver but I do not have problems freediving unless:
1. I am still drunk from the night before (puking in snorkel and seeing double)
2. I am sick (I get tired on my deeper dives and easily worn out)

I only dive to 100ft for spearfishing though and my bottom times are very short. I believe it is almost 100% mental.

 

[titan]

when swicthing either to frc or packing at the begining stage your performance will decrease

 

[nz676]

i think you may be experiencing some anxiety it sounds like a mental thing i think u need to focus on relaxing try a longer breath up more time to relax