Different levels in CO2 and O2 tables

[ShallowGuy]

I do the tables (both CO2 and O2) for a while now. I can obviously massive improvement thanks to this training (in static that is). What worries me my O2 table results are poor compared to CO" table. While in CO2 I see constant improvement I cannot tell this about O2. While I can do 3 min breath holds while doing CO2 (and complete all sets) I rarely can reach 4 minutes in the last set of O2 table. According to CO2 table (if we use the system that breath holds equal half of personal best) I should be somewhere around 6min PB. According to O2 table I'm around 5min. O2 table seems to be closer to reality as last time I checked my PB it was around 4:30 (dry, without major effort). CO2 tables are so much easier for me...

Is there a limit to where tables can get you? I mean, do freedivers who can hold breath for let's say 6-7min still rely on tables or there are some advanced techniques? I understand benefits coming from Yoga and meditation but I simply cannot image how come people can hold their breaths above 6 min threshold... (well, I couldn't imagine how people can hold breath for 4min before I actually got there myself haha).

 

[Kars]

From your words I make out you're just beginning, enjoying the massive and addictive progress . Doing a 6' minute breath hold indeed requires much practice. I would estimate a year of 2x a week. Personally my pb is a 7', and I think it's close to my physical ability if I don't engage in more packing, fasting etc.

My short answer is it's a matter of time and smart practice for you to reach 5 and 6.
When you hit 5+ i think the O2 table (B) is becoming less effective, because it tires you out before reaching your max limit. So what I do is reduce the number of dives, to say 5 then 3 then 1. Where with one, I only do a 15min preparation and 1 max breath-hold. What I found useful for the 4 to 7 minute level O2 practice, is not to dive according to time numbers. Instead I dive according to my feelings. I like the following table:

dive 1: 50%

2' rest

dive 2: 50%

2' rest

dive 3: 70%

2' rest

dive 4: 90%

2' rest

dive 5: 90%

The percentage is my effort level in relation to my maximum.
Practising this way I prevent exerting myself too much on low energy days, and instead of focussing on that stupid clock, I focus on learning, technique, relaxing. After the whole session my buddy will reveal my dive-times to me.

When you get to the 6+ level Herbert's Crazy table may be an efficient way to train your O2 tolerances.

 

[trux]

Perhaps your CO2 tables are not really hypercapnic enough. I see that problem at many tables that claim to be CO2 (hypercapnic), but have far too long recovery times for that, hence being closer to the hypoxic exercise than to a hypercapnic one.

At a CO2 table, any recovery times higher than 1' or maximally 1'30 make absolutely no sense and are rather counterproductive - you do then the same thing as at an O2 table. If your recovery times are longer, cut them down - start with 1 minute recovery time and reduce it by 15s each round untill you reach just 15s and then repeat several rounds with the 15s recovery for 3 or more times. I bet the difference between the O2 and CO2 max times will be then bigger.

 

[ShallowGuy]

Kars, very good tips, thank you. There is a long way ahead of me for sure.

trux, you're right. Looks like I've got my CO2 table wrong, recovery times were indeed too long. Most of the sources were showing pyramid from 2:15 to 1:00 (and then repeating 1:00 recovery time). I'm happy I asked this question - it's time to remodel the table and kick-start more serious training. Thank you.