Number of packs
When I hear people say that they pack up to 60 times, I fear it may be misleading for many newcomers to freediving.
The point of packing is gradually increasing lung volume and using your cheeks and tongue to 'pack' air into your lungs that your diaphagm can't possibly do on its own. So perhaps those who find they pack 60 times, don't inhale a large quantity of air to start with.
Packing efficiently is most important.
This weekend was my first day of diving for the year. Out of curiosity, I tested my lung volume with a spirometer first without packing: 6.78L. Then with packing, it took about 18 packs and I got 8.11L, then an hour later, just before diving I did another packing test and got 8.43L.
Pretty normal numbers: about a liter and a half increase in volume in about ten seconds. But after 5 months of inactivity, I was happy to see that my lung volume was the same as it was when I was actively freediving last year.
Of course the other use of packing is to stretch the lungs and prepare them for pressure at depth. I suppose if I tried adding on packs to my max, I could over time nudge my lung volume up a bit, but there is a physical limit to how much air you can get in. (The size of your rib cage and your lung tissue) For me, my max is just under 9L (so far 8.81L). So the energy required to eke out that last half a liter isn't worth it for me.
So to answer advice about packing and light-headedness:
Some people have low blood pressure to start with and can rarely pack without a black out.
For the benefits of lung stretching, do it lying down and pack slowly as Cliff does. You should have time to feel your vision tunnelling in as your bp drops. Always exhale slowly to avoid a rapid pressure change, even when you feel fine.
If you black out when lying down, perhaps a doctor can give you valuable information about your blood pressure.
Focus not on the number of packs, but on the sensation. And if you have a spirometer, you can see how efficient you are.
When I started freediving, my lung capacity was about 5.7L. Since then, through packing and reducing residual volume, it's much higher. Which always helps.
The debate over the time spent packing is worth it is a long one, but many freedivers find that packing is the difference between 30m and 50m+. Mostly for equalizing reasons. That's been my experience, anyway.
Pete
