Dry statics (breaking 4 minutes) and safety issues

[deepbluesea]

hey guys, how safe is it to do dry statics under no supervision. my current pb is 3 min 40 but i want to bring it up to 4 minutes.. how do i break the 4 minute barrier? will that be another level of training? i feel i have reached the point where i am getting stuck at around 2:30 - 3 minute mark before i get strong contractions.. from about 2 min 40 onwards i do have to admit i feel a little hot in the head but no dizziness what so ever, and prior to the breath hold i never hyperventiliated...i have monitored how my body feels on a regular basis. i am wondering if this is a normal feeling as to be expected of pushing it further or am i doing something wrong.
- i also got a final question about blacking out doing a dry static.. is there any possibility of that happeneing? and would you be able to regain consciousness yourself unlike blacking out in the water..

Thank you for the feedback and tips

 

[Azrael3000]

Blacking out in dry statics is certainly possible and even though it's not guaranteed death as in the water, it's still a very dangerous thing. Your tongue can fall back and close your throat, which would be fatal.
So in short, have somebody by your side. Even better, joint a freediving club, learn how to practise this amazing sport in a safe manner and find new friends. They will surely give you all the tips you want plus more, then in the end, dry statics is only half the fun of going out and diving.

So how to improve your apnea capability? Do some CO2/O2 tables, learn to relax and occupy/empty your mind. And the best? Forget about these numbers, just enjoy it, the numbers will come as a side effect.

And to reiterate once more, always freedive with a buddy.

 

[Hydro-Mike]

X2 The above, relax and don't worry about the numbers.Really work on the relaxing sequence take 15 min to really decompress. Allow your mind to get through the normal stuff that occurs when you idle it. Then do some muscle group relaxation, then start your mental sequence (go to your place). Do it right ; and if your thinking about numbers your not relaxed enough, and you will break through without effort. You have already spent some time getting ready, you'll learn this and get through it, just don't woory about it.

 

[deepbluesea]

hey guys thanks for the feedback!!!. i started myself with some tables and managed to hit the 4 minute mark, was quite pleased about that. in fact i was doing an O2 table and slowly increased my breathholding time..As you guys have said that the main priority is to learn to relax.i heard from another freediver that this relaxed state is the equivalent to being comatose some what or like feeling your going to sleep sorta.. i feel i am able to put my self in that state but i start to lose it when i get my first contraction and subsequent ones to come.. but one thing i found was the the deeper the relaxed state im in, the later contractions came about... this relates to my next question of hyperventilation.. i found that while doing the tables, there might be a tendency to hyperventilate during the 2 minute break/ recovery period but it probably is unconcious and i do not realise i might be doing so.. that could be why my subsequent breatholds had later contractions and felt some what easier.?????

i also realise that as you proceed further into the breath hold you have to be aware of certain feelings that are noticeable but at different phases of the breathhold. at one point in time.. i feel there is a pressure build up or rush of blood to the head (feels hot).. this happens a little while into the contraction phase... are these normal feelings? or feelings before passing out?? one thing i felt when i was apporaching 4 minutes was i felt i was getting tunnel vision somewhat...

 

[deepbluesea]

Blacking out in dry statics is certainly possible and even though it's not guaranteed death as in the water, it's still a very dangerous thing. Your tongue can fall back and close your throat, which would be fatal.
So in short, have somebody by your side. Even better, joint a freediving club, learn how to practise this amazing sport in a safe manner and find new friends. They will surely give you all the tips you want plus more, then in the end, dry statics is only half the fun of going out and diving.

So how to improve your apnea capability? Do some CO2/O2 tables, learn to relax and occupy/empty your mind. And the best? Forget about these numbers, just enjoy it, the numbers will come as a side effect.

And to reiterate once more, always freedive with a buddy.

alkjdfaksljfhda

 

[Apneaddict]

Tunnel vision is a symptom of o2 deprivation and often near to blackout.

I've experienced it in a pool static and I think it scared me and adrenaline pumped and I got excited and the full peripheral vision came back. LOL

 

[growingupninja]

Tunnel vision is not always a sign of impending BO; I think it would vary a great deal among individuals but strong DR can cause tunnel vision, and while low O2 would trigger strong DR in most divers, strong DR may happen while you still have loads of O2. I get a tunneling; I've done tests with an O2 meter showing 98% O2 while having massive contractions and narrowing vision. For me though, critically low O2 causes a dimming of vision.

While you may be over breathing during the vent phase, holds get easier during a set of tables because your dive response (at least bradycardia and vasoconstriction) comes later as your body gets used to high CO2/low O2 for the day/session.