Everest then Freediving Course?

[angenaline]

Been a long time since I came here, but here goes. I have been interested in freediving for about two years now, and I finally found the opportunity to do something about it. I'm going to Asia for three months this summer.

My question is a little complicated, but you guys always seem ready to help. I'm going to be trekking in the Himalayas for two weeks, and then immediately flying to Thailand for the freediving course. It will be a couple of days between very high altitude and swimming in the ocean, so I'm not worried about that, but...

In preparing for these things, would one help the other or hinder? I'm doing a lot of cardio to prepare, and I'm hoping that will aid both endeavors. Is this dreaming on my part? I've read a little about hypoxic training helping freediving, but not about apnea training helping climbing. What do you guys think of this? Anybody here both climb mountains and freedive?

angela

 

[Pastor]

A guy who spears with us summited Everest last year and was in the water with us a couple of weeks later. He was awesomely fit at the time from the climb so I couldn't really answer your question with any honesty but it was discussed here a few months ago. Try a search on high altitude

 

[angenaline]

Thank you. I've been reading, but a lot of it just comes shy of answering my question. Does freediving training help avoid altitude sickness? Does being at a high altitude for weeks help freediving? This last question appears to be answered yes, but mostly with hypoxic tents being the topic of conversation. And I might be on the wrong forum for the first question.

 

[Mullins]

Extreme altitude training will probably help your freediving, but only if you are already at a level where hypoxia is limiting you. If you are just starting out then carbon dioxide and anxiety are likely to be more immediate concerns. The overall strength and fitness you'd gain from a trip like that doesn't directly translate into 'freedive fitness,' but will probably give you power in reserve and you'll be able to maintain technique pretty well without fatiguing and getting sloppy.

As far as apnea training aiding your climbing... it would need to be some seriously tough hypoxic training!!

 

[Erik]

I wouold think that if you did a series of breatholds every day, then your haemoglobin count should be up, thereby helping your O2 transfer at altitude. Breatholding and Ujayai (sp) pranayama breathing are a poor man's altitude training.
The breatholds would be 3 to 5 successive holds that result in a max attempt every day. With that, know that you'll need lots of antioxidants, plus a day off every week or less.

 

[monkeyhatfork]

a tad bit off but sorta related, I recently saw a program Showing UFC fighters doing no-fins dynamic and jogging and weightlifting with snorkels on to train for late rounds in fights when oxygen dyprived, so might help your general conditioning for climbing, don't now about altitude though.

 

[angenaline]

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate it.