Recently returned from Papua with mixed results:
Initially hoped to continue phase II of breath-hold diving experiments looking at gas-exchange (testing narcotic potential with depth) and breath-hold diving beyond residual volume. This was to be done by a subjective look at narcotic potential with various combinations of lung volumes and diving depths and, without the compounding and variable effect of exercise. We controlled the latter by using weights for descents and a modified, variable/ high-speed electric DRUMS for ascents. We’d also hoped that, perhaps, we might be able to touch on the 200m milestone as I felt it was physically and mentally within reach for me. Alas this was not to be.
Due to university commitments I’d planned for a 10-day stretch in which to carry-out these dives, diving every day, once to twice a day, depending on the depth. Some were concerned for DCI but previous dives showed that with proper warm-up procedures, correct juggling of dive depths, ample surface intervals and a dose of in-water recompression using O2 at the end of each session it could be done safely. Paul Murray, dive supervisor, arrived in Walindi (New Britain), some 10 days before I did to set-up dive boats and overcome any potential and unforseen last minute problems.
By the time I arrived in Walindi, after almost 24 hours of travelling, things were in place and ready to go. The following day we began diving operations with an easy 100m or so…well it felt like that anyway. Day 2, 122m and then things started to go desperately wrong. Over the ensuing days, for one reason or another, various components of the electric DRUMS failed; meaning that dives could only be done with just the back-up security system (manual DRUMS). It was a disappointing moment as both Graham Simpson (the medical officer) and a film crew from the ABC’s Catalyst program were currently on their way over from Australia. Repeated efforts by Paul and the electronics engineer to resolve these problems proved helpful, but with only three days to spare, inconsistent seas, a still non-functional surface dive monitor and no possibility to get decent build-up depths it became clear that things were becoming somewhat unpredictable, desperate and potentially unsafe.
Paul approached me and voiced his concerns regarding his ability to ensure my complete security under the current circumstances. After a group deliberation including myself Graham and Paul it became evident that this would become a reckless, “fly by the seat of your pants” operation. The film crew was visibly disappointed and so to salvage what was left of the situation I suggested we make the most of the situation and shift attention over the remaining three days to some unassisted ‘exhale-and-sink’ dives since I hadn’t brought my monofin. Once again spirits were lifted and it was hoped that I would somehow be able to surpass the world mark of 61m. With three days to spare and no specific preparation I personally felt it was unrealistic! However…
We sheltered behind the reef in some 80m of water and after a few hours of delays, boat positioning and repositioning I was free to dive. Despite the tropical surrounds it was evident that being able to stay warm long enough to do allow myself an in-water warm-up would be difficult and a bit of a hit-and-miss affair. The first of these days proved relatively effortless. On the first of these days, I resurfaced after a 43m dive with no urge to breathe but, I did feel some muscular fatigue in my upper-body during the last 10m of my ascent. Indeed, some 10 or so seconds after surfacing I was panting like a dog! This came as no surprise as it was simply an unclamping of the peripheral circulation and the release of metabolic waste products into the general circulation. By day two I decided to step it up to 50m or so. My technique, admittedly, was a bit rough but I felt, based on my previous diving trails in the pool and buoyancy differences aside, I probably had enough to manage, a ‘hard’, +65m. Anyway, after some delays in setting-up and difficulties with shivering on the surface before my dive I reached 52m with plenty of energy to spare but the muscles more fatigued than the previous day. The cold was running havoc with my ability to equalize my ears as I was losing control of my Eustachian tubes.
The last day. Mistiming my equalization I aborted at 15m. This forced me to resurface and regroup for another try, but the cold was difficult to handle and equalizing was proving ever more difficult now. Descending past 50m I release my nose-plug to no effect as my tubes sealed shut. At 57m I felt the ear squeeze and so tumble turned. Hovering for an instant, I looked down at the weight that signified 62m but I knew that this would be the extra 5m that broke the ‘camel’s back.’ I must have lingered too long or the cold had been too severe for me, as swimming up was like pulling my way through mud! I could feel the muscular effort and fatigue already setting in at 50m and it was a long climb to go yet. By the time I reached 15m and saw Dale, the security freediver I knew I had but a few strokes to go and I was still very lucid and in control but I suspect my technique must have been reduced to nothing as my arms felt like lead. Never out of breath but clearly very tired I felt relieved that we’d been able to salvage at least something out of a dire and desperate situation.
For those of you interested in some of my findings or wishing to know more about how to effectively use this diving strategy you can check my new (preliminary) website I constructed just recently at www.sebastienmurat.com
Regards,
Sebastien Murat
Initially hoped to continue phase II of breath-hold diving experiments looking at gas-exchange (testing narcotic potential with depth) and breath-hold diving beyond residual volume. This was to be done by a subjective look at narcotic potential with various combinations of lung volumes and diving depths and, without the compounding and variable effect of exercise. We controlled the latter by using weights for descents and a modified, variable/ high-speed electric DRUMS for ascents. We’d also hoped that, perhaps, we might be able to touch on the 200m milestone as I felt it was physically and mentally within reach for me. Alas this was not to be.
Due to university commitments I’d planned for a 10-day stretch in which to carry-out these dives, diving every day, once to twice a day, depending on the depth. Some were concerned for DCI but previous dives showed that with proper warm-up procedures, correct juggling of dive depths, ample surface intervals and a dose of in-water recompression using O2 at the end of each session it could be done safely. Paul Murray, dive supervisor, arrived in Walindi (New Britain), some 10 days before I did to set-up dive boats and overcome any potential and unforseen last minute problems.
By the time I arrived in Walindi, after almost 24 hours of travelling, things were in place and ready to go. The following day we began diving operations with an easy 100m or so…well it felt like that anyway. Day 2, 122m and then things started to go desperately wrong. Over the ensuing days, for one reason or another, various components of the electric DRUMS failed; meaning that dives could only be done with just the back-up security system (manual DRUMS). It was a disappointing moment as both Graham Simpson (the medical officer) and a film crew from the ABC’s Catalyst program were currently on their way over from Australia. Repeated efforts by Paul and the electronics engineer to resolve these problems proved helpful, but with only three days to spare, inconsistent seas, a still non-functional surface dive monitor and no possibility to get decent build-up depths it became clear that things were becoming somewhat unpredictable, desperate and potentially unsafe.
Paul approached me and voiced his concerns regarding his ability to ensure my complete security under the current circumstances. After a group deliberation including myself Graham and Paul it became evident that this would become a reckless, “fly by the seat of your pants” operation. The film crew was visibly disappointed and so to salvage what was left of the situation I suggested we make the most of the situation and shift attention over the remaining three days to some unassisted ‘exhale-and-sink’ dives since I hadn’t brought my monofin. Once again spirits were lifted and it was hoped that I would somehow be able to surpass the world mark of 61m. With three days to spare and no specific preparation I personally felt it was unrealistic! However…
We sheltered behind the reef in some 80m of water and after a few hours of delays, boat positioning and repositioning I was free to dive. Despite the tropical surrounds it was evident that being able to stay warm long enough to do allow myself an in-water warm-up would be difficult and a bit of a hit-and-miss affair. The first of these days proved relatively effortless. On the first of these days, I resurfaced after a 43m dive with no urge to breathe but, I did feel some muscular fatigue in my upper-body during the last 10m of my ascent. Indeed, some 10 or so seconds after surfacing I was panting like a dog! This came as no surprise as it was simply an unclamping of the peripheral circulation and the release of metabolic waste products into the general circulation. By day two I decided to step it up to 50m or so. My technique, admittedly, was a bit rough but I felt, based on my previous diving trails in the pool and buoyancy differences aside, I probably had enough to manage, a ‘hard’, +65m. Anyway, after some delays in setting-up and difficulties with shivering on the surface before my dive I reached 52m with plenty of energy to spare but the muscles more fatigued than the previous day. The cold was running havoc with my ability to equalize my ears as I was losing control of my Eustachian tubes.
The last day. Mistiming my equalization I aborted at 15m. This forced me to resurface and regroup for another try, but the cold was difficult to handle and equalizing was proving ever more difficult now. Descending past 50m I release my nose-plug to no effect as my tubes sealed shut. At 57m I felt the ear squeeze and so tumble turned. Hovering for an instant, I looked down at the weight that signified 62m but I knew that this would be the extra 5m that broke the ‘camel’s back.’ I must have lingered too long or the cold had been too severe for me, as swimming up was like pulling my way through mud! I could feel the muscular effort and fatigue already setting in at 50m and it was a long climb to go yet. By the time I reached 15m and saw Dale, the security freediver I knew I had but a few strokes to go and I was still very lucid and in control but I suspect my technique must have been reduced to nothing as my arms felt like lead. Never out of breath but clearly very tired I felt relieved that we’d been able to salvage at least something out of a dire and desperate situation.
For those of you interested in some of my findings or wishing to know more about how to effectively use this diving strategy you can check my new (preliminary) website I constructed just recently at www.sebastienmurat.com
Regards,
Sebastien Murat