I have given up on hyperventilating and my statics have obviously dropped. My contractions start around 1:20 give or take and when I hit 2:45 it feels like I'm going to die... My body starts to thump from the blood and my body is in HARD contractions to get me to breath. Is this normal? Do I just need to continue to block it out? Or should I stop when I hit that point? Without hyperventilating I'm lucky to hit 3 minutes.
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Feelings with Static
- Thread starter J_Mad18
- Start date
Thread Status: Hello
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If it feels like you're going to die you should probably stop 
There are more experienced people to give you advice on this but my personal view is that if you are getting to the point where it's THAT uncomfortable and not being able to go back to being relaxed you are better off stopping; rather than try to learn to endure that I would work on technique and focusing on extending the relaxed part of your dive - the rest (ie longer times) should then come naturally. It'll probably take you a bit longer to extend your times this way but progress will be more sustainable this way (say compared to pushing hard to endure a few more seconds which only going to take you... a few seconds longer )
Ps contractions are not a problem themselves (many people can take several minutes of them and they do actually help) but loss of relaxation is a problem..
Really interested to find out what more experienced people have to say on this, I'm really curious myself because so far I've always stopped when I couldn't get back into a relaxed state..
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There are more experienced people to give you advice on this but my personal view is that if you are getting to the point where it's THAT uncomfortable and not being able to go back to being relaxed you are better off stopping; rather than try to learn to endure that I would work on technique and focusing on extending the relaxed part of your dive - the rest (ie longer times) should then come naturally. It'll probably take you a bit longer to extend your times this way but progress will be more sustainable this way (say compared to pushing hard to endure a few more seconds which only going to take you... a few seconds longer
)Ps contractions are not a problem themselves (many people can take several minutes of them and they do actually help) but loss of relaxation is a problem..
Really interested to find out what more experienced people have to say on this, I'm really curious myself because so far I've always stopped when I couldn't get back into a relaxed state..
Posted via Mobile Device
uh... this is the wisest thing you could ever do in your diving life
for the rest, i totally agree with simos: look for relaxation
relaxing techniques you can train "dry" and apply during statics help out a LOT
of course, you must take it easy at first and not focus on time
a helpful thing you can do is make several statics getting out at the very first time you feel uncomfortable, to learn how good it feels before and coming out with the best thoughts possible
I keep a repetitive positive mantra up in my head when I'm doing statics. Something like: Yes! Excellent! this is a great static effort!
I find when I'm thinking words like this I spend less time thinking: Arrrrrrgh it's horrible, make it stop.
Have you been doing CO2 or O2 tables? Doing a series of holds will usually make the contractions come a bit later.
Statics are hard. That's all there is to it. If it was easy then everyone would be able to hold their breath for 10 minutes. I find that the closest I get to a good feeling on a static is when I am about 15-30 from my target time. It's at this time that I know I can do it, and that helps. It still hurts and I still have to fight but the end is in sight. I have heard of others having problems with feelings of depression linked to apnea and training. I haven't had this but I find it very easy to kill a static attempt just by having an accidental negative thought.
Keep at it, but if it gets to be too much, take some time off. A ton of contractions can wear your mind out as much as your diaphragm.
Keep at it, but if it gets to be too much, take some time off. A ton of contractions can wear your mind out as much as your diaphragm.
Hi J_Mad18,
Static apnea is very interesting discipline because it feels like you are dreaming during the attempt. However, we should prepare our body in order to achieve better and better times.
First of all, we must improve our stamina. Stamina is vital for static because it helps us to recover faster and manage our oxygen to our body efficiently.
Also, you needn't try to do big steps in short time. Enjoy your training and with small steps at every practice, soon, we will see that you will be able to hold your breathe more.
Some useful tables to start with(according to your pb), you can increase your rest and reduce the times.
warming with 1 static for 30sec or more only to set your self in right mood.
45sec static 60'' rest or 2min for the very beginning
1 min static 60'' rest
1'15 static 60'' rest
1'30 static 60'' rest
1'45 static 60'' rest
2'00 static 60'' rest
2'15 static 60'' rest
max attempt.
1'30 static 60'' rest
1'30 static 55'' rest
1'30 static 50'' rest
1'30 static 45'' rest
1'30 static 40'' rest
1'30 static 35'' rest
1'30 static 30'' rest
1'30 static 25'' rest
1'30 static 20'' rest.
At your attempt try not to think anythink. And try not to eat anythink for some hours before your training.
Static apnea is very interesting discipline because it feels like you are dreaming during the attempt. However, we should prepare our body in order to achieve better and better times.
First of all, we must improve our stamina. Stamina is vital for static because it helps us to recover faster and manage our oxygen to our body efficiently.
Also, you needn't try to do big steps in short time. Enjoy your training and with small steps at every practice, soon, we will see that you will be able to hold your breathe more.
Some useful tables to start with(according to your pb), you can increase your rest and reduce the times.
warming with 1 static for 30sec or more only to set your self in right mood.
45sec static 60'' rest or 2min for the very beginning
1 min static 60'' rest
1'15 static 60'' rest
1'30 static 60'' rest
1'45 static 60'' rest
2'00 static 60'' rest
2'15 static 60'' rest
max attempt.
1'30 static 60'' rest
1'30 static 55'' rest
1'30 static 50'' rest
1'30 static 45'' rest
1'30 static 40'' rest
1'30 static 35'' rest
1'30 static 30'' rest
1'30 static 25'' rest
1'30 static 20'' rest.
At your attempt try not to think anythink. And try not to eat anythink for some hours before your training.
Relax. Don't worry that you're not hyperventilating. Trust yourself. Find a happy place (sing yourself a song or imagine yourself relaxing somewhere beautiful. Wear a comfortable suit. Stop all forced breathing. Close your eyes. Find your space before you start diving. Dispense with warm ups. Find a good coach who will help you relax and talk you through the tough times. And, remember less is more with freediving - do less, feel fresher and have more enjoyable, longer dives. A couple of long dives is better (for those competing anyway) than lots of short ones.
hi J_Mad18
For me its all about the warm up. Staic is mainly about relaxation, and the warm up must be done whilst staying calm and relaxed. The main purpose of the warm ups for me is to bring on the mammalian dive reflex! As I work through my warm ups then the breath hold time slowly starts to increase.
I do:
2 min breathe up - breath hold to contraction
1min rest - 2 min breathe up - Breath hold to contraction + 30sec
1min rest - 2 min breathe up - breath hold to contraction + 45 sec
This way you do not have to worry about the time until you get your first contraction. Also the warm up is not a strict stressful warm up. If you are tired or not really 100% in the zone then the warm up will still be effective as you are still holding to contraction.
during the max attempt do not look at the time or have anyone tell you the time, it helps for relaxation and does not add unnecessary stress to the breath hold.
After the contractions start then try to keep the head and neck relaxed. The contractions are only in the diaphragm so try to only allow that part of the body to move. Any further movement is wasting valuable oxygen.
The need to breath comes from built up levels of CO2. The lungs still contain more than enough O2 when contractions start.
My main advise is not to do large jumps in static time. If you can do 3 mins the dont try 3.30, increase in stages the you are not only teaching your body to work with increase levels of C02 and decreased levels of O2 but you also learn what you personal limits are.
Also never do this alone! always have a trained freediver with you
sam
For me its all about the warm up. Staic is mainly about relaxation, and the warm up must be done whilst staying calm and relaxed. The main purpose of the warm ups for me is to bring on the mammalian dive reflex! As I work through my warm ups then the breath hold time slowly starts to increase.
I do:
2 min breathe up - breath hold to contraction
1min rest - 2 min breathe up - Breath hold to contraction + 30sec
1min rest - 2 min breathe up - breath hold to contraction + 45 sec
This way you do not have to worry about the time until you get your first contraction. Also the warm up is not a strict stressful warm up. If you are tired or not really 100% in the zone then the warm up will still be effective as you are still holding to contraction.
during the max attempt do not look at the time or have anyone tell you the time, it helps for relaxation and does not add unnecessary stress to the breath hold.
After the contractions start then try to keep the head and neck relaxed. The contractions are only in the diaphragm so try to only allow that part of the body to move. Any further movement is wasting valuable oxygen.
The need to breath comes from built up levels of CO2. The lungs still contain more than enough O2 when contractions start.
My main advise is not to do large jumps in static time. If you can do 3 mins the dont try 3.30, increase in stages the you are not only teaching your body to work with increase levels of C02 and decreased levels of O2 but you also learn what you personal limits are.
Also never do this alone! always have a trained freediver with you
sam