jwp266 said:
out of interest, what as an estimate what percentage of people on these forums can do 5 minutes? Can the majority do it?
Apparently most of the people that have an interest and the will to train for a month of two will do 4 min, while a few can already reach 5 and a handful even 6 (i quote from memory from several sources that i read in the past from verious sources, here is one at
www.freedivers.net
"Usually the man in the street, when asked, can probably hold his breath for no more than 0:45 seconds to a minute and a half. After short instruction in breathing techniques, warm-up procedures and simple mental techniques in 2 or 3 days, he probably can do in excess of 2 minutes and after 3 or 4 weeks with a practice of 3 times a week, can probably manage 4 minutes".
From 4-5min up to say 7 or 8 min it's a very long trip i suspect, one i started but have not finished yet

There was a very good thread here on DB on how to go over 6.30min which is considered, by some, the limit between "amator" and "pro".
So, 5 is great after a short training, if you want some recognition

! But if you are motivated only by comparision with others, that's not gonna take you far, i suspect - this is a mind game of relaxation more than a competion, though for some reaching the top can be the only reason to be i the game - if so, Tom Sietas did already 10 min in training (and 9.20min plus in competition though it was not accepted as official) - that's your new target rofl