Hello - new and curious

[vladman]

Hello all,

This post is more a hello than a specific question...

I have loved diving all my life... Always prefered being under water than on the surface. My father and my uncle both loved diving too and could both hold their breath for a long time (3-4 minutes), and I guess their passion for diving has rubbed off on me.

I remember as a boy, I'd sit on the sofa, and do static apnea (obviously I had no idea it was called that back then). Without much trouble, after about 4-5 attempts, inhaling and exhaling deeply between each attempt, I'd reach 3, then 4 minutes. I don't remember exactly, but I got close to 5 once.

I'm 34 years old now, I don't smoke (I never have), and I don't... gulp... excercise at all. But I'm only 3-4kg overweight, I guess I have a fast metabolism. I'm 5.11 (180cm) and 83kg.

Out of curiosity, as I was reading the posts on this forum (every now and then I come back to freediving websites, the interest never goes away), I decided to see what I can do now. I held my breath after about 3 deep inhales/exhales. I lasted 2:31. So I don't think my ability has diminished over the years, I guess with every next attempt I'd go further, just like before (but obviously hitting the limit soon).

What I'm curious about is, what the more experienced ones amongst you think about my potential (for long static apnea). Don't worry about hurting my ego... I like to think my potential is "good" or "above average", but go on, hit me with it. Personally, I guess I'd be happy if I could reach... let's say... 6.

I guess I'm trying to figure out if it's worth it me getting into this more seriously, like taking up training, etc. Or should I leave it to the pros.

Cheers guys and gals.

 

[immerlustig]

hi vladman,

welcome to the forum

about your question, i'd say 6 min are definitely well within reach. if you are motivated enough to keep a decent training schedule up, that is. there are tons of suggestions and training tips here and i recommend you use the search function.

of all things necessary you should have a good understanding of the risks involved and you should learn about those and possible safety procedures straight away. for a start it might be good if you'd just do dry statics and get into water after you find a proper training buddy. blacking out in water all by yourself will most likely lead to death by drowning.

also, don't have too many expectations as the quality of training can vary a lot from person to person and development therefore varies a lot. unrealistic expectations cause frustration will will put a damper on your training motivation and the possible results.

you can post your progress, which many people do, and you'll always get feedback and suggestions.

enjoy,

roland

 

[vladman]

hello roland, thanks for your reply.

regarding training, i have very little chance of training in the water, and all of the times i mentioned were achieve in the dry, and if i do take up training it will continue to be in the dry most of the time. do i assume correctly if i do suffer a blackout in the dry (is this possible?) i should be relatively safe (as long as I'm lying on my bed, or sitting on the sofa)?

i'm sure you're right regarding being careful not to expect too much and too fast from myself.

i've already had a good look around the website and the posts with those tables, and other advice for newbies, and i hope i'll soon start to train.

one thing that occured to me, i don't remember ever (not once) sufferning from any kind of convulsions or sambas or blacking out. i only "struggle" a bit towards the end of my breath-hold, it simply becomes very difficult being without air, but it doesn't cause any involuntary physical reactions. is this normal, and am i not trying hard enough - in other words, should anyone who's trying hard enough experience some or all of these rather unpleasant sounding side-effects?

thanks!

 

[xahx]

you dont get convulsions??? i think everyone does! maybe you havent recognized the feeling yet.. you feel it in your abs, it basically is the state you are in when your body is telling you to breath.

I have convulsions at around 2:30 and my max hold is 4:10 so far, i have been training pretty vigorously the past few weeks.

from what i have read static apnea is not going to improve your bottom time. Ie you are constantly needing to equalize where in dry apnea you are not doing that.

Its all about the time you spend in the water, is my conclusion from my research, and i truly believe it. you MUST be comfortable in the water.

 

[vladman]

you dont get convulsions??? i think everyone does! maybe you havent recognized the feeling yet.. you feel it in your abs, it basically is the state you are in when your body is telling you to breath.

no, i'm sure i don't get them - it doesn't sound like they're difficult to recognise and i am very aware of my whole body during the breath-hold. i may tense my stomach muscles a little bit (and keep them tensed, i.e. not convulse), but i guess i do that in the last 10-15 seconds, as it becomes increasingly difficult not to breathe. i'll pay particular attention to any and all of this next time i try.

you MUST be comfortable in the water.

i LOVE water, just don't get the chance to be in it that often unfortunately.

thanks for your reply!

 

[lisamoore1963@s]

Is that what that was called? I used to do it laying in bed at night - thought I was just releiving tension. I want to know how to take in a wet suit... My hubby brought one home for mee but there's gaps and sags .. Any i dea how to take in a wet suit?

 

[Spaniard]

You're best off taking it to a store to fix as working with neoprene is tricky if you've not done it before!

 

[immerlustig]

vlad,

convulsions, or contractions, are experienced by the vast majority of people. contractions happen involuntarily and resemble an inhalation against a closed epiglottis. if you don't have any at all you either a) haven't held your breath long enough or b) you belong to those rare individuals who are just unlucky to not get any at all, i guess ;-)

if you keep practising breath-holding you will sooner or later push yourself enough to eventually get contractions.

the urge to breath itself, the first sensation of wanting to breathe ("burning lungs", etc) usually develops without any muscle contractions. also, beginners often have rather inconsistent development of contractions, something that sometimes changes noticably with time and training until contractions become a fairly predictable and consistent affair.

take care,

roland