Improving breath hold ability?

[John P]

Hi guys.

I feel my breath hold ability is not very good and would like to improve it.

I've heard that the o2 and co2 training tables are a good way but I find it quite hard to do dry statics for some reason. In water I managed a 3 min static but out of water I struggle to do over 2 mins.

Are there any exercises that are good for freediving, anearobic exercise like sprinting perhaps?

If anyone has any tips or advice I'd be grateful.

Cheers,

John.

 

[fcallagy]

Hi John,
I presume you have read the beginers freediving thread but there are other threads on apnea walking and apnea cycling/running. How long have you been practicing? whats your breath up ? How long since you have eaten before trying a table? these factors will all effect your breathhold. Any cv work will probably benefit you.

 

[John P]

Cheers - I'll have to look up those threads about apnea walking.

I haven't actually tried doing any tables - I probably should, I've just been a bit put off trying those as holding my breath out of water seems uncomfortable at present compared to in water.

It may just be that I'm out of practice and over time it'll get easier.

I'll give it some more practice and see how it goes + spending as much time in the water as possible - I'm hoping to start doing more pool sessions so that should help.

Thanks again,

John.

 

[penguinator]

In the beginning stages of diving, I would say the best thing to do is spend as much time in the water fishing or diving, and maybe a Co2 or o2 table every few days.

If you can stand the boredom of apnea walking then thats great, but I find that it is alot more interesting when you start getting a little more advanced and can add a little more variety.

Thats just my 2cents. Someone else may tell you something else entirely. Try a bit of everything and find out what works best (and is fun) for you.

 

[azapa]

Hi and Welcome,

What area of the freediving/spearfishing world would you like to focus on? A long breath hold is certainly good, and will be improved by simply trying hard and being in the water, but it isn't all things. Don't over dwell on the minutes and seconds though, just have fun and be safe. Most of my spearfishing dives are rarely over 1:30 and I have a great time. Good luck.

 

[John P]

Hi Guys - Thanks for your replys.

I seem to be improving with pool practice. Dry statics still seem very hard but much easier underwater - maybe the dive reflex helping me?
It gets easier after I've been in the pool for say 15 mins or so.

My main area of diving I'm focusing on at the moment is preparation for the AIDA ***. I know I'll have to make it to 24m underwater and so being better at breath holding should make that easier.

Thanks again,

John.

 

[inkjet]

What works for me is this: Sit at your computer and play a simple game, like Solitaire. Hold your breath and concentrate on the game. You'll find that this stretches your abilities because you're not thinking about howdifficult it all is ;-)
You can also combine this with other excersizes like first doing a short walk while holding. Sit at the computer before the contractions start and play the game.

 

[immerlustig]

john p,

if your dry breath-holds are much shorter than your wet breath-holds i'd guess your relaxation is far better in water than dry. surely the dive response plays a role as well but assuming you are a beginner then improving relaxation is of prime concern.

you can practise dry statics sitting upright, where muscle relaxation is not as good as when lying down. that has the benefit that you practise your awareness and learn to detect tension. the earlier you start relaxing unecessary muscle tension the better, obviously. don't worry about the achieved times but focus more on the quality of the training.

be sure you prepare yourself on all relevant safety issues when doing wet apnea! there are many threads here.

take care,

roland

 

[Mayol]

Hi,
I agree totally with what said immerlustig: it is certainly about relaxation.
When I was a teenager I used to train static apnea out of water (coz i could not see water that often). This is how I improved from 1'30 to 4':
I used to take 30 mins to 1 hour a day before sleeping, lights shut down, with one of my favorites music album playing => take smthg cool tho, DnB or Hardtek might work differently
You let the songs play, you never watch any clock, and you just concentrate on music, trying to accompany the song you're listening to, eyes closed, no muscle moving.
I can tell you, you get so relaxed after a dozens apnea that you don't even realize that you're staying sometimes 3' or more (but you have to keep big recovery times, like 1 song for example).
I think I even fell asleep between two apneas sometimes^^
try it

 

[John P]

Hi, Thanks for all your replies!

I like the idea of practicing to music, I'll give that ago if I can find something relaxing.

I still seem to be improving - I managed 3:30 in a pool last weekend (that's good for me). It's funny when I do dry statics I seem to get contractions earlier (eg. at 1:40) although when I did the 3:30 in water I didn't really get contractions as such - just a feeling of being low on air. It did seem relaxing in the water though perhaps that's all it is.

I've got a bit of an ear problem at the moment (swimmer's ear I think) so I'll try some more dry statics as I can't go in the water untill it's better.

Thanks agin,

John.

 

[LGHT]

Hi, Thanks for all your replies!

I like the idea of practicing to music, I'll give that ago if I can find something relaxing.

I still seem to be improving - I managed 3:30 in a pool last weekend (that's good for me). It's funny when I do dry statics I seem to get contractions earlier (eg. at 1:40) although when I did the 3:30 in water I didn't really get contractions as such - just a feeling of being low on air. It did seem relaxing in the water though perhaps that's all it is.

I've got a bit of an ear problem at the moment (swimmer's ear I think) so I'll try some more dry statics as I can't go in the water untill it's better.

Thanks agin,

John.

Wow 3:30 in the water is great! I've been practicing in a pool for about a month and the best static is only about 2:30. Since i'm practicing for spearing I swim the bottom of the pool and my best time has only been around 1 min so I guess I have a long way to go

 

[azapa]

1 min apnea whilst swimming and spearing is more than enough time to spear some great fish in up to 15M of water. Learn to hunt and those seconds count more

 

[scott]

John,

I was just reading this thread and remembering the days when I first started freediving and holding my breath in a pool (and hot tub). You may already know and practice this (I was not as smart), but I hope that you have a spotter when attempting PB's and longer breathholds in a pool.

Just thought I would add what is hopefully the obvious.

Thanks,

Scott

 

[John P]

Yeah I do always have a spotter/buddy when training in the water - but it's good to point it out as other beginners may read the thread.

Cheers,

John.

 

[cebaztian]

Hi guys.
I feel my breath hold ability is not very good and would like to improve it. John.

No training needed - just do this:
Breathhold extension auxilary balloon

Sebastian

 

[LGHT]

No training needed - just do this:
Breathhold extension auxilary balloon

Sebastian

"After the second set of contractions start – breath slowly in and out of the ballon for some 30 seconds or longer - the contractions will go away when you breath in the balloon"

If you breathing in and out and you have the ability to add more air into your lungs half way through the hold how does that help your breath hold? I would think that if you do this often you end up with a habbit of wanting more air after the first contractions something you can't do without a baloon.

 

[Barbie Guitars]

You should look into yoga. Yoga focuses on breathing while in the process of shifting and stretching the body, I think it's the best thing to do out of water in order to increase breath hold. If you need help finding information let me know.

 

[cebaztian]

"After the second set of contractions start – breath slowly in and out of the ballon for some 30 seconds or longer - the contractions will go away when you breath in the balloon"

If you breathing in and out and you have the ability to add more air into your lungs half way through the hold how does that help your breath hold?

Dont ask, just do it. It works! This is more complicated than you think. There is lots to be learned by doing this.

Sebastian

 

[Fondueset]

I've noticed the effect of breathing in and out behind a closed nose once contractions set in.
The other big help for me has been deep relaxation and slow, relaxed breaths with a 5 or 10 second hold at the top . A mild chill seems to help as well - as long as it is not to the point of shivering. It's possible the stress of getting run over by boats helps too (obviously not statics)
Yoga will help - but is important to practice 'internally'.

 

[fauad barbar]

Hi guys :inlove

last night i reach 3ً 45ً so its my first time i have this time in holding my breath so thanks for you all of the deeberblue diver. you gide me to improove my self.