Low CO2 Tolerance and Hyperventilation

[appyguy]

Hi everyone,
I understand the usual approah and advice for people not to hyperventilate prior to diving. My question is, I seem to have a low CO2 tolerance. When doing statics I get very strong abdominal contractions as early as 1:45. If I hyperventilate aggressively (30 long strong purges) this can hold the contractions off until 2:45 to 3:00 minutes.

If my tolerence to CO2 is low, would a number of purges pose that much of a risk in the open water. I have, in controlled situation (safety diver and line) played with 12 purges in the ocean in dive to 35 metres. I have always come up clear and with plenty of gas left in the tank. It just has the effect of easing the strength and onset of the contraction.

So given I appear to have a lower CO2 tolerance then most freedivers, am I taking an undue risk?

If my CO2 tolerance is this low

 

[SanderP]

I think a better solution would be training your CO2 tolerance with tables or apnea walk for example.

 

[immerlustig]

hi,

apart from the risk you are also cutting your true apnea ability. your dive response will be a lot weaker meaning your whole body is consuming o2 rather than preserving it for the brain only. also, you'll eventually bo with high levels of o2 in the blood because of the effect that ph level has on o2 affinity to haemoglobin (bohr effect). and that's surely not what you want. this has actually been proven already and you can find more on that in the forum.

as sanderp says, you're way better off learning to deal with early contractions and being able to accept them as something very helpful. that's tricky, i know, and will take more time but you'll be on the right track then and the benefits in the long run are a lot greater.

cheers,

roland

 

[cdavis]

Good answers. I went through the same calculation, for the same reason. Its really a question of comfort over real performance. Hyperventilating lowers C02, making you feel better longer, but, as Roland indicated, it also definately cuts your body's ability to process 02 and reduces availability of 02 to the brain. Where that will get you in trouble is a function of your physiology and activity, but why take the risk. Apnea walks, C02 tables, etc are (at least for me) pretty obnoxious, but better than the alternative.

One, less obnoxious technique that helps indirectly is reducing your residual volume. Practicing diaphram stretches and rib cage stretchs can make quite a difference and are easy and painless.

Connor

 

[SEDATE]

Good answers. I went through the same calculation, for the same reason. Its really a question of comfort over real performance. Hyperventilating lowers C02, making you feel better longer, but, as Roland indicated, it also definately cuts your body's ability to process 02 and reduces availability of 02 to the brain. Where that will get you in trouble is a function of your physiology and activity, but why take the risk. Apnea walks, C02 tables, etc are (at least for me) pretty obnoxious, but better than the alternative.

One, less obnoxious technique that helps indirectly is reducing your residual volume. Practicing diaphram stretches and rib cage stretchs can make quite a difference and are easy and painless.

Connor

i totally agree with you.,
=Practicing diaphram stretches and rib cage stretchs can make quite a difference and are easy and painless. =

what exactly you doing as exercise to expand your rib cage?
:crutch

 

[naiad]

CO2 tables are hard work, but they do make a big difference. That's why I do make an effort to do them.

That reminds me... A few days ago I was doing static in the pool, and my CO2 tolerance wasn't very good, but I was determined to do a good time. Afterwards my buddy told me how funny it looked - I was gripping the edge of the pool hard with both hands, bracing myself for each huge contraction, trying to will myself to stay there. Apparently I looked so determined. rofl

I did do a time I was happy with, and finished perfectly clean. I must work on CO2 tolerance, I prefer my statics to be easier than that!

Lucia

 

[appyguy]

Thanks for the replies, I have just recently started doing C02 tables and will put more effort into diaphramic and rib cage stetches.
I guess I was just trying to find an easy way around the contractions.

Any suggestions as to a physical relaxation technique to relax through the contractions more easily.

Steve

 

[DiverTodd]

Steve,

I've found that, as I know I'm nearing my first contraction, if I very lightly extend my abdomen/push my diaphagm downward (view it kind of as pushing the air lower into your lungs), it can help hold off the contraction. Eventually, though, it does come, and right after it hits, I immediately go back to relaxing the chest and lightly pushing the diaphragm down again. This seems to make the first few, at least, a bit easier to take. I know on Weds. I did a CO2 table with 2 min holds, and I came through one of them TOTALLY clean, with NO contraction at all! I was very happy, as it showed me that I AM making progress! We, uh, won't discuss Friday's rather disappointing O2 table. I was trying for 3:45, and only managed 3:08. I just wasn't in the right mindset (I had just found out that my PFI Team freediving wetsuit is stuck in Customs in CANADA, and I need it by Sept. 14! ) Oh well, on the plus side, at least I still did a hold for over 3 mins. Always stay positive, that's the key....

Todd

 

[cdavis]

Hi Sedate,

Ribcage stretches are not my strong suite. The technique I was taught was to stand straight up, take a full breath (some people pack), hold the arms straight over the head, hands touching, and bend over to right and left. You can feel the stretch, but I don't think it did nearlly as much for me as diaphram work. I also found that taking a full breath then arching the back and shoulders like you were pushing your lungs into your shoulder blades seems to work some. Also, full breath, pack a little and push your lower rib cage out and up as far as possible. Both of these last two seem to help some but not a lot. I suspect that this is something that requires a long time to be effective and I haven't been extremely consistant. Know any other exercises?

Where are you diving?

Connor

 

[SEDATE]

i do smiliar exercise and find out best advantage making ribcages streching.., i do 3/4 inhale and hold 20 sec and doing streching while holding my breath like you mention above and folowing relax 20 sec and next cycle starting 3/4 inhale 20sec hold.... ., totally 10 times when i wake up i do...
3 days in week.... oneday rest(recovery muscles) oneday exercise ...that's all