Hi Sebastian,
Nice to hear that Seb's back in Sweden again. I'm glad that his methods are gaining more recognition.
I met Seb last summer in Vancouver and had a great talk with him with Eric and Tyler. For various reasons, I decided to start applying some of his methods for my own diving, primarily as a strategy to avoid lung squeeze. I haven't done any line dives on FRC below 35m (that was done in 2003 when he was talking to us about his concepts and training), but someday perhaps I will when I have some time to increase the depth gradually. Nor have a tried the static+dynamic approach, but I'm curious about it.
I've been diving for fun both with no suit and with a suit. Sinking directly from the surface is impractical for being able to relax completely on the surface, so I weigh myself to be able to get down with one gentle monofin stroke and then sink the rest of the way. Of course, it is easiest without the suit, because of the nice 10C thermocline at 12 metres and the water exposure overall.
Diving recreationally in the old days, with full packing, I believe that most of my dives were in the 1'20" to 1'50" range, with the occasional 2'00" dive and the rare longer hangs.
At first, diving FRC without a line was nerve-wracking since I had no sense of my limits. It was a new sensation and at first I couldn't go beyond 1'15", at which time I had an immediate urge to breathe. While equalizing was never a problem, I would feel crushed at 25m.
Recently, I realized that I was diving as if I was still packing and that I really had to relax more and let the dive response kick in fully before moving.
Now I'm diving recreationally FRC to 20-30m and my dives are in the 1'30 - 1'50 range (with a suit). These dives are all without a direct spotter (buddy is on the surface). I don't feel crushed at depth anymore either.
The difference in diving style and performance is amazing
Old style (packing):
-stressful descent
-feeling of being too heavy on ascent from deeper dives
-discomfort in chest after diving
-occasional very mild lung squeeze symptoms
-high C02 at the end of the dive (sometimes I'd get contractions on the longer ones)
-limited functional bottom time
-narcosis
-erratic movements during dive (buoyancy change)
New style (FRC):
-completely relaxed descent
-reduced buoyancy change (easy ascent)
-no discomfort in chest after diving
-no symptoms of squeeze
-little breathing reflex at the end of the dive (mild urge)
-increased bottom time
-no narcosis
-much calmer diving style, mind more relaxed overall
I haven’t pushed my FRC dives into the contraction zone, since I'm essentially diving without a direct spotter. I prefer to increase the dive times gradually and only on "good" days. I don't mind waiting a few months before seeing an incease in diving ability.
I don't do any one rep maximum dives anymore, just serial dives to look at things and take photo graphs. FRC diving is awesome for underwater photography, since you can pretty much prep the camera and keep it ready as you sink, no need "swim" and then collect yourself at the bottom.
I don't really try to initiate "fear and anxiety" as Seb advocates, since I'm looking for a relaxing and fun experience over a few hours of diving. But Eric's been experimenting with a more stressful form of facial immersion that seems to help his recreational dives.
Recently, at the Canadian Nationals, I volunteered as a safety freediver and did all my spotting dives sinking from the surface. It was great. I arrived at depth to meet the competitors feeling completely clear and ready to assist, no energy wasted with packing or kicking.
Anyway, it would be interesting to hear of anyone else using this approach in their recreational or competitive diving. I know that "Evita" on DB did her national records in dynamic with a static first. Cool!
Looking forward to your report about the clinic, Sebastian.
Best,
Pete
