My breathe-up / inhale routine

[Apneaddict]

I know freediving is personal and everyone is different... But I do something that I haven't seen or read about before.

I take a large inhale, close my mouth, and take another additional inhale... Then once more! Each has a slight pause in-between, to allow the diaphragm to relax with the new air in the lungs.

I then feel fully full and another "inhale" isn't possible and begin to pack (5-10 packs)

It's 3 distinct diaphragm flexings that all add air to my lungs, before packing.

Does anyone else do this?

I suppose I could just do one inhale and a ton of packing, but it seems quicker and more consistent to do the 3 inhales.

Anyone else doing or have seen this?
Any opinions?

 

[Antoine]

I personnaly don't pack. five to ten packs seems safe but inhaling one and packing heaps I would not recommend.
You probably already know but packing can lead to serious issues. As the lungs expand during packing, the heart and surrounding arteries get crushed. Venous blood flowand thereby cerebral arterial blood flow is inhibited. This reduces blood flow to the brain which quite commonly can lead to blackout.
An aggressive breathup before packing will make the likelihood of this happening greater as hypocapnia causes further restrictions in blood-flow.

So anyway, in my view, inhaling once they agressively packing as you suggest seems dangerous.

 

[Apneaddict]

...as opposed to inhaling 3x and "mildly"packing?

 

[Antoine]

five to ten packs seems relatively safe. A "professional" freediver can pack three extra litres of air with many dozens of packs. However, this is very dangerous, as explained above.
Packing does have its obvoius advantages therefore, "mildly" packing, after being advised by an experienced freediver on the correct and safe technique, appears to be a good compromise.

 

[TomW]

As Antoine said packing isn't the best of ideas especially without proper technique. I don't pack but rather use deep-breathing prior to dry static apnea. Full hyperventillation doesn't work for me and besides it leads to an even greater chance of blackouts. For actual diving it is recommended not to use excessive breathing techniques for obvious reasons. I myself would only take a few deep breaths.

 

[cdavis]

When I was diving full lung, I did that. Works, but it is also pretty energy intensive. You get a little more air at the cost of muscular effort and reduced relaxation. Might not be worth the effort.

Connor