Passive Exhale Statics

[Simos]

I enjoy a passive exhale static every now and then, just lying at the bottom of the pool all relaxed.

I don't do this very often and hence I never push it but just wondering whether it's a lot easier to have a blackout during such a static, without much warning... (I always have a buddy but still..) - if you do this often, do you get contractions and so on during such a static?

Also - does anyone know if it's dangerous to let air out in the middle of a static or dynamic? Sometimes I might realise after starting that I've taken too much air in and it stops me from being as relaxed as I would like to be but I'm never too sure if letting some air out during the hold could be dangerous (obviously it might be a scare for the buddy...)

 

[efattah]

Much easier to black out during exhale or passive statics!

 

[Simos]

Thanks Eric, makes sense, was wondering whether it can happen with no signs whatsoever (guessing the answer is yes). I take it that exhale statics are mainly practice for low O2 tolerance?

Am I wasting my time with exhale statics - I also use them as prep for a proper static but I never do anything longer than 1:30 (I understand there's not such thing as a safe time limit) as I am worried about blacking out
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[aris ioannidis]

Hi Simo,

I do not use exhale statics except as a drill to simulate a depth dive: I go upside down in the pool and work my mouthfill and equalizations. I gradually exhale more and keep working on the moutfill and equalizations. Soon I get contractions but cannot push it much further - i feel that it is not safe with empty lungs.

I think u may exhale slightly in a static or dynamic with safety but it may affect your relaxation and control of the dive. Also note that in a comp it could alert the judge and the safety and they may pull you out.

 

[Simos]

Hi Ari

Thanks for that - those are my thoughts too. If it's a 3m deep pool or deeper, I am also a bit worried that contractions while having empty lungs might even cause some lung injury...

I'll exercise caution - the main advantage I felt from exhale statics is when preparing for a static attempt. I find that with a couple of short passive exhale holds my body goes into o2 conservation mode quicker, without needing longer proper holds for warmup. This means shorter prep and the shorter holds are not mentally tiring at all..

There are of course so many approaches to static, from the 0 warmup holds to gradually building up with longer and longer proper holds (which I think is what Herbert used to do and his prep would take a long time)
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[shrek]

also you can do FRC dives to 10m this is what we use to warm up for depth,same thing it really triggers the dive reflex

 

[buddha]

what is FRC?

 

[Simos]

Stands for Functional Residual Capacity - it's basically diving with lungs not full, on 'passive exhale' (in case you know what that is). Basically if you take a normal breath in and exhale normally (without forcing any more air out than a normal exhale) then you are on FRC...

Obviously FRC diving is more dangerous so be really careful if you try it: not only you can black out easier without much warning, it's also much easier to damage your lungs (barotrauma) and can happen at shallow depths if you haven't trained. Needless to say you'll need a buddy if you want to try it and you should start with really shallow depths and build from there slowly... Again an obvious point but you'll need less weight if diving FRC...

Obviously, apart from the dangers there are many advantages to FRC diving and there have been dives to remarkable depths using FRC (Eric is the FRC guru).

If you want proper advice on FRC diving there are some excellent threads on here (on called 'FRC diving for beginners' I think) - I wouldn't rely on what I've written above as I know little about FRC and haven't got much practical experience other than really shallow dives to 5m...
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[cdavis]

Hi Simos,

Statics on passive exhale depend a lot on how much exhale is passive. My passive is nearly empty, some divers its closer to 40 percent. If you are on the high end of that, I don't think there is much extra BO danger. The more you exhale, the faster your body goes into dive mode. I dive at about 60 percent of full and do a lot of practice empty. So far,even with empty swim around practice dives slightly over two minutes , I haven't seen any B0 issues. My c02 tolerance is poor, which might explain it.

Connor

 

[buddha]

Thanks Simos, I only knew the spanish name for that and that was my misunderstunding.