Pls shed some light on me on this one.

[rvt86]

Hello everyone! I'm new to this freediving adventure and would like to progress at it during my 8 months stay here at Sinai, Egypt. I also plan on taking some courses around the area because I know how valuable it is to have an actual person who is a subject matter expert. For the mean time, I have been practicing a little bit of technique with finning, surface dive, equalizing, and just overall safety. I can honestly say that my current depth that I can comfortably dive is about 10m.
What I don't sometimes understand is that, I can't seem to get a full breath of air whenever I'm on the water. I practice proper breathing on the surface whenever I can and I can feel my chest and stomach full of air to where I have to fight it from coming out. But whenever I'm doing the same thing on the water with snorkle or without snorkle, it's just not the same. I don't get the same feeling of fullness of air in my body that makes me feel really good and comfortable.
As a result, I can only do static apnea for about 1:30 and dynamic for only 1:00. But my surface breath hold, lying down on my bed is 4:00 consistently with only about 2:00 of recovery breath for about 5x. I can even hold my breath for 2:00 comfortably without any preparation. What gives?!?
I'd like to think I'm comfortable in the water, unless subconsciously I'm not. Can anyone maybe shed some light on this one. I'm still trying to figure out my work schedule to fit a day or two of beginner courses. I'm sure they'll be able to help out. If anyone out there can chime in for the mean time, thanks in advance.

 

[efattah]

There are several reasons.

1. In the water you cannot inhale as much as on land. The water pressure prevents you from filling your lungs. There are ways around that though.

2. Breath-holding length is dependent on a period of total motionlessness for at least 20-30 minutes. In bed you have been pretty much motionless for a long time. In the water, you had to put your gear on, swim out, adjust stuff, tread water, etc. If you try laying on the surface motionless for half an hour breathing through your snorkel, you'll find a different result.

3. Vasoconstriction from the cold water reduces your CO2 storage capacity, making the urge to breathe come sooner, even if you are not lower on oxygen than you would be in bed.

 

[rvt86]

efattah, you sir are awesome, thanks a lot for that information. I feel so much better now. I can't wait to take some courses.

 

[Spearo_the_Hero]

Yes, Efattah is Awesome, he's one of the true freediving pioneers in terms of technical, physiological, anatomical and fundamental aspects of freediving as you will soon discover.

I just came back from Sinai Egypt for a month. Definitely check out Freedive Dahab with Lotta and Linda opposite the new mosque on El Fanar st.

You have 8 months there...if you devote it to freediving you'll progress faster than you'll imagine--especially being able to dive with good freedivers makes all the difference. After you can comfortably do 40M, which should be in a month or two work you way to train at the blue hole along with the top divers.

I suggest start learning the MouthFill Frenzel-Fattah equalization technique, as per eFattah's book, early because when I was there just over a month ago it took me 3 whole weeks to finally be able to do that equalization because I always put learning it off for another time...enjoy!

 

[Simos]

Hmmm I would take things a bit slower than what Spearo_the_Hero recommends (both in terms of depth progression and also regarding techniques like the mouthfil) but do find Linda and Lotta - they'll be able to advise further.

40m in a month or two is a big ask. I wouldn't put that pressure upon yourself. Just learn and enjoy your dives, be relaxed and comfortable and depth will come when you are ready.

 

[Fondueset]

I'm with Simos. And yes; Eric is one of the pioneers and a true inspiration.

 

[rvt86]

Spearo- I'm actually at Sharm El Sheikh to be exact so I'm about an hour away from Dahab. The only FD clinic near my area is the Only One Apnea Center. Although I might visit Dahab just to check the place out. I also see the you have Philippines in your location. That's another reason, I want to train FD so that when I go on vacation back home(philippines) I can enjoy the under water rather that just staying on the surface.

Simos, Fondueset- I agree with you guys. I think 40m depth plus a mouth-full technique within a month is asking a bit much, considering I still have to work and everything. I'm still trying to do the Frenzel. For some reason, I can't do it vertically underwater. I know I just need to practice some more. That's the only thing that's preventing me from going down just a bit deeper.

 

[Fondueset]

I think that is where Umberto holds his Apnea Academy Instructors course (english version). It's interesting because I was thinking about Apnea Academy - and Umberto's approach to freediving. His courses are not so focused on achievement as on enjoyment and ease in the water. I think his beginners course goal is like 8 meters. While some divers are more achievement oriented than others - for most of us the essence of diving is found in our hearts. Achievements come and go - but I think for most it is not the central motivation.

I am comfortable diving fairly deep - but most of my diving is not.
All of my personal bests were just where I felt comfortable stopping, for one reason or another.
Just last weekend I was pulling myself along a shallow breakwall - swimming on my side with my monofin - and enjoying all the small fish there in the shallow, full-spectrum light.

The foremost trick is to just get in the water.
The first class I ever took was Will Trubridge's no fins course. At that point I had never been beyond 60 feet. The first day of the class I went to almost 90 with no fins! (of course the class was full of Italian divers who were making 50 meters!!) A good class is a tremendous help - just having super competent safety divers is wonderful.

Here is a link to the AA course descriptions
http://www.apnea-academy.com/content_eng/didattica_eng.php

 

[Spearo_the_Hero]

@rvt86... Oops did i say 40m i meant to say 20M, which if you take your basic 1st level course with SSI you should be able to add another 10m to your current 10m. Then if you do the next level course you may be able to add another 10m. It really depends how much time you have to be in the water and how much you let go of yourself and fears. If you are there 8 months at one of the best freediving locations in the world and dive with people then you be having some good water time!

 

[vali]

this thread recall me the last dahab days...miss them
and to bust up the thread with a picture....
tadaaaa!!!!
lotta standing more than comfortable upon the roumanian freediving team

RVT86.....8 months in dahab?....this is bliss....

 

[Simos]

I heard good things about Only One so def worth going there if you are in sharm. It's all about getting good instruction and spending time in the water - equalisation etc will fall into place I am sure. My equalisation is a bit non-standard so can't help you much with proper frenzel (although there is lots of info out there and on here) but the one thing I would recommend is 'e-tube aerobics' - takes a while but really pays off...

If you are really interested in equalisation, I would really recommend Federico Mana's book on equalisation - and if you go to Only One, you might even get to meet him!

 

[rvt86]

I truly appreciate all the support and encouraging words. The Only One Apnea clinic is practically less than 2 miles from where I am and I can actually see their clinic and both of their dive platforms from the beach where I swim. Only a matter of finding a time to visit down there and actually make this happen. I've been to Dahab just one time and It looks amazing. I can't wait to visit again.