Question about CO2 tables with short hold time

[M_Mack]

I have a very low personal best right now (57s) so I tried reducing the ventilation periods on the static CO2 tables to reflect that, but I noticed I'm still not struggling to complete them. At the end of the table my head felt a bit heavy and fuzzy, but finishing the last 25s breathhold was not at all challenging. I get the impression the last breathhold of the table should be quite difficult to complete, so would I want to increase the hold time, or decrease the ventilation time? This is what I'm currently using:
0:25 hold, 1:45 rest
0:25 hold, 1:30 rest
0:25 hold, 1:15 rest
0:25 hold, 1:00 rest
0:25 hold, 0:45 rest
0:25 hold, 0:30 rest
0:25 hold, 0:15 rest
0:25 hold, 0:15 rest
0:25 hold

 

[Apneaddict]

You first need to establish a true approximation of your max breath hold.

I doubt that :57 sec is it. Do some o2 tables and max breath holds first, to determine your present max performance.

I'm not sure that at :25 sec you're generating much CO2 with each hold and you're likely clearing it easily with your ventilation phases.

 

[Simos]

You first need to establish a true approximation of your max breath hold.

I doubt that :57 sec is it. Do some o2 tables and max breath holds first, to determine your present max performance.

I'm not sure that at :25 sec you're generating much CO2 with each hold and you're likely clearing it easily with your ventilation phases.

Agree but why O2 tables?

Try lying on your back in a quiet room and relax first, closing your eyes. Do a couple of holds without timing for as long you can and keep a couple of minutes rest in between, then try for your 'max' hold and time it. Focus on being relaxed and don't overfill our lungs with air, around 80% full. Keep your eyes closed...

See if that can take you above your current time.

 

[Apneaddict]

That's what I recommended in another thread to Megan - but I see that she's ventured into tables already. :/

Max holds, relaxation and emptying the mind.

 

[Simos]

Yes just don't think O2 tables will do too much at first... Having said this any kind of breath hold seems to help at first

 

[Bill]

To answer your question, increase the hold time. 57 is no where near your physical max. Experiment as much as you like if you're having fun. I often try a max after the CO2 tales and a seven minute rest.

 

[M_Mack]

Try lying on your back in a quiet room and relax first, closing your eyes. Do a couple of holds without timing for as long you can and keep a couple of minutes rest in between, then try for your 'max' hold and time it. Focus on being relaxed and don't overfill our lungs with air, around 80% full. Keep your eyes closed...

See if that can take you above your current time.

What a great suggestion, only timing the last breathhold! I was having issues with the timing because although I wasn't looking at the clock, but just thinking about how I'm timing myself made it harder to relax.

That's what I recommended in another thread to Megan - but I see that she's ventured into tables already. :/

I have no problems not doing tables, I just want to do whatever is best at this point! I was searching through the forums and saw a few threads suggesting that for beginners, CO2 tables are more important than O2 tables, which is why I started out with that. But if getting a longer breathhold is more important first, I'm certainly up for working on it! I really just don't know much at this point so all the info on these forums started getting a little overwhelming. I apologize if I seemed like I was disregarding your advice, Apneaddict. It's great advice, and I really appreciate it! I'm looking forward to training my mind.

You're supposed to do these activities sitting up, right? I know I'm nowhere near the amount of breathholding that can induce passing out, but I remember reading it's best not to be laying down on your back so your tongue can't go back and block your airway if you pass out. Is that correct, or just urban legend?

 

[Apneaddict]

I personally do them lying down. It's a risk I've chosen to take I suppose. I can relax everything a lot better when lying flat.

You can also download apps (or ambient / electronic music) with relaxing music / tones / rhythms to block out other thoughts to relax and just melt into the breath hold. Pretty soon, minutes will occasionally fly by while in apnea. Cool feeling.

 

[Simos]

Probably sitting up would be safer in this respect but make sure you can't fall off the chair if you were do black out. It's a bit more relaxing lying down but another thing you can do which might actually work better for you at this stage is sit on the sofa in front of the tv and let the TV distract you.