Respect for free divers

[paul.hunter]

I have been scuba diving since 2000 and knocked up well over 500 dives. However I recently took a free diving course with Trevor Hutton to help with my underwater photography. I have to admit this was the hardest thing for me. To some others it just came naturally but I really had to work at it.

So I was just wondering how everybody elses experiences were like when they started.

Paul

 

[spaghetti]

I'm not sure if you're referring to some aspects in particular, but generally speaking the very beginning of it was simple as water: you feel the call of water just as if there were some invisibile hands pushing you in from the back. Natural as being born.
The hard part is improving, that's very technical and very mental at the same time.
Welcome among the dolphins, anyway

 

[azapa]

Hello Paul and welcome. You probably wanted to hear from many people that it was hard for them too, but you are in the wrong place for that. For 99% here, it was easy. Those for whom it was not easy probably gave up by now or at least don't visit these forums.

As my ol' mate Spago asked: can you specify what you found hard? Was it hard to hold your breath for a long time (and how long is "long" for you?). Was it hard to equalize without abundant air from a regulator? How deep were you trying to go?

Sometimes i dive with world champion freedivers, and they make my freediving look "hard" in comparison, but I still have a nice time. Maybe you are setting too higher goals for yourself at this stage?

 

[podge]

Hello, I started out fumbling around in the water with a friend and thought I was getting on great until I did a spearo/freedive course with Almostafish and did that open my eyes.
On the first day he took us out to a local spot and gave us the big speech about RELAXING while you dive, and I was born to the water.
There is still one particular dive that will stick with me for all time, it was only in around 3 meters of water and lasted for maybe 40 seconds but it was like I was part of the underwater surroundings and at that moment I’ve never known such peace.
Sounds corny I know but that’s what started me off and that’s what keeps me coming back for more.
So if you’re looking for advice my 2 pence worth is, don’t push yourself just let it happen and if 3 to 15 meters with bottom times of only 1 minute is your thing then that’s just fine just as long as you enjoy the water.

 

[Jonny250]

Hi Paul, welcome to DB.
i'm another spearo converting to longer breathhold dives (just starting out...), and i also enjoy taking my camera down with me. In fact i have found that using my camera has been a useful distraction from thinking about air or the lack of! tell us what aspects you're working most with and i'm sure some of the masters on here will sort point you in the right direction. I'll be interested to learn along the way too...
What camera system are you using?

Podge: "I started out fumbling around in the water with a friend"
Bathtimes have never been the same for you since

 

[podge]

Podge: "I started out fumbling around in the water with a friend"
Bathtimes have never been the same for you since

Hello Jonny, and yes how I miss that little yellow plastic duck!rofl

 

[paul.hunter]

Hey Guys, thanks for all the feedback. Before I started the course I could not even do 3m. It almost felt like I had this pressure on my chest and I had to breath NOW and this was within seconds. I then went from a static breath hold of 20 odd seconds to two mintues and was happy with the progress. We started doing skills in a shallow pool and the first session went well. However the next day I had no breath..I could not even manage 40 seconds which was very frustrating.

Our motto was if you take your time you have more time which I did find worked for me but only once I was relaxed. I suppose that was my problem.

What would you guys recommend to help someone relax more and not stress out. I know if I'm confident and have doen soemthing many time I am way more relaxed.

Hey Johnny250, I use a Nikon D200 in Sea&Sea housing

Thanks
Paul

 

[spaghetti]

What would you guys recommend to help someone relax more?

Some quality German porn? roflrofl :chatup
Try to read this if you haven't done already (it contains some useful notes about relaxation too, but no porn, unfortunately).
http://forums.deeperblue.com/beginner-freediving/64959-how-start-freediving.html
Then feel free to ask any questions, Paul, you're warmly welcome on this board and remember: we're all started as beginners so don't feel shy.

 

[trux]

What would you guys recommend to help someone relax more and not stress out.

Take a course of yoga, sofrology, auto-hypnosis, or other similar relaxation technique. Mastering relaxation methods can make immense difference in freediving.

 

[podge]

Some quality German porn? roflrofl :chatup



BBBRRRAAAAHHHHAHAH spaggie you’re the man!!!!roflroflrofl
Rep for brightening up my day is on the way as soon as I’m allowed.

Paul ref Trux and Spaghetti, there you go mate now you’ve heard it from a couple of the best, RELAX

 

[Judge]

What would you guys recommend to help someone relax more and not stress out. I know if I'm confident and have doen soemthing many time I am way more relaxed.

Hey Paul,

My thoughts on what you can do to relax... As you are doing this for photography, find a shallow spot and use your natural curiosity to urge you on. For the first few days dive where you are completely relaxed even if it is only 3 or 4 metres.... take photos... then start wondering.. What is it like around that next rock...; what will I find in that cave...; what is around that next corner; over that drop off.

It is my experience that curiosity in the marine environment will take your attention off how you feel and approach depth and down-time in an easy gradient.

Judge

 

[island_sands]

Hello, I started out fumbling around with a friend in the water

Well Podge that hardly surprises me rofl rofl

 

[blueface]

Hi Paul!
I am a begginer ( well compared to most here I am ) and what I have noticed with some of my friends who want to learn to freedive is that they try to muscle it. They become thrashing CO2 factories. They don't allow their dive reflex to work and they end up becoming tired and giving up. When I started out I felt it right away and I became addicted. I don't know if it's good advice (maybe one of the more experienced guys can answer) but I do a couple of exhale dives to get my DR to kick in hard at the beggining of the diving day. It's also called FRC diving and you can use the search function. Some guys here on DB have explained it to me and it really helped me to get warmed up quickly. Once it's on everything becomes so easy. Good luck and dive safe! I really like what Judge said about curiosity and getting your attention off how you feel. Your thoughts can cause anxiety and tension but the right thoughts will relax you and make you comfortable.

Skip perry

 

[Mr. X]

Take a course of yoga, sofrology, auto-hypnosis, or other similar relaxation technique. Mastering relaxation methods can make immense difference in freediving.

What a great answer.

I have done a few yoga classes over the years (and enjoyed it) and through rock & ice climbing you learn to suppress your anxieties & quieten your mind/heart somewhat (actually pretending that you are calm/unscared can be surprisingly effective). I've tried this while connected to a blood pressure monitor & you can see your pulse rate drop. That said, I don't go real deep or stay down real long. I usually dive alone, so it is not appropriate to push it. However I have noticed that my depths & dive times increase naturally and gradually through the season, presumably with increased fitness/practice. But also increases during the course of a dive. My breath hold is usually pretty rubbish when I first get it in (seeing a fish more that 4 foot long glide in front of me as I entered the water last season sent my heart rate shooting up - I could hear it pounding in my ears) but after 30 minutes, sometimes more, things usually get more relaxed and less effort. Having the right weight on my belt helps. I started off light and gradually added more each time I came to the conclusion that more would help more than it would hinder.

 

[Pixie74]

My best advice is to just go in and try not to think about a single thing. Just listen to the peaceful sound of the water. Sounds simple, but it works.
Don't think, just do.

 

[Erik]

It'll come, you sound patient and that's the key. As Pixie said: just "be".
A note on safety, as you're a photog. Like spearfishing, photography will turn your focus external. This can be helpful to ignore the struggle within, but when you start being proficient, can become your greatest enemy.
Pure freedivers who are seeking depths and times are tuned internally for the most part and listen to internal indicators as well as having a high awareness of their limitations, therefore rarely get hurt.
Spearos and photogs tend to focus on their prey, forgetting that they need to keep track of time and listen to internal signals.
Enjoy your new challenge.
8^)
Erik