I'm not even a Spearo. The idea of killing for sport is a real turn-off to me. Oh yeah. I admit it. I'm NOT a vegetarian.
I just found out that SWBO can indeed happen in a swimming pool. I've been Freediving since age 8--became serious in my teens.
I knew both Static and Dynamic could produce BOs. I've friends BO doing Depth in the ocean. Thank the Good Lord somebody always rescued them.
I had one BO back in 1975 practicing Static dry. It was a horrible experience. I promised myself NEVER AGAIN!
Until a few days ago, I never knew SWBO was a possibility in a 12-foot pool. I thought of SWBO as a deep water phenomenon. At least 100 feet. Strictly the province of ocean divers.
DUH!!! Deep Sea Training. Ahem.
Not to mention Paul Burgess just told me it's a real possibility at 30 feet!
I figured from now on I'd dive only on full lungs to the bottom of that 12 feet. Then my good buddy Paul suggested "Never do apnea in water alone."
NOW THAT'S A FRIEND--
I've had "friends" who didn't want me to do Freediving because I enjoyed it, and I was more talented than they were. NOW I have friends who get scared when I dive--because they're concerned about my SAFETY.
What's a girl to DO when she's had 3 dive buddies in 3 years?
NUMBER ONE: an 11-year-old student who followed me around for 2 months, begging for lessons "to be a good diver, like you." I showed her simple skills, with the lifeguard in attendance. UNTIL HE COULDN'T STAND IT AND MADE AN EXCUSE TO JOIN THE DIVE SESSION!!! I never held my breath in front of that 11-year-old for more than 1:15. I never mentioned having gone past 4 minutes--EVER!
NUMBER TWO: a 15-year-old student wanting to improve his skills in the few days before the school year started. We had all of 3 dive sessions.
Both improved considerably during those times we dove. I honestly think I learned more. NEVER AGAIN DID I WANT TO SET A BAD EXAMPLE BY PUSHING THE ENVELOPE.
Contractions mean: Surface! Lactic burn means: Surface! SAMBA means: Take a break, and re-evaluate the exercise that led to the SAMBA.
Until I see my NUMBER THREE dive buddy again (a college student I just met who dives at a similar level to mine, and also SCUBA-s) there will be no more Deep Sea Training.
Even if ALL my doctors approve. And they DO!!! I have their ORDERS to Freedive. (Including Deep Sea)
NO 7s or 7+s in the POOL!!! My docs have limited me to 6--WET.
I'm told, "Stay under 10--DRY."
I've decided to limit myself to 150 feet in Dynamic. I'm a very slow swimmer, preferring a relaxed style, and I promised the YMCA staff--so they won't worry.
And of course--NO DEEP SEA TRAINING---------alone. That'll be the hard part. I ADORE DEEP SEA TRAINING.
Still, after reading stories like this one, and Ziad's recent SWBO death, I have NO desire to bring that kind of sorrow to ANYONE.
I'm a CHRISTIAN. It would be wonderful for ME... to find myself suddenly with my LORD... diving in the Crystal Sea, the River of Life--Eternally. Glorious.... For me.
For those I'd leave behind...It would be nothing but CRUEL and SELFISH to carelessly drown myself just for a new PB in the pool. Because I didn't have a spotter or a buddy.
Also a sucky Witness.
WaterRat, who's maxed in the pool already, and will find new creative (SAFE!) ways to Freedive when alone--
xsaul@kdsi.net