Starting out...To FRC or not FRC

[Dominator]

Hi all,

I'm starting out inthe world of freediving, and have had no training or courses as of yet (when i get together emough money i will be doing, i hope, the SSI course here in couzmel). Is SSI a good course?

Anyway, i digress. As i have had very little experience in all kinds of freediving, and my performances represent this (around 230 dry static inhaling, and 2 minute frc), and after reading the huge amount of articles of DB about FRC diving, i have convinced myself that it is the way to go. I have emailed a few schools from around Quintana Roo, one being the apnea total school, and they suggested i not try FRC until i am at an advanced level, as its an advanced technique. But it seems like a waste of time to get to that level inhaling and then starting over as it were to exhale.

Im fairly sure FRC is the way to go after reading all i can, but i think what im looking for is either confirmation that it would be a good idea or not...

Also, I will returning to the UK in august, so dont want to buy a weight belt and leave it here due to baggage restrictions, after plus point for FRC.

Thanks for any advice guys, i have searched this topic a lot, and feel confident, but need some confirmation.

Regards,
Dom

 

[cdavis]

I'm a fan of FRC diving and believe that a beginner could start that way, say about 1/2 lung or slightly more. That said, its not for everybody. It takes getting used to and frequent diving, especially if you want to do any depth with it. It is probably easier to start full lung and switch later.

If you have not seen the below thread, read it all.

http://forums.deeperblue.com/general-freediving/78598-exhale-diving-average-diver.html

Doing depth, squeeze is a persistent issue, be careful. If you want to start diving with that technique, start slow, work into it, feel your body and find a good buddy. Don't push it, frc diving can have some funny effects. Do not try going deep into exhale until you know how your body reacts. There have been more than a few unexpected B0s from divers trying full exhale statics.

Connor

 

[Andrew the fish]

Dominator, I honestly don't understand why distance FRC from normal people's diving at all. You can practice both, I do. I still think a little extra air in the lungs gives me a bit more bottom time, and if you think about it, deep enough you are in FRC stuation anyway.

On the other note, when experienced people tell you not to do something you should probably hear it. Contractions with less-than-full lungs felt differently or not felt at all. Margin to blackout is narrower. Its like flying closer to terrain, one day it will get to you if you do it long enough.

 

[esom]

On the other note, when experienced people tell you not to do something you should probably hear it.

experienced people, whatever that is. still, fair enough.

as far as i understood dom wasn´t told to not... , but he was emailed not to... .
i think this is a fundamental difference. plus: this wasn´t private correspondance, but official, as mediation was done via the apnea total school. which again alters "telling" a lot too.

these things are highly important to a forum community i think. ... not formost because of the correspondance with outsiders of course

 

[Siku]

Thanks for raising this issue Dominator. I too am a beginner and I have also wondered if I should make an early POLICY DECISION and then get on with relevant training - FRC or Full Lung? It's something I've searched and asked about too and there seems to be little consensus.

In practice I do both, mainly because I can't always train in the pool with weights so I use my lungs to control bouyancy. I've swum plenty of DYN on full, frc, empty and packed. I'm enjoying getting to know the feelings of each and assuming that all experience will help my body learn.

My question:
Is training this way unproductive? Does traning one way undermine the training another way?

Any thoughts on this very greatly appreciated.

 

[cdavis]

If you train or dive mostly frc, your body adapts to that style. Efattah has commented several times relative to declining full lung performance after intense frc training and improving frc results. For me, not being near as intense as Eric, getting reasonably good at frc diving improved the little full lung diving I still do.
If you go back and forth, I think you will not see the full benefit of frc, although it is always beneficial to explore different techniques. I found my biggest advantage from frc diving, very long bottom times, did not fully develop until after many months of exclusively frc practice.
Connor

 

[Simos]

Hi all,

I'm starting out inthe world of freediving, and have had no training or courses as of yet (when i get together emough money i will be doing, i hope, the SSI course here in couzmel). Is SSI a good course?

Anyway, i digress. As i have had very little experience in all kinds of freediving, and my performances represent this (around 230 dry static inhaling, and 2 minute frc), and after reading the huge amount of articles of DB about FRC diving, i have convinced myself that it is the way to go. I have emailed a few schools from around Quintana Roo, one being the apnea total school, and they suggested i not try FRC until i am at an advanced level, as its an advanced technique. But it seems like a waste of time to get to that level inhaling and then starting over as it were to exhale.

Im fairly sure FRC is the way to go after reading all i can, but i think what im looking for is either confirmation that it would be a good idea or not...

Also, I will returning to the UK in august, so dont want to buy a weight belt and leave it here due to baggage restrictions, after plus point for FRC.

Thanks for any advice guys, i have searched this topic a lot, and feel confident, but need some confirmation.

Regards,
Dom

My 2p for what it's worth is that you'd be trying to run before you can walk.

There are advantages and disadvantages to FRC, as well as dangers/risks but I think before worrying about it, I'd focus on the basics with a normal 80% comfortable inhale (no packing either) and not over-complicate things by throwing FRC into the mix.

I can think of many reasons not to start with FRC - for sure you'll find equalisation harder which could really put you off and even cause some ear damage and your lungs will be under more stress too. If you take things slowly you'll gradually build up to more pressure etc.

Take things slowly, keep it simple, do a course if you can and see what works for you as you get more experience. I wouldn't decide on FRC or not just by reading others' experiences in forums (although useful) - remember not everyone is the same and lots of people on DB have crazy levels of experience... (not me sadly lol)

 

[cdavis]

and some of us are just crazy

 

[Mullins]

Most training and training material is based on inhale diving. So I'd start out with inhale diving to take advantage of that. There's no reason not to introduce FRC diving early in the piece though. The two styles are really very similar and don't conflict; it's not like you have to 're-learn' how to dive if you switch over.

 

[EARL1220i]

enjoy the dive and dive safely

 

[Simos]

and some of us are just crazy

Hahaha that too Connor!

Just to add a point - if you are starting now, one decision I would take early on (instead of full lung vs FRC) would be equalisation method. I would skip valsava altogether and learn frenzel (and even start training for handsfree as it takes some time to get and help strengthen the e-tube muscles anyway).

Unlike full lung or FRC, I see valsava as a 'bad habit' that you don't need to learn and you are better off investing your time learning another EQ method even if it takes longer. Apart from being helpful later on when you start going deeper, it should be safer for your ears too.

 

[Dominator]

thanks for the replys everyone!

I have asked lots of people, and got a different response each time! i emailed the man himself, who replied that it is fine for beginner IF YOU TAKE IT SLOW, and build up slowly to depth, as the squeeze and equalisatin is an issue. So i think im gonna stick with it, as here in Cozumel, there is lots of shallow reefs and so i will practice in there, the shallow reefs seem to lend themselves to FRC aswell, as its easier to stay down, and kind of crawl along the bottom slowly.

Regarding Equalisation, i think i must have been lucky, as researching i found out i have always done a frenzel (just need to work on mouthfill, but it is coming naturally) and valsalva feels awkward. Opening the eustachian tubes dry an vertical is alao easy for me, but wet is another story...so more practice again is needed. It would be amazing to use FRC and handsfree EQ...the 2 seem to go hand in hand extremley well.

Thanks for the advice, this is a really helpful forum!

Regards,
Dom