Static Methods
Just some quick points to consider... (mainly in response to many of the takes on static techniques previously in this thread)
[HYPERVENTILATION]
The idea that, hyperventilating to achieve contractions as late as possible will achieve the best results at the end of the day, is not a sound conclusion. It appears that many forget or are not experienced enough to understand that generally hyperventillation causes contractions later but at a much increased intensity. There are explanations for this which I will not get into here.
But try this; take one person who can do a 7 minute breathold and get them to hyperventilate for a minute at the end of their normal breath-up routine. Sit back and watch the results. The average experience, is one of later contractions but the person can not deal with these contractions for long. Have we considered that contractions late or early still may get you to the same end? As in you can only do a 7 minute at that time no matter which way you try it. This has been experienced by numerous people. There are explanations for this as well.
[THE BODY]
The body is still amazingly far from being scientifically understood. Meanwhile here we are talking all confidently about breath-holds with only a slight understanding of the actual resolution the body takes towards such conditions; Assumptions are being made that an increase in efficiency towards ONE factor will increase the efficiency of the OVERALL operation during a breath-hold. Maybe as well there is the assumption that there are only a couple factors involved with a breath-hold. There are numerous factors at play, subtly affecting the overall breath-hold and attempting to settle on a delicate balance. However, these are invisible to our eyes and understandings. But guaranteed they (ex. blood acidity) exist, are important factors, and most importantly they all interact and affect each another.
[THE EXAMPLE]
Ever drive a car? Leave the car in idle and see how efficient it is to drive around variable terrain. Hmm not very efficient. Ok, step on the gas when need be. Wow, way more efficient. Well the heck that must mean it is most efficient to step on the gas as much as possible! Ummmmm now we see a sudden drop in efficiency (if you don't understand why, look into it).
[OTHERS' CONCLUSIONS]
Therefore, lacking to add into the equation the host of unknowns and dependencies operating during a breath-hold, many of the previously mentioned simplified conclusions are fundamentally flawed, namely the following were noticed:
- contractions use muscles; muscles use oxygen; therefore the best potential breath-holds will occur with less contractions. - (Eric Fattah already addresses this)
- contractions can come later; therefore resist them with your mind. - (Contractions are most likely the bodies way of maintain a tollerable balance within the body to be able deal with the circumstances; does not have anything to do with making it easier for you to tollerate the circumstances or feel comfortable. Actually the opposite is most likely true. Your body wants you to stop. But if you don't listen it is still going to adapt to the situation as best it can. Hyperventilating is defeating this and therefore giving the body less chance to defend itself when it needs to.)
- contractions are uncomfortable. Therefore, contractions should be avoided. - (Using this philosophy: Don't hold your breath; it is more comfortable.)
[EXPERIENCE]
Experience in the arena of breath-holding for the freediving community is still quite new and in-experienced. It will continue to see new outlooks. Factors previously unused will become common place.
An expression of this potential and variance can be seen when you look at the breath-up techniques employed to achieve strong breath-holds:
- many (technique mainly due to promotion as opposed to long-term exhaustive research) use a sequence of breath-holds as warm-up/preparation of the body and mind before a target breath-hold. This can regularly be a 20-30 minute preparation period to achieve a 7-8min breath-hold.
- others do no warm-up breath-holds and 40 secs of breath-up to achieve a 7-8min breath-hold.
[CONCLUSION]
This is to give beginner's and the considerate-advanced something to use to further explore the possibilities. As opposed to being confined to the fast inexperienced solutions such as "it is all in the mind", "the best breath-hold will be acheived through contractions later", "8+ minute breath-holders are born with the ability".
We know so little about the overall workings and complexities of the body and over-simplified conclusions are not going to help anybody explore their potentials and the potential of the general body. Maybe this will give a small unconfined influence to somebody as they extend into answers of their own.