When does it become dangerous to train alone? I have been snorkeling swimming and surfing my entire life. As a surfer you can be held under for quite a while. I've never blacked out. Are their time limits , for example:Over 2 minutes is dangerous? Or is it always dangerous to train alone?
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Training safety???
- Thread starterMike Newman
- Start date
Thread Status: Hello
, There was no answer in this thread for more than 60 days.
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Time is little relevant. For example at the last competition here in France, we had two blackouts after 30s, and both were rather experienced freedivers who are able of 6 min statics. There are so many factors playing a role that it is impossible to give you any number. Generally, hypercapnic training (short recoveries) is considered safer, but that again can be quite dangerous too when combined with depth. So if you want to train and have some results, you definitely need a buddy. Otherwise you cannot push anywhere where the training would have an effect. Except of training exclusively the technique - that's what I do when I have no buddy.
Hi Mike, welcome to DB 
Like Trux, I train technique when I'm alone. Also I do dry statics, pool apnea and even freedive alone. Like you, I've been doing it since I was a kid. Of course, I know I'm sometimes taking a risk: but at 46 years old I'll never push myself when I'm alone - if I have the faintest of doubts I'll come to the surface and swim the last 500m back to shore.
I'm properly weighted and know how to judge my own depth and dive time. Of course, my freediving habits have met with several raised eyebrows and looks of concern: "What?! Alone?!"
Sure, I understand everyone's concern, but doesn't everything we do in life involve an element of risk? Frankly, I'd be disappointed if yet another choice were removed, limiting my freedom. Guess I've always been a bit of a rebel...
Edited just to add that even though I've never had a black out whilst doing apnea, I know that the risk is there.
Like Trux, I train technique when I'm alone. Also I do dry statics, pool apnea and even freedive alone. Like you, I've been doing it since I was a kid. Of course, I know I'm sometimes taking a risk: but at 46 years old I'll never push myself when I'm alone - if I have the faintest of doubts I'll come to the surface and swim the last 500m back to shore.
I'm properly weighted and know how to judge my own depth and dive time. Of course, my freediving habits have met with several raised eyebrows and looks of concern: "What?! Alone?!"
Sure, I understand everyone's concern, but doesn't everything we do in life involve an element of risk? Frankly, I'd be disappointed if yet another choice were removed, limiting my freedom. Guess I've always been a bit of a rebel...
Edited just to add that even though I've never had a black out whilst doing apnea, I know that the risk is there.
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Specific to your question, its always dangerous to train alone. Somewhere in these threads is a description of a well reasoned rule to keep your dives under a minute. Search for it, its worth reading. That is also pretty conservative (it was designed to be).
Black out is a funny thing. Many spearos (me included) have been diving for many years, pushing the edges like crazy, and never had a black out. The only time I ever came close was doing something truly stupid, and I knew it at the time. On the other hand, lots of experienced divers have blacked out with no warning doing dives that appeared to be well within their limits. Happened to a buddy of mine last year, while I watched. Left us scratching our heads trying to figure some explanation and more than a little spooked.
One thing that I think is very significant. There is so much knowledge available today and so easy to get before a diver really understands it, that it is much easier to get beyond your safety zone. That is particularly true for someone with good water skills, who picks up a bunch of training ideas as well as a slightly inflated idea of what is normal performance and then tries to implement them while training alone.
Not pointing any fingers, but be careful.
Connor
Black out is a funny thing. Many spearos (me included) have been diving for many years, pushing the edges like crazy, and never had a black out. The only time I ever came close was doing something truly stupid, and I knew it at the time. On the other hand, lots of experienced divers have blacked out with no warning doing dives that appeared to be well within their limits. Happened to a buddy of mine last year, while I watched. Left us scratching our heads trying to figure some explanation and more than a little spooked.
One thing that I think is very significant. There is so much knowledge available today and so easy to get before a diver really understands it, that it is much easier to get beyond your safety zone. That is particularly true for someone with good water skills, who picks up a bunch of training ideas as well as a slightly inflated idea of what is normal performance and then tries to implement them while training alone.
Not pointing any fingers, but be careful.
Connor
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