Volunteers required for deep freedive project: Southern France

[trux]

A bit strange information appeared on the German blog. They tell that the progress is going very well, Seb did already 100m with the first dive, and will attempt to break the WR tomorrow. They do not tell which one (214m?, 244m?)

No information whether he did other dives after the one of 100m, how long ago it was, what maximal depth he achieved since, etc. I hope the 100m were not the only dive, but the news almost try to tell that. Hm, not sure if the reporting really improves

 

[trux]

OK, so on the English part, there are some more details. So it really looks like that Seb did his very first training dive to over 100m today, and is heading to the record depth tomorrow. That sounds a bit crazy to me, but wish Seb that he returns safe!

 

[sebastien murat]

Hi,

First day with an opportunity to jump on the net. Please excuse as I'm not current with the updates...I'm pretty well removed from all of that.

Today, again heavy seas, being picked up and tossed about all over the place like a rag doll, but we dived anyway and it all went well and very controlled. We'll dive again tomorrow, early, before the wind picks up, but it's highly unpredictable.

Finalized pretty much all tests on the system. Conditions are such that there isn't the scope for doing any warm-up of any sort, but I've adapted to the situation and doing the best we can under the circumstances. That's ok suits me just fine. Tomorrow we'll be stepping up to 120 kg and excpect to get some tremendous speeds especially in the first 10m, before the float has time to grab and counteract the ballast; I'll get to a depth of 10m in just over a fraction of a second, and about 20m in less than 5 seconds. Not surprisingly equalizing has been an issue over such a steep pressure gradient, which we've now resolved anyway. Certainly conventional techniques can't keep up with such rates in pressure change. The the system works as predicted....fast but not too fast. Fabrizio has been a real gem and in fact he's now salvaged the situation countless times. We've renamed him Da Vinci on account of his ability to penetrate to the core of a problem and come up with ingenious solutions to technical issues. I've learnt a lot from him. I couldn't think of anyone more capable than he. Not surprising perhaps he did his instructors with Peli. Perhaps it really should be called the Italian job as we're speaking Italian much of the time. He's also the first diver I've witnessed being able to equalize with water after literally less than 2 minutes instruction; he is very knowledgeable, so again not surprising perhaps. Marc and Guillaume are really very cool, relaxed and very funny guys which makes the experience all the more pleasant. In fact we couldn't be more relaxed or having more fun or laughs. They really crack me up.

Anyway, crossed fingers with the weather.....what can you do except focus ahead and not behind. Heard Herby got a hit...wish him all the best and a speedy return. Congratulations anyhow.

Best
Seb

 

[sebastien murat]

By the way, here's a representative profile of a dive with heart rate data, which is really helpful. Courtesy of assistance from Niklas Stoss of Subgear/Uwatec... a really helpful `can-do´ individual.

 

[trux]

Where? where? Wishing good luck, good wether, and safe return, Seb!

PS: I confirm Niklas is very helpful - it was especially thanks to him that the winners of WAFA got the Meridians this year

 

[MariKa]

Yes, there are several Russian freediving forums, but I am not sure which one is the most used. Maybe try pinging the member here on DB with the alias Osusim. There are also many freediving groups on Facebook, including some Russian ones. If not I'll look in my archives later and post some links. For the start, try this one: Фридайвинг на Free-diving.ru • Ð“Ð»Ð°Ð²Ð½Ð°Ñ Ñтраница

yeah I know this forum already there, thank you!

 

[Denea]

Hi everyone,

I'm the English Blogger for The French Job and I wanted to let you guys know that your comments and criticisms are now heard loud and clear!

We're not free-divers, I'm a Divemaster but I've only just begun to try free-diving and the more I do the deeper I respect the sport - and you all.

Our lack of free-diving experience means that we might not be able to come up with the sort of information you'd interested in on our own so if you have any questions for Séb or any of us would you please post them here:

Questions Here Please! | | The-French-JobThe-French-Job

That way I can relay them on to the dive team and get you the info you want to hear!

Thank you again for your support for Séb - I've just posted an update on his trials and first successful test dive from this morning here:

http://bit.ly/Kk4xHN

He's going out again this afternoon and I've asked for some technical info on his technique and weight systems so I'll have a post out about that for you all tomorrow!

And PS I know they were off topic but the cookies were awesome - maybe make them for a post-dive snack?

All the best,
Denéa

 

[trux]

Thanks, Denea, for the details. So Seb is heading for another deep dive today? Or is it just a shallow dive for testing the equipment? Two deep dives in the same day, and then right a record attempt the following day, that sounds very crazy from the point of view of the DCS risk, regardless that it is on FRC. I know Seb is one of the most knowledgeable freedivers, but it still surprises me anyway, that he does not fear any DCS with so many dives in such a short interval.

Well, wishing him a safe dive and best of luck!

PS: yes, I am sure the cookies were good, and in fact your bikini, Denea, are also wonderful. Just add some real info up and then and it will be perfect!

 

[ThomasB]

" Fabrizio has been a real gem and in fact he's now salvaged the situation countless times. We've renamed him Da Vinci on account of his ability to penetrate to the core of a problem and come up with ingenious solutions to technical issues. I've learnt a lot from him. I couldn't think of anyone more capable than he. Not surprising perhaps he did his instructors with Peli. Perhaps it really should be called the Italian job as we're speaking Italian much of the time. He's also the first diver I've witnessed being able to equalize with water after literally less than 2 minutes instruction; he is very knowledgeable, so again not surprising perhaps. "

I couldn't be more proud to confirm Seb's words and to be a good friend of Fabrizio. ❤

 

[trux]

Hm, strange, yestarday we've got plenty of posts about cookies, bikinis, etc., and even a lot of response to our critics, and it even continued this morning (EU time), but suddenly there is a complete drop out in the information stream, just when it starts being interesting!

So Seb did a test dive to +100m this morning, announced the first record attempt for tomorrow, and wanted to make a second dive this afternoon, but we get no information at all. I hope everything is fine over there and hope we get some news soon!

Denea, MariKa, could you tell us what's up? Did Seb do the second dive, or did he skip it? Do you have already the answers to some of the posted questions that you could share with us?

 

[trux]

Hm, very very strange. Today is the day D, yesterday there ought to be another training dive, but we do not get any news from all the half a dozen of bloggers since more than 24 hours at all.

I pray that the bloggers just miserably failed again, and not that it is a sign of some major troubles

 

[watts]

I think all you questions were a bit much and they all need a lie down.

 

[rddk]

Hi all, even iif ya all expect me to give ya info's about Seb dives, i can only say thank you to him for his nice words i'm happy to have met suc nice person like he's same for Mark and Guillaume, we've having really good time all toghether and in my little opinion that's the most important thing, i'm glad that all of you are really interested in what we're doing but i think that all of your question will be answered soon by the bloggers or directly by Seb.
Have nice time.

 

[trux]

Thanks, Fabrizio, for the post! At least we are assured there is apparently no major trouble. But what the heck do the five bloggers do since 2 days? Not a single word from them since yesterday morning. Isn't their job to blog about the event? OK, I understand they know nothing about freediving, but could they please post at least some new cookie receipt, or a photo of Denea's bikini? I start missing it!

 

[Jorg]

there is an update; the science of free diving and some technical numbersThe-French-Job

 

[Denea]

Thanks, Fabrizio, for the post! At least we are assured there is apparently no major trouble. But what the heck do the five bloggers do since 2 days? Not a single word from them since yesterday morning. Isn't their job to blog about the event? OK, I understand they know nothing about freediving, but could they please post at least some new cookie receipt, or a photo of Denea's bikini? I start missing it!

So now you want the info you called useless? We're a loveable lot honestly so try not to hate on my cookies too much - I felt really bad about that!

Yes we're here to blog about Seb's training and attempt but we need to make sure we have all our facts straight before we do, and check them past Seb, etc etc.
We've all actually been out on the water today (without computers and I even went scuba diving to film from below) with Seb and he's been working all day. He was training hard and looking very good when we were there. We left before they did so I'm just waiting on some info to give you guys. I tried to answer some of your questions and offer a bit more of the technical side with this: the science of free diving and some technical numbersThe-French-Job

Also Stuart and Geza have done a beautiful new video: Séb 'The Sub' Murat's Technique... - YouTube

I'll have answers to your questions soon too.

Cheers,
d

If you can be patient we'll have more for you soon.

 

[trux]

Thanks Denea, the info starts looking much better, though the majority of the questions remain unanswered. But we are patient You have to understand that when there is an almost 40-hours long information blackout, it is very scary. Escpecially after the accident of Herbert Nitsch last week, 2 dead No Limits divers last year, and many more in the past, the silence is always very scary and for us it cannot mean anything good. So I prefere reading each day 10 cookies receipts, and looking at hundreds and hundreds of your bikini photos than not hearing anything at all during 40 hours.

When you go on posting silly articles, it is still valuable information for us - it means nothing serious happened. But when you suddenly stop, it can only mean two things to us - either there was a bad accident, or the party was too long the last night. However a party that causes a 40 hours blackout at all five bloggers, that sounds already quite bad itself too and we then do not know whether to be more afraid about Seb or about you, and our fear doubles.

So as I told, please go on posting, regardless what is it. We want to hear everything is fine, even if you do not answer any of our questions.

PS: a tip for the next days: you can take a mobile phone with you on the boat next time, and send at least some Tweets or telegraphic Facebook updates, so that we have at least some minimal info. It does not cost much time, but will be appreciated by many

 

[Denea]

But we are patient

So as I told, please go on posting, regardless what is it. We want to hear everything is fine, even if you do not answer any of our questions.

Hi everyone!

Here are the answers to Trux's questions posted on The French Job site. Séb's internet isn't fantastic (as he said himself earlier this week in this topic) so it takes a little while for him to confirm info.

Enjoy: Sebastien Murat Answer Readers QuestionsThe-French-Job

Also an awesome new video talking about his technique is embedded in the post. You can thank your incredible video blogger Stuart and Geza for that one!

 

[trux]

Great! Thanks for the details, Denea (and Seb)!

 

[mattbigblue]

hmmm looks like Denea and Ivo are flirting
yes, yes Ivo I'm sure Denea should give You her number and contact directly about any kind of news

Can't blame You, her bikini..ekhm...smile is...tempting