I've just finished reading the article, and indeed quit some danger and death in it, much extaggerd in my opionion. The impression that I got is freedivers are dieing every day and week. Though it may be true for the occational uneducated unobserved youngsters or old folks in hot tubs and lone spearfisherman in the world, I don't think that's the case for the compeditive freediver even with the sleddivers included.
The Death whish part.
Until now I've had twice the realisation 'one is not going to get to the surface on one's own steam'. Both times it happend in CW. The first time it was the most scary. A lot of things had gone wrong, but the effort I invested and my willpower was to strong to do the early turn. As I touched on the 54m, in cold (4c) total darkness I began my swim up. My technique sucked, my mono's heelband was damaged and the negative boyancy with the darkness made it feel like ages in my mind as the line seemed to stay almost stationary in place. I guess that at the depth of about 40m I must have had this sudden sensation of death becomming a possible reality. I overcame this scary thought by shifting on focussing on what I could do, namely doing my very best. So I continioued with beste technique I could produce, and as some boyancy and light returned, I saw some bells from the scubies at 30m pass by. Then Kurt was there at 25m, looking me in the face asking me is it ok? I shook my head and contioued swimming. At about 18m I switched to doing free immersion (I should have done that earlier!) as Glenn was buddying me. That's about the time my memory stopt recording, so I gues I went out about 8-10 seconds later at about 10-9m from the surface where Glenn and Kurt rescued me.
Now if things go wrong or it doesn't feel right I turn early, and If I'm somehow surpriced or be too far down I recognise the situation for what it is, - Oh shit! -, and focus onto the practical thought and task at hand.
I don't whish to have this 'oh shit' sensation, I much rather have the uplifting, "yes the equalisation was good, I'm relaxed, it's going great, let's do a nice perfect swim to the light". The light being the light of the surface offcause!
I think the term Deathwish does not resonate well with me. The feeling I get from the term 'Death Whish' is like some actually WANTS to die. I hope those people who are seaking and crossing their barriers are more searching for the sensations one can have without dieing. The 'Oh shit I'm not going to make it' isn't a pleasant and supportive thought.
On the other hand totally submitting yourself to the element while going down can help to relax and conserve energy. Though personally I prefere to 'wake up' when I'm getting to the plate, to check myself if everything is well and to get that last equalisation and that turn right.
My one favourite dive is the CW one to 50m in the meditarain Spain. Though it was also depth pb, the joy was in the increddible sensations I got standing on an empty flat oceanfloor with a line going up into this endless blue and experienceing a feeling of relaxation homecomming and belonging. Then a inner voice called me to start the swim back up, and so I did with ease and confidence and it became a the best dive I remember. The second best was my recent 43m CWNF in Sharm, because it was no fins, with just 1kg and no packing with hands free equalisation, it was very peacefull and relaxing and magical.
I hope William explains us in his own unedited words what it is he actually tried to explain to the reporter, for it is still unclear to me.
Love, Courage and Water,
Kars