What gear do you use for static?

[naiad]

It would be interesting to know what everyone uses for static, and why.

Most people use a mask, or goggles and noseclip, but some prefer to use goggles only, or noseclip only, or nothing at all.

I use goggles only. I will try with nothing and see what happens. I don't like using a mask or noseclip for static.

Lucia

 

[Morg]

I perfer to use a mask. For the following Reasons:

1. I dislike when water gets in my nose
2. (If in a pool) I like my nose covered because of its a public pool and you don't know whos been swimming in there.
3. I like to stick with a mask because when I do actually freediving I will be using a mask.
4. I can see all the crap that is not going to get in my nose quite clearly sitting on the bottom of the pool roflrofl

 

[Evita]

I use goggles and nose clip. The nose clip is a new addition. I use it because I tend to blow out air through my nose without really meaning to...

 

[naiad]

I use goggles only. I don't like the idea of having my nose covered when I surface. I sometimes let out a small amount of air without meaning to, but it doesn't make much difference.

 

[Evita]

I sometimes let out a small amount of air without meaning to, but it doesn't make much difference.

I used to think so too, but the guys at my club shake their heads in disappointment whenever they catch me doing it. Apparently even small amounts are a big waste.

 

[sickbugs]

mainly i use nothing, i dont like the water in my nose, but i also dont like holding my breath during contractions, so i figure i train both at the same time that being said, i hardly ever get to do wet statics

 

[commonerg]

I like my nose to be free- just feels more comfortable. Actually I don't even mind if water gets in there. At the end of training if I've gotten enough water in my nose, it smells like im at the ocean.

Just goggles for me.

 

[naiad]

I mostly don't mind if water gets in my nose. If it starts to bother me during a static, I take a tiny bit of air in my mouth, like one reverse pack, and push it back into my nose. If I get it right, it shouldn't be so much that any bubbles come out, just enough to displace the water.

I don't know if that makes sense, but it works.

 

[MBanks]

I prefer not to use anything for my statics. By not wearing goggles or a mask I can leave my eyes open and still not have to focus on anything, which, like when having my eyes closed, allows me to slow my thoughts and achieve a calmer state of mind much easier. And water up the nose doesn't bother me. Also the wearing of a mask or noseclip also applies pressure to parts of my body, which obviously sensative to touch, therefore by eliminating the input from as many of the senses as possible makes it easier to dissasociate myself from my enovironment and allows me to stay calmer and under for longer.

 

[AltSaint]

No wetsuits? Timers? Swim goggles or noseless masks? Wetsuit with hood up or down? Thickness of wetsuit? Goggles filled with air or liquid?

Lots of variables. Whenever I have used a wetsuit with hood and had the hood rolled down, I have had a bad result. The tightness around the neck is not, I believe, a good thing.

Most goggles don't give me good enough vision to see my D3 ticking away, so I use a noseless mask. This though, has the disadvantage of covering up some of the sensory points around the eye. Still prefer it though.

 

[naiad]

I also use a noseless mask instead of swim goggles. Most swim goggles end up leaking and discoloured.

I do use a wetsuit. The cold would be unbearable without one. I have the hood rolled down, and it seems to work so far.

I like to time myself as well as having my buddy time me. This way I can know exactly how long I have done at any point.

 

[MBanks]

I'm finding this thread quite interesting, too see how people vary in doing statics and their reasons behind such a simple choice.

It seems most people who have posted use goggles or a mask. What do you look at when you are doing your static, or do you focus on a non fixed point?

 

[AltSaint]

Eyes shut while I'm catatonic. When I come out of that, if I haven't had my first tap, I like to know how long I've been going ( unless the tap come first, which often happens ). After that it's just pool tiles or the spotter's toes I look at.

 

[Sergiu]

I dont use a wetsuit, the pool we do static is for kids and the water quite warm, mostly from hot springs used for the pools (or at least that's what we try to convince ourselves!). Therefore, i dont use a wetsuit a body Tshirt and sometimes a cap.

After being experimental for a while, i prefer now goggles and sometimes a noseclip but i also like doing statics without any goggles or mask, as MBanks, i can relax easier with blurred vision!

Finally, i realised that only with a timer i get better results - i gotta see how i ma doing, when the contractions start and how much time i still have left to the desired result.

 

[naiad]

Eyes shut while I'm catatonic. When I come out of that, if I haven't had my first tap, I like to know how long I've been going ( unless the tap come first, which often happens ). After that it's just pool tiles or the spotter's toes I look at.

Same with me.

 

[perow1]

Interesting thread. I am currently batteling the problem of wearing a suit or not. I do not want the suit so I just wear the pants, and that is only for flotation. The buoyancy of the suit gives an incredible sense of relaxation. On the other hand I would like to get colder. I never get cold DURING a static, but very often after. I beleive that cold water adds to your times as long as you are comfortable with it.

 

[naiad]

I always use a suit. I do get cold during statics, and this affects my times, so I need a suit. It would be good if I could get used to the cold water, but I haven't discovered a way to do that.

 

[jome]

Ok, not that anyone cares, but this is my "setup":
-1.5 mm elios top
-5 mm pants
-Paradisia

I find that the 1.5mm is warm enough, yet easier to relax and breath in than the 5mm. But I have to have the pants on or my legs sink and I get very uncomfortable. I'd like to do no suit, but I get too cold in the local pools (26-27c), to do an efficient warmup. Also the wearing pants are useful so that you don't lose control because of feelings of shame in the very end, when things sometimes happen.

I'd also like to loose the noseclip, but every time I get even the slightest hint of pool water up my nose, it will irritate and leak clear fluid for days.

No socks, no gloves, hood on (I'd prefer off, but I haven't found a comfortable way to do it, without cutting the damn thing off).

This is the way I prefer it and am most comfortable, BUT it doesn't seem to have much effect on performance. I've done similar statics with goggles, mask, 5mm top , no nose clip, hood off etc. In the end it doesn't make much difference...And I think it's good to train with different things, so you don't panic if you forgot to pack your lucky goggles and notice that 10 minutes before warmup and have flown over half the globe to compete. Simpy throw on a teammates mask and do your best! (I think Timo K is the official master at this

Most enjoyable static moments (yeah I know...Enjoyable static moments?) are without a suit, in warm water, FRC statics on the bottom. Sometimes it just feels like you don't want to leave at all and you really have to remind your self of the objective reality of staying.

 

[perow1]

I always use a suit. I do get cold during statics, and this affects my times, so I need a suit. It would be good if I could get used to the cold water, but I haven't discovered a way to do that.

Interesting. I wonder if it can be done with pure training. Just enduring cold water a lot? If so i think it is a slow adaption. Still, my times are a bit beter with suit, so i guess the bouyancy wins the battle...
....so far.

 

[jome]

It's been a "project" of mine to train that, by "ice swimming", which is quite popular among different types of nutjobs hereabouts. You have a hole in the ice, and you dip in, preferrably every morning before work. I genuinely believe that doing this regularily for some reasonable time would increase tolerance to cold water (if nothing else, at least mental tolerance) significantly.

Dips so far: 0, been at it for 2 years

I simply cannot muster the will. I hate cold water!