Will I ever have a chance?

[Henrikgl]

Hello! My name is Henrik and I just joined this forum. Mainly because I really like the water in general. After I scuba dived when I was 13 in Mallorca, I was hooked. It was so fun! I was down to 7 meters deep for over 60 minutes! I've swimmed for many years, but quit a year ago. Now, I have a question. Will I ever have a chance?

Right now I'm 15 years old. I'm 187 cm and weigh about 78 kilograms. I live in (cold) Norway and I'm an asthmatic too. I can hold my breath for a little over one minute if I try. I've always liked snorkeling and diving, but as you probably can guess I can't go for very long, nor very deep. I've searched a little around, both on basic technique and free diving with asthma. Right now it doesn't look /that/ bright. So instead of just pondering on it, why not ask someone who knows their stuff?

That's why I am directing this question to you guys. Will I be able to get into free diving? I don't think I'm totally done growing (my father was 204 cm) but I'm growing in a very slow pace now. My asthma is not /that/ bad either, but when I first clog up I clog up for real. So, should I wait? Should I go ahead and get classes? I need some guiding.

- Henrik

 

[REVAN]

I've found deep apnea to have an anti inflammatory effect on the overall body. So, maybe the asthma won't be an issue. I have aerobically induced asthma, and freediving actually helps me with my condition.

 

[Henrikgl]

I've found deep apnea to have an anti inflammatory effect on the overall body. So, maybe the asthma won't be an issue. I have aerobically induced asthma, and freediving actually helps me with my condition.

Great! Also, how is it to dive in Norway? Or cold waters in general?

 

[NoFair]

Norway is fine with a good wetsuit (better in the western and northern parts).
Cold shouldn't be a problem with asthma since humidity is high.

Frivannsliv are very helpful and also do courses.

 

[Kars]

Stig Serverinsen, Danish recent retired world champion, and many other freedivers also suffered from astma, they all benefitted greatly from freediving, and many record holders have had Astma in the past.

Personally I suffered 1 Astma attack in my youth. I also had trouble with allergies such as hay fever. The hay fever is still a bit there, but the Astma is complete gone. A girlfriend once was surprised how slow my normal breathing was, more then 2x slower then hers. This is due to the improved technique and the CO2 tolerance. The latter is usually screwed up massively due to bad breathing habit of hyperventilation.

Recendly I've climbed to a altitude of 4300m without any breathing problems, it felt easy.

I know Stig has written a book, 'Breathology': Amazon product ASIN 1928649343It may be just the book for you

So if you have Astma, then I believe freediving can be the therapy to full recovery.

 

[PJB]

Hello! My name is Henrik and I just joined this forum. Mainly because I really like the water in general. After I scuba dived when I was 13 in Mallorca, I was hooked. It was so fun! I was down to 7 meters deep for over 60 minutes! I've swimmed for many years, but quit a year ago. Now, I have a question. Will I ever have a chance?

Right now I'm 15 years old. I'm 187 cm and weigh about 78 kilograms. I live in (cold) Norway and I'm an asthmatic too. I can hold my breath for a little over one minute if I try. I've always liked snorkeling and diving, but as you probably can guess I can't go for very long, nor very deep. I've searched a little around, both on basic technique and free diving with asthma. Right now it doesn't look /that/ bright. So instead of just pondering on it, why not ask someone who knows their stuff?

That's why I am directing this question to you guys. Will I be able to get into free diving? I don't think I'm totally done growing (my father was 204 cm) but I'm growing in a very slow pace now. My asthma is not /that/ bad either, but when I first clog up I clog up for real. So, should I wait? Should I go ahead and get classes? I need some guiding.

- Henrik

Hi Henrik. I have good news for you: I have been a lifelong asthma sufferer. I am 45 Years old now, and have been taking chronic medication for many years. Asthma is of course a very serious matter depending on the individual pathology, but over the years I also came to Understand that the extent to which it affects your enjoyment of life is a state of mind. even with my asthma I managed to do many sports at a high level including rock-climbing, high altitude mountaineering, mountain biking and swimming. After always performing well at high altitude (5500m+) I realized that my asthma actually boosted my hypoxic capability in sport. So I tried freediving 4 years ago just to see. At my diving medical I was assessed to have only 47% small airway function, but with the right instruction I was soon able to reduce my chronic medication dose by 75%! Not only that, but I am proud to tell you that I qualified in May this year as an instructor under Umberto Pelizzari's 'Apnea Academy' - interestingly, the same organization where 'Breatheology' author Stig Severinsen also qualified. Asthma should not limit your enjoyment or ability, though it is advisable for us to approach our development of depth methodically to limit the pressure on inflamed lung tissue, and to work hard at diaphragmatic flexibility and relaxation. Anyway, that's been my experience. Go for it, but be sure to be patient and get the best instruction. I strongly recommend the AA approach. Enjoy!