dumpsterDiver
Banned
- Messages
- 9,003
- Reaction score
- 4,657
- # of dives
- 2500 - 4999
The glide is important. But then so is the breath hold.
Relaxation, confidence and basic comfort in the water are critical. Assuming that you are a comfortable and confident swimmer (if not, then I recommend some swimming instruction) a free diving class where you learn some basic breathing techniques will make this a very easy exercise. Here's something that you can try with a buddy:
Heres the routine: You need to learn a modified yoga breathing, that is to say instead of tensely stuffing air up to the top of the lungs, empty the lungs by exhaling steadily for five or more seconds, the let the lungs fill comfortably and take them gently to the top slow and easy.
What's the problem with the way most divers breathe? Their breathing is neither deep enough nor slow enough; its all up top and rapid, kind of like panting. While they likely take in enough oxygen they do not eliminating enough carbon dioxide. Shallow rapid breathing also does not move the diaphragm and intercostals enough and muscle memory adds to the push to gulp another breath.
Floating face down, take 5 breaths (empty, gentle fill till comfortable, full but not packed, breathing from the diaphragm and stomach, do not hyperventilate, don't breathe fast, breathe slow, don't breathe high, breathe low) through your snorkel and then hold your breath for 10 seconds focusing on your watch. During the last five seconds your buddy counts down, five, four, three, two, one, breathe, and you come up and take a big, empty the lung first breath.
While you recover your buddy does the same thing. Repeat the process with a hold of 20 seconds, then 30 seconds, then 45 seconds, then 60 seconds, then every 15 seconds out to 2 minutes. Do not take it farther than 2 ½ minutes. Your buddy should be gently talking to you, encouraging you, and telling you how much time is left at reasonable intervals. It is critical that in between each set you fully recover. Immediately before you start each breath hold set, you must take the five breaths, but be sure that you dont try and pack it up full, that will just makes you tense. Work with your buddy and concentrate and getting as relaxed as possible.
We do this exercise, out to two minutes at the beginning of every pool and open water session.
Try it yourself (remember you need a buddy), let us know what you find out.
You advice about how to breath upon surfacing is not correct. Maybe it was thought to be ok a long time ago, but it is exactly wrong from what is being taught to freedivers. Freediving has improved human performance in the last 15 years much. much more than ANY other sport. Nothing can compare with the quantitaive improvements that these athletes have acheived by totally smashing the old records. It is truely remarkable. Possibly your recovery method was acceptable 20 years ago, but it is no longer thought to be acceptable. In fact, I think knowledgable freedivers will recognize your advice as dangerous and has been associated with causing Samba and Black outs.