Learning on my own how to Freedive

[danvolker]

Special breathing and breath holding techniques are best taught by real freedive instructors....I have my own way of doing this, but I hesitate to share as I am not a freedive instructor, and I think this gets to a procedure that can become deadly if done incorrectly.....
I really don't want to be a Dick about this....I also don't want to offer my way for this, and find out someone used my concept of lung packing and breathold, and then blacked out and died.....
I can't see anyone drowning from my ideas on kick shape, so on this I am fine going on ad nauseum

 

[Arubandi07]

Special breathing and breath holding techniques are best taught by real freedive instructors....I have my own way of doing this, but I hesitate to share as I am not a freedive instructor, and I think this gets to a procedure that can become deadly if done incorrectly.....
I really don't want to be a Dick about this....I also don't want to offer my way for this, and find out someone used my concept of lung packing and breathold, and then blacked out and died.....
I can't see anyone drowning from my ideas on kick shape, so on this I am fine going on ad nauseum

Dan is right about this; while it would fairly simple to explain the technique, there's just no way of ensuring that you won't use it in an unintended, and potentially dangerous manner.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Special breathing and breath holding techniques are best taught by real freedive instructors....I have my own way of doing this, but I hesitate to share as I am not a freedive instructor, and I think this gets to a procedure that can become deadly if done incorrectly.....
I really don't want to be a Dick about this....I also don't want to offer my way for this, and find out someone used my concept of lung packing and breathold, and then blacked out and died.....
I can't see anyone drowning from my ideas on kick shape, so on this I am fine going on ad nauseum

I support this opinion.
Fast tracking someone on the internet that you don't know and have never met is not a good idea.
Go get proffessional freediving instruction face to face, work in the pool, classroom theory, open water goals (with spotters) etc.

 

[BigRichP]

I get your point and I'm not trying to be a dick either but... http://m.wikihow.com/Hold-Your-Breath-for-Long-Periods-of-Time

I'm just looking for some basics and a starting point. Most everything I've read recently I'm already doing naturally anyway.

 

[Phantom Menace]

Lung packing is effectively over filling your lungs beyond their normal capacity. It is not for the average snorkeler at all - and you can black out from over packing. At the start of this world record no fins dive (About 50 sec into the clip) you can see William Trubridge "packing".
[video=youtube_share;PUcpzf0rbAw]http://youtu.be/PUcpzf0rbAw[/video]

Pranayama yoga breathing techniques are less extreme - we use the "3 part breath" at the free dive club I train with. Also - avoid hyperventilating (and be aware of Shallow Water Blackout)

 

[BigRichP]

Thanks.

Does anyone here recommend Florida Freedivers classes? I'm not looking to dive to 60', I'd just like to increase my bottom time (safely) at 30'-40'.

 

[Phantom Menace]

No recommendations on Florida free dive clubs / training here sorry (I am in New Zealand). But if you join a club and do a little depth training you will find that 30' - 40' is comfortable pretty quickly and that you will be passing 60' in relatively controlled situations (i.e. on a free dive line with appropriate safety in place) without too much trouble. (Unless you have issues equalising - this is what holds people up at round 45' from my limited experience).

 

[danvolker]

Thanks.

Does anyone here recommend Florida Freedivers classes? I'm not looking to dive to 60', I'd just like to increase my bottom time (safely) at 30'-40'.

Florida Freedivers are excellent. I have seen them teach classes, and I can't say enough good about them.

 

[ShootingUnderwater.com]

Actually, when you say "Worst case scenario, I float up to the surface unconscious." that's not true. Worst case is you die. Folks here have given you excellent advice, please take it.

Check into a "meet up" group, I'm sure someone (even a scuba diver) would be willing to help you as you practice. Wouldn't someone in your family, or a friend, in the area also be willing to help? Even if all that person does is standby with a phone to call 911, you're better off.

Along with advice to practice in the ocean or a clear quarry, you could consider using a swimming pool. I've seen training courses for world-class free divers practicing breath holds in the pool. They also setup cones at varying distances and practice swimming to them, checking off their progress. it seems a safer scenario than what you're planning. Once you have your breath hold time increased, then take it to the open water. The key there is not to panic - always stay calm.

Good luck.

 

[Arubandi07]

Actually, when you say "Worst case scenario, I float up to the surface unconscious." that's not true. Worst case is you die. Folks here have given you excellent advice, please take it.

Check into a "meet up" group, I'm sure someone (even a scuba diver) would be willing to help you as you practice. Wouldn't someone in your family, or a friend, in the area also be willing to help? Even if all that person does is standby with a phone to call 911, you're better off.

Along with advice to practice in the ocean or a clear quarry, you could consider using a swimming pool. I've seen training courses for world-class free divers practicing breath holds in the pool. They also setup cones at varying distances and practice swimming to them, checking off their progress. it seems a safer scenario than what you're planning. Once you have your breath hold time increased, then take it to the open water. The key there is not to panic - always stay calm.

Good luck.

Should have quoted and high-lighted the portion of the post you were addressing, so folks know who you're talking to ...