The last few weeks I've been practicing my breathing with an app called STAmina. I was advised to follow the CO2 breathing sequence which will help build up resistance to the bodies natural warning of CO2 build up. I started on the app with 0:45 second breath holds, 1:00 minute breath holds, then worked up to 1:25. My breath holds are currently 1:25 and breathing sections starting from 1:30 and decreasing by 5 seconds to 0:55. It's 8 cycles and the total time of the exercise is 20 minutes. One thing I noticed was that it was important to be relaxed with no interruptions. If I got interrupted then even at the first 15 seconds of my breath hold I'm thinking that I won't manage it, and towards the end of the hold it was starting to become uncomfortable. I had the app setup to beep every 15 seconds which seemed to help really well, as its difficult to judge how much time has passed. I've notice in the past that it can sometimes be difficult to judge time when relaxed. It currently feels good to know the elapsed time, but I can also see how it could be off putting as well. In a few days I'll be in Malta with One Breath Freediving. So I need to keep up my breathing exercises and finish the last few pages of the AIDA2 manual. Before doing any training I thought I may be able to hold my breath for 1 minute. But following the course manual and the breathing app I've surprised myself that I can do 8 cycles of 1:25 breath holds. I'm a bit nervous about some aspects of the course. As a scuba diver I know I'm more comfortable and relaxed when under the water, rather than on the surface, so I'm currently wondering how well I'll be able to relax on the surface. I think of the transition between the surface and underwater to be the risky area when scuba diving..... probably due to possible kit issues rather than physical ability. Also, on the surface I feel more exposed and vulnerable and this only seems to be the case in the sea. Once under the water it's peaceful and calm. Another issues is the feeling of being underwater on just a breath hold. Being at 15m without an air supply is very dangerous situation when scuba diving but is perfectly normal and safe when freediving. Although I held my breath when in a pool or snorkelling in the sea and felt ok |
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Welcome to a series of new blog posts where we follow the experience of a scuba diver as he learns to freedive properly for the first time! Here is part one: I started scuba diving in September 2011 and have done 400 dives. I've completed the PADI divemaster qualification as well as the SDI Solo diver, PADI tec 40 and I'm currently studying for Tec 45. I like to learn from every dive and always look at ways to improve. I'm currently working on kit configuration and practising technical diving procedures and methods. I've thought about doing a freediving course for the last 2 years, although I've not taken it any further than that.... until now. In about six weeks I'll be doing my AIDA2 with One Breath Freediving in Malta. A couple of days ago I went to my local 6m deep pool where I was able to prepare for the course. I just wanted to practice The Frenzel Maneuver for equalising. This is how I equalise when scuba diving, but when scuba diving the decent rate is a lot slower and I'm horizontal, not head first. After 15 minutes in the pool the equalising was going well and towards of the session I could manage 30-40 seconds under water. This was without knowing any relaxation, breathing techniques or how to efficiently duck dive. At this point I hadn't read anything about freediving. I used a 5mm wetsuit, 3kg weights, scuba fins and mask. Over the next few weeks I'm going to be studying the AIDA2 manual and spend some time practising breathing and relaxation. I'll update my experiences here in a couple of weeks while I progress through the freediving manual. - IAN Great conditions at Cirkewwa as Vitalijus & Bruno complete the final open water requirements for the AIDA3 course.
Congratulations Ryan, Earl, Rody & Yanica for successfully completing AIDA 2* Course. Here we are celebrating together on Tug 2 wreck after the final course requirements were met.
And to reveal the identity of my new student.......
........Martin Faulks "Author, martial artist and esotericist." With interests, including Ninjutsu, Tai Chi, Meditation, Freemasonry and Hermetics. Also referred to in the British media as the 'Norwich Ninja' due to his training in the secretive martial art. Here he is doing some Free Immersion at Cirkewwa! Follow his video diary of his training on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwjLqYaZ44w&list=UUt8UUqwAccfhetgC7alponA Congratulations to Nadege, new AIDA 2 Star freediver!
She made great progress and is now a step closer to her goal of becoming a fish :-) Well done. She also chose to have photographs taken of her course experience, great memories and a wonderful way to show family and friends what freediving is all about. This could be you! All on only One Breath........ One Breath Freediving now teach AIDA freediving courses! From 1 star (Intro) up to 3 star (Intermediate) with 4 star (advanced) courses coming soon. AIDA is the governing body for the sport of freediving and the largest training agency. We look forward to offering their respected courses to our customers in Malta :-) |
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