free diving

[freediver ken]

This is the breathup technique I used to break the 4 minute barrier. I was just over three minutes and then tried this and added a additonal 1:15 to my personal best.
Copied from Samdive at Deeper Blue.com

I always used to start with a really short one, get comfortable and work up. For ages I used this schedule

2 mins breath
1 min hold
2 mins breath
2 min hold
2 mins breath
3 mins hold
3 mins breath
4+ mins hold

I got a bit bored of how long that took and now find I can easily start on a 2 minute or even 2 1/2 minute hold but still don't get any longer on the last one

 

[CincyBengalsFan]

I have to build up to achieve the longer holds also. It really works. What's the physiology behind this technique working so well I wonder?

 

[freediver ken]

I was always tried to hold my breath to the max each time, and made some progress. But the first time I tried this breathup technique, starting with a easy short 1 minute hold and then going thru each step in the post, I added a full minute to my personal best. I believe its more than just a warmup exercise, I believe the slow approach triggers a delay in the desire to breath and starts conditioning the body for a high C02 level. I normallly got contractions at 2:00, but this pushed it back a full 45 seconds. I got my first contraction at 2:45, then they came steady at 3:15 and I just held on to 4:15 without too much discomfort. I think the apnea walks are also helping.