A while back I posted to Spearboard my breathing technics, since then many divers have requested the information. Over the years I have taken plenty of students under my wing and taught them this technic. Some are able to obtain dives twice as deep within just a couple of lessons. So I decided to post it here in my blog, I have already put it in my new book. I could write all afternoon on increasing your bottom time; it would be easier to talk to individuals. In the wake of Gene H. death this is going to be a sticky topic. As with everything we do their is inherit risk, freediving has it's own. I almost lost a dive partner once to SWB; I'd hate to read about someone on this list SWB. Anyways be careful, don't push yourself and whenever possible use a dive partner system.
I break my advice into three sections. Surface, Decent, Ascent. Since surface is the most important part I'll start with it.
Let's begin by saying the need to breath is a result of Carbon Dioxide levels are too high in our body. So we exhale to remove it. This urge is so strong that it could put us in a panic state to reach the surface; this could increase our consumption of oxygen, which is already pretty low. This in turn could be disastrous. So if Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide are equal when we start our dive, we have given amount of time before we need to surface (excluded any variables, such as excitement from spearing a fish, to currents, cold water, etc.).
If we were to start the same dive with our Oxygen level a little higher and Carbon Dioxide a little lower and all other variables were the same then we should have more time underwater.
Now how do we do this, I learned this from a friend named Doug Peterson, he trained the guy overseas with this technique and his static time is above 8 min. Anyways I've been able to increase my average underwater time from around 1 min. to 1.30-2 min. using this technique. Obviously, the better in shape you are the better you body will function in this high Carbon Dioxide state. So physical conditioning will affect your time too.
The technique is based on 1 min intervals. After returning from a dive your heart usually recovers and slows down in about 1 min. This is when most divers will go back down, but your gas levels are not back to good levels. After 1 min. start the following breathing exercise.
Calmly- breathe in deeply and exhale deeply for 8 secs. repeat this process for 45-50 secs. it's important to try to relax every muscle you can while doing this even your mouth around the snorkel. (quit biting it!)
Next for ONLY 5-10 secs breath rapidly emphasizing and forcing your exhale. Do not do this too long as it will lead to hyperventilating! A no-no... This completes the cycle repeat this process for 3 or 4 cycles.
On your last cycle just before going under after you complete your rapid breathing take one long deep breath and exhale it slowly and completely (I put my hand on my tummy and make sure my tummy deflates all the way) Then take you last full breath close your mouth, spit out your snorkel go under by pivoting at the waist and kicking one leg up. Let the weight of the single leg start your decent, at about 7-10ft swallow that last breath you took and are holding in your cheeks. This may accomplish two things. First, when you swallow you relax the muscles in your mouth thus increasing your time and second if done at the right time it could serve as your first equalization!(HAH, how bout that!)
Decent- The purpose of the decent is to get to the bottom using as little oxygen as possible. If you are weighted properly (another discussion) then this should be between 25-30 ft. In order to use as little oxygen as possible, movement must be smooth and only if required. After 30 ft you should be free falling. In free falling we can control our direction by changing the angle of our fins. In this phase, to maximize our oxygen we need to become hydro dynamic. Keep your arms as close as possible to your body, your head should not be looking down (unless you see something and going after it) If you head is looking down your mask is buffering the waterflow across your body. Thus slowing you down. Relax, equalize, you’ll see the bottom around 20 ft. before hitting it. Level out using only your head and fins, do not use your arms. (this is a good Mutton hunting tech) Wait. Check your 6!
If you don't see anything get you butt back to the surface and start over. Don't push yourself for nothing, is what I'm trying to say.
Ascent - by now you body has used up a majority of oxygen and the carbon dioxide is getting higher. On ascent, again try to relax as much as you can even though you want to be on the surface so bad. Kick little short stokes trying not to use the larger muscles in your thighs. These shorter strokes also prevent buffering on the way up. Remember water drag issues! keep your gun in tight, no need to look up as this only slows you down. Relax! Relax! Relax!
You can try this breathing exercise at home in your favorite chair or bed, this way if you push it too far your wake up to your girlfriend or wife screaming at you instead of seeing St. Peter guarding the gates of Fish Haven! Please don't try this in a pool, so many freedivers don't make it out of pool practicing breath holding.
You should see results almost immediately! Around the 4th dive or try you will see about a 30sec increase.
Now any of these methods will help your bottom time but when you perfect all of them and are in good shape will you start to see consistent increased performance. Good Luck, please dive safe!
