Free diving techniques?

Question

What are breathing techniques that Free divers use to hold their breath longer?

Answer 1

The key is, hyper-oxygenation without hyperventilation.  There are several ways to hyper-oxygenate your body.  The first is relaxation.  The more muscle movements you use the more oxygen  you use.  You need the proper amount of weight on your belt so it takes less muscle movements, or oxygen, to descend.  Try to make yourself neutrally buoyant at about 15 - 20 feet.  This way you can descend by free falling and totally relaxing your body.  You can also use a low-volume mask so you don't need to equalize as often.  Long-blade freedive fins make a world of difference, especially when returning to the surface.  Remember, when you reach your deepest depth you're only half way there!  You still need to make it back to the surface.  

Instead of hyperventilating, take slow, deep and full breaths.  Exhale completely.  If you do this for a minute before you dive you will raise your oxygen level.  Cardio-vascular training helps keep your heart rate down and expands your lung capacity.  3-4 hours a week will really help.

     Make sure you dive with someone who can dive as deep or deeper than you so he can help if you suffer from shallow water blackout.  Take the snorkel out of your mouth as soon as you go under.  If you do blackout, the snorkel will let the water right into your lungs.  If your snorkel is out there is less chance of that happening.  Shallow water blackout usually occurs within 20 feet of the surface while ascending.  If you surface too quickly, your lungs will expand too fast, possibly drawing too much blood into them and depriving your brain of oxygen, causing blackout.

Hope this helps.  Stay safe!

Aloha