Delaying contractions

[Jonta]

Hi im 15 years old and have trained some breath holdinf for about 3 weeks now. My pb is 3:37. But i wonder if theres anyway of delaying contractions.
Now i usally get then around 2 min when im totally relaxed. Will tables help or what shall i try?

Sorry about my poor enlish.

[perow1]

Hello!

I see that you are living in Umeå, the freediving Mekka of europe! I would answer you in swedish, but since this is an english speaking forum I will write here in english.

I am training apnea here in Umeå on an advanced level, and spending considerable time in our (two) pools (and our icy waters). I just read your other posts on breathholding and that you were to try dynamic apnea with some friends aswell. I have not seen you around. I hope you refrain from training alone and if you train in water do it with friends you can trust who are educated in the possible dangers of apnea.

2006 a freediver from Sundsvall died training alone. Pool training has been a delicate matter since. Umeå is quite close and we have worked hard to be able to train in the pools. One ugly samba could be enough to shut down all training possibilities for good.

But to answer your question. There are several ways of delaying contractions, BUT! Delaying contractions is a dangerous game and you are probably on the wrong path if you are trying to delay contractions as a way of improving your breathhold. My first 7 was done with contractions starting at 1.45, so delaying contractions in not a very important factor. Relaxation is!

I will send you a PM so you can contact me for some tips on good trainging and proper safety. in SWEDISH...

Kul att du gillar att hålla andan i alla fall!
Vi hörs!
/Per

[Newbie_spearo]

Hi guys,

Just curious about contrations? I haven't experienced them and correct me if I'm wrong but not every one gets them? My max breath hold is only 2min15sec but I'm thinking I could probably go longer it's just a matter of relaxing and will power?

Thanks,
Jono

[perow1]

Well, there are people who don´t get them. There are also people who don´t get them from not holding their breath long enough AND most importantly people who hyperventilate and dont get them.

People who hyperventilate will not get a good breathhold and most importantly will be doing a dangerous thing and risk their health/life.

Don´t let the contractions be a measurement of your breathhold capacity. How your body react is very individual and is to be learned together with someone else with experience. Be safe.

[Newbie_spearo]

Thanks for the info, I certainly don't hyperventilate. Nice slow big breaths, I'm guesing I can just try holding my breath a little longer then? Push through that initial need for air.

[Ulf]

Originally Posted by Newbie_spearo

hyperventilate. Nice slow big breaths,

That’s actually the same thing. Hyperventilation is breathing more than your body needs. It doesn’t mater much if you do deep slow breaths or fast breaths. Both reduce CO2 in your body, delays contractions, delays dive response and increase the risk of black out!

[salibandy]

I had the impression slow deep breaths help slow your heartbeat, and that hyperventilation is something like 15 or more breaths in quick sucession, or something like that?

[sanso]

Originally Posted by salibandy

I had the impression slow deep breaths help slow your heartbeat, and that hyperventilation is something like 15 or more breaths in quick sucession, or something like that?

Nope, both not necessarily true.
Hyperventilation is, as correctly stated above, breathing more than You have to, that's all it means. This doesn't depend on the frequency, but just on the volume of gas exchanged per time.

Slow breaths also don't necessarily lower Your heartbeat, but they do help. If You want to lower Your heart rate, You will get best results if You spend more time exhaling than inhaling and give more focus to exhaling as well. No haste, no stress and nice, long exhales... hmm....

[salibandy]

I see. Thanks for clearing that up, oh wise master sanso. =)

This is why I love this forum so much. So many wise owls to learn from.