How to get comfortabel in water?

[Jonta]

Hi after traning dry about 2 times a week for a coupel of weeks now i was off to my first pool visit in a while. It was whit my school so i dident really had any time for freediving but i tryed to just hold my breat whit a friend watching. I was suprised by how bad my statics in water was. i had no preparation at all but i had a hard time doing 1:00min. Then i got out off the water and did 2:00min like nothing. I later tryed just to stand in the water (about 1m deep) but still it was alot harder then just standing on the ground. Does anyone of you have any idea how i can train to get comfortabel in water? Just to spend time in water or what? I also tryed holding my breath on the bottom of the deep side of the pool(~4m). I was suprised that i did 1:30 as i only manage 1:00 on the surface. But all of thease hold where done whitout preparation and whit pretty high pulse. But still it was the same conditions for the 2:00 min dry. (My pb dry is 4:13)

[Erik]

I'm going to assume that you have a spotter for your in-water stuff?


The bottom of the pool will increase the partial pressure of oxygen, might improve your bottom time and can contribute to blackout... but you know that, yes? If you don't, then ask here and learn what you're doing to yourself so that you don't end up in the hospital or worse.

Cold water will kill your static if you've been in for a while, so maybe a suit is needed. However, I think you just need to get a lot of time in the water and learn to relax deeply doing it. Learn some relaxation techniques- maybe use an appropriate visualisation (ie: in the womb, diving deep and slowly with whales, etc), or anything that helps you focus and enjoy the experience.

Cheers.

[Jonta]

I was being spotted the whole time when i was doing breathholding in water.
But can 4m really cause swb?? I thought it whould not be so much diffrence in pressur 0m to -4m to creat any real danger of swb. But its nice to learn some new stuff. I like water and have always did but i just think i have to get used to relaxing in it while holding my breath. I took some time to get used to it on land. The pool is pretty warm so i dont think i will need to use a wet suit until summer when i plan to try my first open water dives.

[Erik]

Originally Posted by Jonta

I was being spotted the whole time when i was doing breathholding in water.
But can 4m really cause swb?? I thought it whould not be so much diffrence in pressur 0m to -4m to creat any real danger of swb. But its nice to learn some new stuff. I like water and have always did but i just think i have to get used to relaxing in it while holding my breath. I took some time to get used to it on land. The pool is pretty warm so i dont think i will need to use a wet suit until summer when i plan to try my first open water dives.

Not necessarily SWB, but blackout all the same! Glad to hear you're being careful.
Remember that we came from water, whether you believe Darwin or not- in the womb we were immersed. You belong in the water! Think of why you are drawn to it, as are most people... most humans head to the beach or the lake whenever possible, and doesn't a warm shower feel like heaven? Haha!
Cheers,
Erik