I cant breathe!

[colinpryce]

can anyone let me have some practical tips on how to stay down a bit longer?
I'm not talking about serious freediving, just "spearfishing for beginners" type of thing.
I can do 1 min 45secs at a stretch but get the impression this is a bit pathetic compared to most visitors to the site!
Any tips would be gratefully received.(i've seen some discussions here recently about this but need to start at the beginning).Thanks CP.

[Farmer Mat]

Hi,
i think its all about training...
Use those famous static tables - you can practice at home with no water and your performance will increase dramatically...
you`ll find them somewhere on the deeperblue-page!
i hope that helps you out, but i am as well not a professional
regards
Mat

[dave]

1.45 is quite a long spearing dive in the UK.
I average about 1.15 on working dives, but will occasionally push to 2 if the situation demands it.
I prefer to do shorter dives with shorter recoveries to maximise "bottom time per hour"
Always dive well within your comfort zone. Spearfishing is not competitive freediving, there are no prizes for holding your breath the longest!
The best training for spearfishing is..... to go spearfishing, fish knowledge and instinct are far more important than physical ability, breathold time or even fitness (although they all help!)
cheers
dave
www.spearo.co.uk

[tuomo]

Why would you need to stay underwater for any longer than that?
I would say that that is already very long dive. I normally dive about 1:20 and thats easily long enough for most of the fish.
Dont push it, just dive as long as you comfortably can.

Tuomo

[colinpryce]

Many thanks for the replies and advice.All taken on board.Time to get wet I think.
Cheers CP.

[Alison]

Originally Posted by colinpryce

Time to get wet I think.
Cheers CP.

BRRRRR! You can tell he's Old Bill, you'll scare all the fish away if you start stamping your feet to keep warm
Seriously, the guys are right, theres no need for huge aspetto in the UK but theres no harm in practicing, it can only increase your safety margin; try searching through the freedive section for breathing techniques and breath ups, its a massive resource of info

[colinpryce]

Thanks Alison....looking now.CP.

[Amphibious]

lots of time in the pool. lots!!! for me, my time at depth is directly proportional to my comfort level. the start of every spearing season is terrible, but ass I get out and get wet the times get better and better. don;t look at spending great times on the bottom. when I;m freediving for fun my dive times are a lot longer then if I'm hunting. I always hunt with conservitive bottom times incase a rapid follow-up dive is required.

[Murat]

1.45 diving time is not bad at all. Mines are around 1.30, will push 2minutes barrier this summer (hopefully).

If you manage to get 1.45 i am sure you can increase it by diving more frequent since probably you know much of the basic stuff.

I have friend, he is the deepest in the island (i belive). He does 3.5 minutes dive. Aspetto at 35 meters...No need to say i feel pathetic when i see him doing that. But he is a swimming instructor in university and he spent every single day in pool if he is not spearing.


edit: By the way he does all of those diving after 4-5 hour son stop surface swimming to reach the spot from the shore