Freediving & Breathing

Freediving has been used throughout the ages, originally for pursuits such as fishing and pearl collecting, and then as a competitive sport in modern times. In addition, people also freedive for photographers and the personal challenge it provides in physical fitness. It is preferred by some to SCUBA, in that it has no requirement for equipment and the experience is not tainted by noise and bubbles. However, to make sure that maximum benefit can be gained from freediving and to allow the pastime to be performed safely, it is a good idea to learn the correct breathing techniques.

  1. Human Physiology

    • Human bodies are designed to breath on land not underwater. However, the human body has a natural mechanism that allows it to function on reduced oxygen levels while underwater. This is known as the mammalian diving reflex. The blood vessels in certain parts of the body constrict, restricting the flow of the blood around the body. The decreased circulation around the body means that the heart does not work as hard and reduces the oxygen use around the body. Bradycardia, or slowing of the heart, decreases the pulse rate by 10 to 20 percent or up to 50 percent in trained divers. How much of an effect this has is dependent on certain conditions. These include how fit the individual is, the water temperature, how ready psychologically the diver is, the diver's lung volume and depth of the dive. Each of these plays a part in the process and some of them can be controlled, meaning that humans have the ability to control and enhance their mammalian diving reflex.

    Breathing Techniques

    • A popular technique before freediving is hyperventilation, which cleanses the body of carbon dioxide when you take short shallow breaths continuously immediately before the dive. This purges the carbon dioxide from the system and allows a more concentrated oxygen ration in the final breath taken. However, if this technique is to be used then it is highly recommended to dive with a buddy and have rescue support, due to the potential dangers that can arise from hyperventilating before a freedive.

    Dangers

    • The principle danger in freediving is shallow water blackout when the body reacts to cerebral hypoxia. The body determines when it is time to take a breath from carbon dioxide levels in the body. Hyperventilation before a dive purges carbon dioxide from the body. This means that the body does not know when it has to take a breath leaving the diver much more susceptible to blacking out.

    Improving your Breathing

    • There are a number of exercises that you can do to improve your breathing and thus have a more rewarding dive.

      Static apnea training is simply holding your breath for a prolonged period of time. This trains the body to survive on reduced oxygen levels but should always be practiced on land where a breath can be drawn if necessary.

      Apnea walking is another technique of increasing endurance which brings exercise into the equation by walking a certain distance whilst holding your breath.

      You can strengthen your breathing by practices such as breathing through straws or air restricting devices. Breathing through straws stretches and strengthens the intercostal muscles. In addition, breathing through an air restricting device can limit the amount of carbon dioxide that is expelled with each breath and build up the body's tolerance to increased concentrations of carbon dioxide in the system.

      Yoga is also a recommended exercise to increase breathing ease.

      A simple tip is just to practice your breathing and to think about how you are breathing. The mental side of freediving is another factor to be considered and preparation can affect how the body reacts to the breath hold.

    Training

    • It is possible to do training in freediving and a number of instructors are available worldwide. During these programs you can learn the breathing techniques, before and after the dive, and ways to prepare your body. In addition, you will learn underwater movement techniques, to ensure you get the most efficient and safe dive possible, thus gaining maximum reward from the experience.