A Winter Training Program for Freedivers:Part I
Posted By Aharon & MT Solomons on 28 November 2005
Any of the above signs should result in the following actions:
- TURN THE DIVER OVER AND/OR BRING HIM TO THE SURFACE IMMEDIATELY, WHILE SUPPORTING HIM
- REMOVE MASK, GOGGLES OR NOSE-CLIPS AND BLOW ON HIS EYES. (The eyes have baro-receptors in them)
- TALK QUIETLY AND ENCOURAGINGLY TO HIM. -- DO NOT SLAP OR SHOUT AT HIM
- IF CONSCIOUSNESS HAS NOT RETURNED WITHIN 30 SECS., START AR AND GET OUT OF THE POOL.
- IF CONSCIOUSNESS HAS NOT RETURNED WITHIN ONE MINUTE, CALL FOR HELP, AND WITH PROFESSIONALLY QUALIFIED HELP GET READY TO PERFORM CPR AND ADMINISTER OXYGEN.
- ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT WHAT FOLLOWS BLACKOUT IS DROWNING.
If there is doubt, REACT! Better risk the diver's annoyance than that of his family.
Do not ask the lifeguard to keep an eye on you. If he missed the exact moment when you went down he won't have a clue as to how long you have been holding your breath. Furthermore, his attention will always be divided if he is doing his job, and YOU are an added distraction.
3) Make a plan and agree on signals
A pre-arranged programme MUST be clear to the monitoring partner, complete with a program for the exchange of signals.
In the last phase of the end of a 'declared' extended breath-hold the exchange of signals will become more frequent. (Refer to AIDA competition rules).
Obviously, in doing tables (for instance Table A from the Apnea Academy) the only signal exchanged may be the signal to surface as the diver is only working to 50% of his maximum.
4) Never do static on the bottom
This entails putting weights on the diver, and in my opinion, it is unsafe. Furthermore, this technique complicates the exchange of signals.
One of the most lethally dangerous things to do is static at depth, either in open or confined water.
5) Static on 'empty lungs' is NOT recommended
This is an extremely advanced practice which is NOT suitable for everyone, and when incorrectly performed there is a risk of pulmonary oedema. It should ONLY be done under the direct supervision of a competent and qualified instructor.
SWB happens very quickly and with no warning in empty lung practice. Also, it is sometimes hard for a partner to detect that there has been a blackout.
6) Do a MAXIMUM breath-hold infrequently
A warning MUST be issued against divers doing frequent breath-holds. Two maximum breath-hold attempts either in static, dynamic, or a combination of both in the same day SHOULD NOT BE ATTEMPTED.
This is an invitation to a near-certain SWB on the second attempt.
Frequent maximums on successive practices are mentally exhausting and unnecessary.
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