Mental Tricks

[spirit4earth]

Nalu-sup, that’s good info.

[PonoBill]

Along Nalu's line, when I was training to freedive longer the first "trick" I learned was breathing from the diaphragm, pushing my stomach out and concentrating on taking the start of the breath low in the lungs, then inflating the chest last. Equally important to reverse that to exhale. Not only does it store a bit more oxygen in my lungs, but it also calms me down. I can feel my center move lower.

When I'm in bigger surf, I do that while I'm waiting. I tend to hold my breath in the drop, so starting off with enough oxy in my blood and lungs to last two minutes is a very good thing.

I've also learned the value of an impact vest in waves of any size. Coming back to the surface quickly with your head clear of the water after a hold down is very reassuring.