INTRODUCTION
THE MOUTHFILL EQUALIZATION TECHNIQUE
PACKING (GERMAN: KARPFEN) AND EMPTY LUNG DIVES
FREE HAND EQUALIZATION
FREEDIVING AT ALTITUDE
FREEDIVING WITHOUT A WETSUIT IN COLD MOUNTAIN LAKES
REPORT OF MY FREEDIVE-CAMP IN DAHAB (2003)
REPORT OF MY FREEDIVE-CAMP IN DAHAB (2004)
Photos from Dahab 2003, Part I
Photos from Dahab 2003, Part II
Photos from Dahab 2003, Part III
Photos from Dahab 2003, Part IV
Photos from Dahab 2003, Part V
Photos from Dahab 2004, Part I
Photos from Dahab 2004, Part II
MY PROGRESS IN FREEDIVING OVER 34 YEARS
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This page is a compilation of all of my contributions to deeperBlue forum since July 2002. Because of many positive responses from other forum members, I decided to categorize my posts scattered all over deeperBlue forum into major subjects and make them available on my homepage. I want others to benefit from my experience of over 30 years of freediving. |
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Contributions of Eric Fattah on the internet, especially the THE MOUTHFILL EQUALIZATION TECHNIQUE have helped me to improve my maximum depth substantially. Have a look at Eric Fattah's Paper on Equalization My purpose for this article is to complement Eric's document with a practical "down to earth" description, how someone like me with small resources (time, money, ...) and lots of responsibilities (kids, job, ...) was able to break his equalization-barrier by applying Eric's document without even being able to follow all the exercises prescribed in his paper. I had the same problem as so many freedivers have! No air left to equalize my ears - and I have an urge to communicate how much the observation of this technique has helped me - because it is easy to learn. Please don't worry if you don't master all the exercises as prescribed in the famous frenzel.doc. Personally I haven't managed yet to use my tongue as a piston to pump air against the roof of my mouth. Enlightening for me was the fact that every equalization without the help of the lungs will be useful to apply this technique , whether it may still be called Frenzel or not. What is so brilliant about this document: There we find more than most of us would ever need in order to go deeper. Even partial application (as in my case) helped tremendeously. Eric Fattah's document has great value and I would like to complement his work by explaining how it has helped me to advance from 40 to 50 Meters after relatively few tries from a "nuts and bolts"-perspective. My description below is almost too precise for a general application. I would call it the "Frenzel Fattah Schmidt"-method. However I want any reader of this article to grasp the main idea - which is to shut off the connection between the lung and the mouth with the help of the epiglottis (German: Kehldeckel) and - based on that - customize their own technique To re-explain Eric's method in my own words: you close the epiglottis and shut off the connection between your mouth and your lungs. As pressure increases you are pushing pockets of air into your mouth (squeeze them through your otherwise closed epiglottis). You begin about 15-20 mt before failure depth and continue to do this as long as you can. Failure depth is the point after which you would not be able to equalize with "conventional methods" Actually a very simple trick As You go deeper the pressure in your lungs will always be below the pressure in your mouth. Your closed epiglottis (Kehldeckel) will keep the air from rushing back into your lungs. This trapped air (your cheeks should be inflated) has to be pressed into your ears with your cheeks (not with your lungs!). It is absolutely important never to open the epiglottis (German: Kehldeckel) accidentally after closing it, otherwise you would loose the very air that you were trying to preserve for equalizing past failure depth . It will take a little practice in the beginning to move your cheeks for equalization while still keeping the epiglottis (German: Kehldeckel) closed. This is especially difficult in mountain lakes, where the water temperature at failure depth is always around 5° degree centigrade (41° Fahrenheit). Under these conditions the facial muscles are getting numb, and then it's getting really hard to move them. My personal testimony My failure depth used to be -35mt (couldn't do equalizations past that depth) allowing me to cheat my way further down to a maximum of -40 to -42mt, depending on my shape for that day. I did the first Austrian national record that way in Sardinia at the 2.WC in 1998. I wanted to go down to -42mt with the uncertainty to reach my goal - even though there would have been enough oxygen to go deeper! I am sure, many freedivers can identify with me in this situation. Fortunately I reached my goal that day even though my ears were bulged inward and were starting to hurt. But with the Mouthfill Equalization Method now I can equalize at a depth of -50mt without packing (=forcing extra air into the lungs by pumping it down with the cheeks) and with a "normal" Cressi Sub Super Occhio mask. Reiteration The most important thing is to close the epiglottis (German: Kehldeckel) and push air through it into your closed mouth (as if you would clear your throat). You should begin to do this 15-20 Meters before failure depth, in my case at a depth of 15-20m, afterwards it's too late. With increasing water pressure my cheeks collaps again, however I am still able to get little portions of air out of my lungs - in my case that would be between 20-28mt, where there is still enough air left to "refill" them. In a good, concentrated dive I should have my cheeks refilled for the last time at -28mt (in my humble case). From there I have no more lung support and "live off" the air in my cheeks. By this time I have already been equalizing with my cheeks for (at least) the last 10mt. I have to, otherwise I "loose" the air that is trapped in my mouth. It would escape through my open epiglottis right back into my lungs. (For "shallow" dives down to 35mt I don't even need that technique, in fact, here I can equalize freehand). It takes a little practice to fill the cheeks, use them to equalize the next second and then to refill them again. The greatest difficulty is keeping the epiglottis (German: Kehldeckel) closed while pumping new air into the cheeks and while pressurizing the air further into the eustachian tubes. Below approx. -28mt it is getting easier, since no longer I am pumping air into my cheeks, I am only squeezing air with my cheeks into my tubes. By this time I am already in a free-fall and can totally focus on my "cheek-equalization". Don't forget to prevent the air from being sucked back into your lungs - the epiglottis (German: Kehldeckel) must be shut at approximately 15-20mt prior to failure depth until You reach the bottom! It takes practice in the pool and also in deep water to keep that from happening. Sometimes I still loose air back into my lungs on my way down. Have patience with yourself and don't get discouraged, you will get over it! A very reputable freediving-school fell short of passing on to me a proper equalization technique, instead they were vaguely alluding to a diaphragmatic move in a "relaxed" state. Which is fine when you live close to perfect training conditions all Year round. In contrast, Eric Fattah's - method is not only brilliant, but absolutely for free on the internet! Applause!! It allows me to improve on my depth inspite of having only 10 days of practice in a year(!). I am all for proper freediving education but we better make sure we ask people if they have clear concepts for teaching all subjects, including equalization, before we sign a check! In Conclusion: The application of the the mouthfill equalization technique is not limited to records or personal bests but also for reaching familiar depths with greater ease and comfort. Even if you only move with 55 m/ph along the highway it still makes a difference if you are sitting in an old beat down car or a in luxury limousine with air condition. |
BACK TO THE BEGINNING OF THIS PAGE
To pump additional air into your lungs after they are completely full is called "packing". You suck in air the way you would drink from a straw, filling your cheeks, while you keep your epiglottis closed. Then you close your mouth and push this air down into your lungs. This can be done up to 20 to 30 times, but please be careful! A similar exercise may be familiar to those who have pumped down some air to be able to burp. The difference: the air goes into your stomach for burping, but into your lungs for packing.
During my last health check I used a spirometer to measure the effctiveness of packing for the first time. Immediately my vital capacity was increased by 800ml. It's definitely a good exercise for lung-stretching and neccessary for reaching the absolute limits, but it should be practiced very carefully, to avoid pre-dive blackouts (I watched a world-record holder having one recently!) and to avoid secondary injuries due to collapsing (from a standing position). I am not against packing, I only recommend to practice it under supervision.
I have found people complain at forums that packing didn't help them to go deeper.
Is it of any wonder that I am absolutely fond of the the mouthfill equalization technique , also called Mouthfill Technique? What is working so well is not hard to advertize. This technique is so efficient, that I don't see a need to resort to packing for deepdives yet, even though I only have a "normal" lung capacity (5.5 l) and a Cressi Sub Super Occhio mask. A german idiom transliterated into english goes like this: trying to hit a sparrow with a canon-ball . In application: mastering the Mouthfill Technique (and using a small diving mask of course) will shift the "packing-zone" (the depth where packing becomes indispensable) to a much deeper level, a level that most of us will never have to be concerned about.
Empty lung dives
Empty lung-dives are a good warmup to stimulate the body into a bloodshift-mode without wasting energy for a subsequent maximum-dive. Due to them the pressure on the thorax will definitely come later (deeper) depending also on your daily shape. Fortunately I had to turn very rarely because of a thoraxic pressure, but very often because of unseccessful equalization.
Packing and empty lung dives are useful for lung stretching
Please consider: empty lung dives (negative dives) and pack-stretching are excellent warm-up methods just to prepare the lungs for a deep dive! This is an advice from the Australian national record holder, Walter Steyn: "I definitely recommend pack stretching , even if you don't use packing on the actual dive. After you have 'stretched', your maximum inhale without packing will be slightly more, or you can hold the normal amount with much less strain..."
Instead of fighting the pressure under water, why not letting it work for you? This is the philosophy to my customized BTV (Beance Tubaire Voluntaire or voluntary tube opening), facilitated by water pressure. I have been practicing this for decades!
It may take a few careful tries until you get the feeling. It is important that you strap your mask really tight to your face before you dive. Starting from the surface going down, just allow a little pressure to build up in your mask very carefully. While you ventilate the mask you take advantage of the pressurized air that is now escaping into your tubes (moving of the jaws facilitates the opening of the tubes). If you can equalize very easy by pinching your nose you should not have any problems with the "mask-technique". As you continue to equalize, the mask is kept away from squeezing your face and at the same time the tube is acting like a valve, opening up at every blow into your mask. This technique has helped me to go -30m/plus in unassisted constant weight (without fins) and has added a lot of joy to my freediving experience. However I am limited to a maximum of -40mt that way (with the last equalization around -36mt).
Important: You should feel some "resistance" in your mask, while ventilating it with your nose, otherwise you have to strap it tighter, but not too tight! It must not feel uncomfortable on your face.
For maximum dives I have to resort to the newly acquired the mouthfill equalization technique technique. How I was able to apply this technique successfully, even though I failed some of the exercises prescribed in Eric Fattah's famous document, You can read here
1 atm = 1.01325 bar which is equivalent to 10,33 mt of fresh water or 10,13 mt of salt water with average salinity.
denoted variables
P(A) = Pressure at the surface of a lake at altitude
General formula to calculate air pressure at altitude
Here is the barometric formula to calculate an air pressure P at arbitrary heights:
P = P0 × e-rgh with:
Let's start with a practical example:
P = 1013 mb × e-0,122×2,6 = 737 mb (rounded to mbar)
The consequences are twofold:
1) Oxygen storage
Example 1: A simple introduction - diving at an altitude of 5500 meters:
Let's suppose we are freediving in a lake in Tibet at an altitude of 5500mt: At the surface we start with roughly 50% of an atmospheric pressure at sealevel. At a depth of -50mt this pressure will have increased by approximately 5 extra atmospheres (we don't split hairs now by differentiating between bar, atmsophere, kg/cm², ... they may be used interchangeably). The ambient pressure will have increased from 0.5 atm to 5.5 atm, relatively spoken: by 11 times.
Conclusion: equalization will be just as difficult as diving from sealevel to -100mt (where the absolute pressure will have also increased by 11 times). Less density of fresh water will (almost) never compensate the disadvantage of starting at a higher altitude.
Example 2: Diving to -30mt at an altitude of 2600mt compared to a dive that is started at sea-level
To calculate the air pressure P at an altitude of 2600mt, I use the barometric formula:
P(A) = 1013 mb × e-0,122×2,6 = 737 mb (rounded to mbar)
Now we apply [2]:
0,737/3,737 = 1/X
Example 3: Herbert's Constant Weight World-Record dive to -95m on Sep 04, 2003 at Millstatt Lake analyzed:
The altitude of Millstatt Lake = 588 Meters.
P(A) = 1013 mbar × e-0,122×0,588 = 931 mbar (rounded to mb)
95 mt of fresh water cause a pressure of exactly 9,5 × 980 mbar = 9310 mbar (this time I want to be precise!)
Now we apply [2]:
931/10241 = 1/x
Finally we calculate the virtual depth for an equivalent dive at sea level:
1. The rather paradoxical fact that oxygen consumption is reduced during an apnea dive in cold water. This phenomena has been coined by Eric Fattah as HDS (Hypothermic Diving System)
2. The absolute necessary precondition for taking advantage of the Hypothermic Diving System is to keep the core body temperature high before getting into the water, also mentioned by Eric Fattah.
In August 2012 I managed to dive to a depth of 36 m (118 feet) in a mountain lake called Attersee (Lake Atter), near Salzburg, Austria with only a pair of fins and a bathing suit. Noteworthy is not the depth by itself but the water temperature down there: 5°C (41°F). It wasn’t painful at all and I didn’t have to be “tough” to survive the dive but surprisingly it was a pleasant experience that I am planning to pursue next summer.
How was this possible?
I have had previous experience in diving without a wetsuit, but nothing remotely to being exposed to water temperatures of 5°C–10°C (41°F-50°F) for more than 60 seconds, as I have been in this 36 Meter dive. I owe this accomplishment to previous experience, to old dreams and to perfect conditions that I had in August 17 and 18, 2012.
1, Previous experience: I have been freediving since 1969, and back in the old days it was pretty normal to dive without a wetsuit. I got used to the shock after passing the thermocline during our summer vacation in Croatia. Typically the water temperature that did await us at 30m (100 feet) was 15°-16°C (60°F). Those of us living close to Vienna have the famous Neufelder See at their disposal, a small lake about 40 km (25 miles) outside of Vienna, where most freedivers from the eastern part of Austria do their training sessions. Typically in the summer time the thermocline of Neufelder See is at a depth of 7-8 m (25 feet) after which the temperature would drop to 10-13°C (50-55°F). I remember that it used to be painful to spend more than 30 seconds below the thermocline without a wetsuit.
2. Looking at the impossible: In 1978 I passed my CMAS *** SCUBA-dive examination near Seefeld/Attersee. Back then we had to do some drills on a 40m (131 feet) platform. That was the first time I have been diving in Attersee, a mountain lake near Salzburg, Austria. Back then the crystal clear and numbing cold water instilled so much awe that I wouldn’t even dare to think about freediving to that platform in a wetsuit let alone in a bathing suit! But I believe that many dreams start when we become specifically aware of something as being “impossible”. As of now this impossibilty is only 4 meters away after reaching 36 meters this summer with little effort. My next goal is to dive all the way down to that 40m platform (131 feet) without a wetsuit.
This impossibility stayed in the back of my mind since 1978 and occasionally I would dare to dive in Attersee down to 20 Meters (65feet) without a wetsuit. Back then I was too fearful, therefore I couldn’t fully “enjoy” the cold water. A scuba-station nearby used to display the water-temperatures at certain depths of the lake. These are the typical measurements in August, when the surface temperature reaches its maximum:
@Surface: 22°C (72°F)
3. Realizing the dream: Friday, Aug 17 2012 was a day with perfect conditions with an air temperature around 30°C (86°F), no wind and calm water. On that day I didn’t feel like fixing the tears on my Elios-jacket from yesterday’s dive and then to struggle into it again. My core body temperature was high and spontaneously I decided to dive in my bathing suit. According to my SUUNTO the water temperature on the surface was 22°C (72°F). I aimed at a depth of 32 Meters and was immediately successful. To my surprise it was a very pleasant dive that I repeated on Saturday, August 18, when I reached a depth of 36 meters (118 feet).
4. The details of the dive: I purposed to relax at the moment that I would hit the thermocline. I planned to say to myself: “don’t fight it, just let it happen”. I don’t know if that helped to stop my thermogenesis (shivering) but all of a sudden I felt comfortable and warm. On my way back up, after being exposed for 60 seconds to water temperatures below 10°C (50°F) I felt a little cramp on my head and on my neck reminding me of the fact that the water was indeed freezing cold, but even that was bearable.
5. Evaluation of this terrific experience: Surprising to me was the experience, that this dive was hurting less than my previous dives at Neufelder See. Paradoxically the 5°C (41°F) water at Attersee “felt” warmer than the 12°C (54°F) water of Neufelder See. On top of that, I felt fresher after this dive compared to a dive to the same depth in a wetsuit, i.e. there was more oxygen left! The only explanation I came up with was the possibility that the colder water at Attersee caused a stronger reflex of the body to adapt to the cold, a reflex strong enough for the hypothermic diving system to kick in. In the hypothermic diving system two main factors prevent the body from entering into thermogenesis (shivering) in spite of hypothermia
a) a huge thermocline
As a result the body saves oxygen.
It almost sounds unbelievable: to enter the 22°C (72°F) water with a core body temperature of 37°C (98°F) is costing me more effort than passing through the thermocline into 5°C (41°F) water, even though the two temperature drops are nearly equal (each one is a drop of approx. 16°C/29°F ).
6. Discovery of negative buoyancy: As a side effect of this experiment I discovered something peculiar about my buoyancy: I am too “heavy” in fresh water without a wetsuit! For most of us, who live in the temperate zone freediving in fresh water without a wetsuit means to encounter almost always water temperatures below 10°C (50°F). Therefore there exists comparatively little information about this subject and it is good to be advised about a potentially negative buoyancy.
In any case, compared to salt water (specific weight: 1,026) I am about 2 Kilos (4,4 pounds) heavier in fresh water, assuming my specific weight as close to 1 (78 Kilos and slender). With my lungs filled I get negative after 4 meters (10-15 feet) when freediving in fresh water without a wetsuit. In this case, according to my diving profiles my descending rate is about 1m/sec, however my ascending rate is only about 0,75m/sec which is a clear indication that I am “too heavy”. If I use my 3mm-Elios without weights my descending rate equals my ascending rate and I am perfectly balanced.
My main purpose was to reach a depth of -50mt just with my diving mask and a pair of fins. Right in the beginning I was awestruck when I least expected it: by the beauty of the Sinai desert. As I was flying into Egypt, even before touching the ground I was overwhelmed by what I saw from the plane.
Within 10km up/down the coast of Dahab there are approx. 20 interesting dive sites of which the last two in the north are by far the most interesting ones (and only 200 mt apart): "Bells" and the "Blue Hole". What makes the Blue Hole so special? I would say it is a place of pilgrimage for freedivers. Not only is it spectacular, but it's coral wall serves as a shelter against the wind and waves from the ocean. It is offering perfect training conditions almost always.
So far my personal best was -45mt done in October 2001 in Croatia and I have been freediving since 1969.
Because of perfect conditions (great buddies from germany, calm sea, good weather, I actually succeeded to -46mt, the next day to -47mt and on the last day to -51.2mt, right above the arch of the blue hole.
Interesting how I did my preparation for the last one: instead of meditating and turning inward, I decided to inspect the blue hole, measuring the visibility. I took my little dive line (has 1 Kilo of led on one end and a plastic-bottle serving as a floating reel on the other end). Each 10 metre-section of this line has another colour. I wrapped a white plastic bag around the weight at the bottom and lowered it down until it got a foothold on a narrow ledge at -27 mt from where the white plastic was still visible! That was part of my preparation before I started my breathe-up! This seemingly silly little ritual magnified my joy over this incredible place. The only thing I was counting on for my record dive: pure joy . Joy must not be underestimated, it provides incredible strength!
Then I went to the big line that my german buddies had put up in the meantime. It went down vertically, right along the inner wall of the blue hole, with the weight dangling in the blue nothingness right in front of the archway that leads to the open sea (starts below -55mt). Another rope, that was anchored to a rock in the shallow corals stabilized our diving rope and kept it from drifting. Then I did my attempt. Instead of looking at the rope on my way up, I chose to look at the coral wall passing by me. That was not only awesome, but it helped me to survive the dive without the help of the rope and still coming up "clean". The Suunto-Computer showed -51.2mt. I still can't believe I went so deep, I thought that would take years to happen. Nevertheless, had I only done rope dives, I would have missed a lot there. I am glad I took the effort and time just to slide down along the walls of the blue hole in a wild and unpredictable course. One of the nicest dives of my entire life was right after my record. I followed my little line (that was parked at 27mt) unassisted (no fins). At the bottom I felt so comfortable that I continued to -30mt looking down to the next ledge somewhere around a depth of 50mt.
One day I was diving with tanks at the lighthouse reef. SCUBA stations are very strict and don't allow people to scuba-dive without a guide. (Maximum depth: 30mt!) Because of my Brevet*** (3 star CMAS) licence I had the liberty to go by myself and take a buddy with me (was very cheap too!). During this dive I saw the greatest grouper ever: length: 1 Meter (depth: 40 metres)
The transport to/from the dive places afforded us breathtaking views into the Sinai desert and also across the Gulf of Aquaba towards the mountains of the arabian desert. The first reflected each sunrise, the latter each sunset in a spectacular, almost indescribeable way, taking on hundreds of different colours during the transition. (probably Ayers Rock in Australia has the same phenomena). I hope some of the pictures that I posted on my homepage give at least a remote idea of what I saw.
Room and board was incredibly cheap: (2 Euros/night for accomodation, 5 Euros/day for food). Dahab is still a place for trampers and hippies, although they slowly prepare it for mass-tourism. Pics from my "hotel" are also posted!
To sum up everything: I went there to pursue a freedive-goal and I returned in total awe of the beauty of creation around the Sinai Peninsular - below as well as above the water!
I would like to express my thanks to Wolle (Wolfram Neugebauer) from Berlin who organized this trip, and also to Christian Günther and Sebastian Petzet, who went right along with him. I would also like to thank Seddon Collier from Vienna, Austria for the great time we had together, SCUBA Diving. For the strangest reasons I didn't have a freedive-buddy in Austria for the last three years, except for my wife - waiting for me at the surface. She is an awesome moral support to me! Herbert Nitsch is very cooperative - however his crazy schedule (flying airplanes) affords him comparatively little time to dive - which makes his achievements even more remarkable. So far we were never free from our jobs at the same time.
Because of various responsibilities my time for freediving is limited to an average of one week in a year. Nevertheless I made substantial progress by applying the mouthfill equalization technique. It works wonderfully and made my trainingsweek worthwhile. It also helped Sebastian to improve his personal record from -34mt to -44mt within a short week.
For those who are interested I have posted a transcript of my record dive from a Suunto D3 to an excel-spreadsheet (first sheet: numbers and second sheet: chart). The dive was done with "normal" Cressi Gara 2000 and a Cressi super occhio mask. It was surprisingly slow, taking 2:04 instead of an expected time of 1:50, a clear indication that I have to work on my finning style.
I would also like to express my thanks to deeperBlue forum , that helps me to maintain a vivid exchange beyond the limitations of my geographical area with folks all over the world that share the same passion with me. I appreciate how people in this forum are willing to make an effort to share their secrets with others. At a recent seminar the definition of a mentor was given to me: someone passing on life's secrets. This is what is happening there! I also appreciate the liberty given to us as forum members. Even if I was not a freediver I would still enjoy it
After last years expedition I had another opportunity to train with a group of committed freedivers: Wolle Neugebauer, Erasmus and Jonas from Berlin and Wolfgang Dafert from Vienna, Austria. Later, Andi and Nina from Bremen would join us. I really would like to express my thanks to everybody in our group, my diving would not have been as successful without them. Here are the details
Accomodation: This time I lived in a little shack on the roof of Alaska Hotel. The wind was blowing thru the holes and sometimes I had to turn over my sleeping bag in the middle of the night. Nevertheless I slept comfortably for only a little more than 1 Euro per night. The Germans stayed in Seven Heaven, the place where Lotta Ericcson is residing at the moment. Lotta was also diving with us for a couple of days.
Transportation: We went to the Blue Hole every day. It is a 30 min ride over rugged terrain. Sometimes the driver wanted to demonstrate his skills to us and except for the front passenger all were violently shaken during the ride. We were splitting up a daily taxi-fare of 60 L.E. between the six of us, that meant only 1.20 Euro/Person at the present exchange rate. (1 Euro was L.E. 8.30)
Weather: it was not as sunny as last year. When the sun was out it was windy. We also had days that were overcast with no wind, the average temperature: air 20°, water 22°
My personal goal: was to reach again 50 mt in Constant Weight. Due to the mouthfill technique I went a little over -51 mt in 2003. I was asking myself, if this was a freak dive that happended coincidentally or if it was possible to do that again. In spite of difficulties, such as a stomach flu and an irritated nerve that caused much pain in my back I was able to reach depths between 49 and 50 mt on a regular basis in the second week of my vacation. Last year a dive of this magnitude would take me more than two minutes. This year I purposed to work on my fin-style and reduced it down to 1:40. I am very happy and content with that, so I don't resent the fact that there was no more time/energy left to improve in unassisted constant ballast, as originally planned.
OUR EQUIPMENT:
This time we were better equipped than ever before:
The owner of the Camel Restaurant at the Blue Hole kept an eye on our free immersion rope. On top of that we could rely on him whenever somebody left a piece of equipment behind. Nothing got lost or stolen!.
LINE DIVING:
We made a lot of valuable experience that is worth sharing. We mutually encouraged each other to disciplined diving. Three of us have had already competition experience and even though not all of us were training for the next competition, we were all zealous to accomplish safe and clean dives. Personally I became aware how easy it is to "unlearn" good diving habits, if things go well for a while and I became sloppy and too familiar. It is easy to get the wrong kind of confidence but I had to abandon it in oder to re-establish a certain respect, almost some kind of humility.
I am still pondering over somebodies remark at Deeper Blue forum: "I'm convinced freediving is totally counter-intuitive. Unlike every other sport I've ever done, the less I try, the better I do". I agree that there seems to be a paradox in depth-hunting. (Like in deer-hunting!). We have to wait patiently for the right moment and then strike. On the other hand we have to be well prepared (ie well trained) to take advantage of this few moments. I discerned when it was time for me to take a break, therefore I was skipping two of my last three days without worrying. Sure enough my last day was an easy and relaxed day with great performances.
I had to remind myself to:
We implemented a new technique at the end of our dives. For the first time Wolfgang and I practiced "hook-breathing". It is taking a deep breath after a long breathhold and bearing down on it for a couple of seconds to speed up the transfer of oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body as well as to force blood up to the head and to keep the O2 moving. Clinics teach it and it really helps to recover faster. It reduces the urge to breathe, diminishes the risk of Samba/BO and keeps the diver from ventilating frantically after the dive. There are more posts about hook-breathing in the Forum of DeepeBlue.net.
Do I really wanna know how deep I am during my dive? On the last day I descended along the Free Immersion-rope for a CW-attempt. The dive was more relaxed, because the rope didn't have any meter-marks. I found it less disturbing not to know how deep I am but rather concentrate on my equalizations.
REEF DIVING (FREE FREEDIVING):
Of course I took the time to enjoy the submarine environment besides deep diving. I did several freedives through bells (only 200m north of Blue Hole), a canyon that terminates into an almost vertical tunnel (chimney) located between -22 and -28 meters. I also did a lot of dives on the outside wall of the Blue Hole. I remember a particular spot with a gorgonia sitting at -34m/110ft. One day I purposed to dive 6 metres below it and to look at it against the light blue background of the surface 40 meters above me- awesome! We also visisted the famous Canyon where we did several freedives to approx. -30 metres while Wolle made some pictures of us.
FREEDIVING - SUMMARY:
Wolle: He exceeded -60m in Constant Weight and -65m in free immersion. Because of his initiative I enjoyed the benefits of a professional training camp for the second time and was able to improve substantially. We had such an amazing time together. Thanks a lot!
Rasmus: He improved his personal best from -38m to -46m to -52m and finally to -57m. They were souvereign and easy performances with the last dive slightly exceeding a dive time of 1:30 (monofin!). Congratulations! Rasmus exhibited great cooperativeness. Very often he would get wet only to secure somebody else. He was a great dive buddy that we could count on and also great fun to be with.
Wolfgang: He succeeded to reach -53m in free immersion and on his last day -50m in Constant weight, two new personal bests. Congratulations to Wolfgang!
Jonas: In spite of having clogged ears and some other illnesses for most of the time, Jonas made amazing progress. He never complained but always took advantage, whenever his ears would let him go further. On my last day He reached -37m in Constant weight without breaking any sweat. I just got an email from Rasmus where he told me about his successful free immersion dive to -45m and his freedive thru the bells. I guess without his laid back, phlegmatic temperament he would never have been so successfull. By the way, he is only 19 Years old. Congratulations to Jonas for two personal records!
Andi: Andi joined us in the second week. Encouraged by our company he succeeded do -37m in Constant weight and dared a freedive thru the bells together with Jonas. Remember that a freedive thru the bells requires a minimum depth of -30m! Congratulations to Andi!
SCUBA DIVING:
Like last year I went for a scuba dive with my buddy Seddon Collier from Vienna, Austria. This year we entered thru bells and proceeded along the outside wall for approx. 200 meters until we finally returned into the Blue Hole via the shallow entry. Sad thing about it: even though both of us were certified and experienced scubadivers (hundreds of dives done thru the decades) we were supervised by a guide who had just one year of experience, including his dive-instructor certificate. He was very apprehensive as he was shoving us along the wall of the reef. We didn't even resent the fact that we were limited to a depth of -30m, but certainly irritated that we couldn't move along such an interesting divesite at our own pace. Nevertheless this was one of the most beautiful scuba-trips I have ever made. To dive thru the arch with scuba tanks remains an unfulfilled dream that we will keep on pursuing next year. By now regulations in Egypt have become so strict that it would be easier to escape Alcatraz state prison rather than diving a site in dahab without a guide. Besides, it is the guide that makes scuba diving expensive. You may have to spend a lot of money to hire somebody that puts You under awkward limitations. There are at least two reasons for these restrictions:
1. too many unexperienced divers die every year
PETS: If You come to Dahab You don't have to take Your pet with You. In almost all of the restaurants a cat or a dog will hop on Your lap. Even though they are not owned by anybody in particular, animals are treated well and are very clean.
HIKING: As some of You already know from my homepage, I am a passionate hiker. Whenever I discerned it was neccessary to take a break from my freedive training I explored the environment and made two major expeditions starting from the Blue Hole.
The first one took me along the coral coast towards the north. The Blue Hole is 10km north of Dahab. From there I continued further north for another 10km, past Ras Abu Gallum, a Bedouin village (5km north of Blue Hole) until I reached a beautiful lagoon. It was a cool and cloudy day, good for running around and taking pictures. Close to Ras Abu Gallum I discovered a beautiful freediving spot: I only had my camera, a water bottle, two oranges, a mask and a snorkel, enough for this moment. I sat on a coral block with the deep blue below me, took a few deep breaths and started an unassisted dive to -25m, right from the edge of the reef.
For the second one I planned to go westward along the southern boundary of Ras Abu National Park until I would eventuall reach the Highway between Eilat and Sharm El Sheik. (Air distance from Blue Hole: 8km). I was able to cross the first mountain range (approx 600mt/2000ft high) but because there wasn't enough time I decided not to cross the second mountain range (approx 900mt/3000ft). However I was partially successful because I returned back to the sea by another way, reaching it somewhere between the Blue Hole and Ras Abu Gallum. Then I followed the coast towards the south for 3km until I arrived at the Blue Hole, completing this awesome and beautiful round trip.
Hiking on the Sinai Peninsular is very difficult, because inland there are no hiking trails, marked paths or direction signs.
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Packing (German: Karpfen)
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Just a brief reminder:
1 bar is equivalent to a pressure caused by a layer of 10 metres of saltwater which is equivalent to a pressure of 1.02 kg/cm².
1 kg/cm² is equivalent to a pressure caused by a layer of 10 metres of freshwater.
For the sake of convenience all units may be rounded and used interchangeably without loosing essential accuracy.
P(DA) = (Total) pressure at a depth of a lake at altitude
P(SL) = Pressure at sea level (always 1)
P(DSL) = (Total) pressure at an equivalent depth at (or below) sea level. (always X)
P0 as ground pressure, this time I choose the average sea level pressure of 1013 mb
r as the specific weight of air (expanded to a pillar of air with a height of 1 km)
g as the gravitational acceleration (weight = mass×gravitation)
h as my (relative) target height above the ground in km's.
rg works best with a value of 0,122.
I want to know the air pressure P at an altitude of 2600mt, so I set the following equation:
Air pressure at 2600 mt is approx. 0,737 atm, O2-partial pressure is approximately ¼ (25%) less than at sea level.
Obviously you cannot store as much oxygen in your lungs at an altitude of 2600mt compared to sea level. Straight proportionally up there you can only store a little less than ¾ (75%) of oxygen in your lungs. You may expect a loss of roughly ¼ (25%) of your performance - in depth as well as in distance. This may also be applicable to static times!
By the way: observing the ratio between CW and Dynamic in a wide range of athlethes the following simple formula is reliable:
[1] 2×CW = D
Example: 50 mt in depth equals 100 mt in dynamic. Under a pressure of 0.737 atm (=2600 mt altitude) the same performance may be reduced by a factor of 0.737: to (approx.) 37 mt in CW and to (approx.) 74 mt in Dynamic, respectively.
2) Pressure increase and associated equalization problems
Consider the formula:
[2] P(A) / P(DA) = P(SL) / P(DSL)
It helps me to calculate how deep I have to dive (X) at sea-level to experience the same (relative) pressure increase compared to a dive at a given altitude A to a given depth D.
P(A) = 0,737 atmospheres (or bar, doesn't matter)
P(DA) = 0,737 + 3 = 3,737 (total pressure in -30mt at 2600mt altitude)
P(A) / P(DA) = P(SL) / P(DSL)
3,737 = 0,737 X
X = (approx) 5,07.
What's left to do is to convert a relative pressure increase into an equivalent pressure increase at sea level:
VD = (X-1)×10 = 4,07 × 10 = 40,7 Metres.
Diving to a depth of -30mt at an altitude of 2600 mt will be equal to a virtual depth of 40,7 metres at sea level.
If you have already been packing at sea level, a potential advantage of packing at altitude would be compensated. You will end up (roughly) with the same disadvantage (less pressure and less oxygen storage).
To obtain the air pressure P at the surface of Millstatt Lake I use the barometric formula:
P(A) = P(SL) × exp(-0,122 × Altitude in km's)
Hence the total absolute pressure at -95 mt (air + water) will be:
P(DA) = 931 + 9310 mbar = 10241 mbar
P(A) / P(DA) = P(SL) / P(DSL)
10241 = 931 X
X = 11
VD= (X-1)×10 = 10 × 10 = 100 Metres virtual depth for an equivalent dive at sea level.
General Formula to calculate relative water pressure increase
Let's assume I manage to equalize at -30mt for the last time efficiently. (being able to pop my eardrums back into a relaxed position).
How much further can I go without damaging my ears?
I know I can go to -3mt from the surface without having too much pain.
Here comes a slight moderation of [2]:
[3] P(SL) / P(DSL) = P(LEQ) / P(PD)
P(SL) = surface pressure at sea level (to keep it simple) = 1 (bar, atm, ...)
P(DSL) = total pressure at -3mt = 1,3
P(LEQ) = total pressure at point of last equalization, for 30mt: 4.
P(PD) = total pressure at potential depth = X
Now we apply [3]: P(SL) / P(DSL) = P(LEQ) / P(PD)
1/1,3 = 4/X
x = 5,2
PD = (X-1) × 10 = 42 Metres
It's amazing how far we can go below the point of our last efficient, good equalization. Thanks to the mouthfill equalization technique this should be only a theoretical problem, providing there are no other hindrances (sinuses, ...)
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Before I am sharing my experience in freediving without a wetsuit I would like to emphasize two principles concerning this subject:
@10 Meters: 10°C (50°F)
@20 Meters: 7°C (45°F)
@30 Meters: 5°C (41°F)
b) the blood turning acidic during the dive.
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Click here to view the graph of my dive
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1. We had a permanent Free-Immersion-15mm rope set up at the Blue Hole right in front of the Arch.
2. We had Wolles' rope for Constant weight
3. We had a tank filled with pure oxygen to counteract saturation from multiple deep dives. We placed it in a little raft close to our diving line.
4. We all had Suunto D3 depth gauges or something equivalent.
5. We had a laptop to evaluate profiles of dives between training sessions.
1. stay close to the line towards the end of the dive. (last 15 meters of ascent)
2. hold on to the rope after surfacing - say nothing and do nothing, just breathe until full recovery.
2. The government is overprotective regarding it's submarine environment. Understandable if tourists break off corals carelessly.
The depths below were achieved in the ocean (saltwater) using only a diving mask and a pair of fins.
All depths have been measured by line and since 1974 also with mechanical depth gauges.
Both measurements were always in agreement. It is worth mentioning that I have not been using diving
suits in the ocean until 1998, when I went below -40mt for the first time. The last two dives have been
measured and recorded with a Suunto D3.
Depth(m)
Date
Place (Island), Country
Details
6
July 1969
Umag (Istria), Croatia
Didn't know any equalization, alone
9,75
25.07.1971
Trstenik (Pjeljesac), Croatia
Didn't know any equalization, alone
14
07.08.1972
Mali Losinj (Losinj), Croatia
Finally I knew how to equalize, alone
14,7
09.08.1972
Mali Losinj (Losinj), Croatia
alone
16,8
10.08.1972
Mali Losinj (Losinj), Croatia
alone
18
12.08.1972
Mali Losinj (Losinj), Croatia
alone
19
24.07.1973
Dubovica (Hvar), Croatia
alone
21
07.07.1974
Harbour (Hvar), Croatia
alone - started to use mechanical depth gauges
25
12.07.1974
Dubovica (Hvar), Croatia
secured by some snorklers
27,5
15.07.1974
Dubovica (Hvar), Croatia
secured by some snorklers
28
28.07.1976
Palmizana (Hvar), Croatia
alone
31
29.07.1976
Dubovica (Hvar), Croatia
alone
33
05.08.1976
Zarace (Hvar), Croatia
alone
35
24.07.1977
Dubovica (Hvar), Croatia
secured by Robert Knotz as SCUBA diver
36
13.09.1981
San Torini, Greece
secured by a snorkler
37
14.09.1981
San Torini, Greece
secured by a snorkler
38
09.09.1994
Agios Roumeli (Crete), Greece
secured by Peter Ramsebner
40
10.09.1994
Chora Sphakion (Crete), Greece
secured by Peter Ramsebner
41
14.06.1998
Capo Figheri (Sardinia), Italy
secured by members of team Austria, first time that I used a wet suit (3mm)
43
14.06.1998
Capo Figheri (Sardinia), Italy
secured by Umberto Pellizzari
42
22.06.1998
S. Theresa Gallura (Sardinia), Italy
at the 2.World Championship official Austrian national record!
new style: I am leaving the snorkel on the surface while diving
44
29.09.2001
Sveti Marina (Istrien), Croatia
started with advanced equalization using the
the mouthfill equalization technique
secured by Ales Seliskar and by Luka Pengov
45
27.10.2001
Sveti Marina (Istrien), Croatia
secured by Oskar Assmann
46
10.01.2003
Blue Hole, Dahab, Egypt
secured by Wolle Neugebauer
47,8
10.01.2003
Blue Hole, Dahab, Egypt
secured by Wolle Neugebauer using his SUUNTO D3
51,2
11.01.2003
Blue Hole, Dahab, Egypt
secured by Wolle Neugebauer using his SUUNTO D3, thanks!
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