Great video - and interesting take on the benefit to the muscles involved in taking deeper breaths. But to be clear, the safe answer to this question is a resounding NO. The breathwork component of the WHM rapidly expels CO2 from your system via hyperventilation. This goes against what you want to train for in freediving: connecting to the physiological need to breathe and learning how to tolerate elevated levels of CO2. This is developed over time and practise - not via hyperventilation.
Great video - all of us instructors have received this question countless times. I would like to correct one small thing you said here - as someone who has swam 40 minutes in 4.5C water in a bathing suit (an "ice mile") and also a Freediving Instructor to say "with better blood flow to the extremeties, you can also endure cold better" after hyperventilation is the same thing as saying "you can hold your breath better after hyperventilation". It may FEEL more comfortable in the beginning but as an ice swimmer I can tell you that we do not want to hyperventilate prior to a cold water swim for obvious reasons - many of which you explained so well in this video. As you hyperventilate you may feel as if you can hold your breath longer and you may feel as if you can withstand cold water longer but it simply isn't true. The proper breathing prior to a cold swim or even an ice swim (less than 5C) is the same relaxed breathing we teach in freediving. I don't believe the Wim Hoff method has a place in cold water at all - not for freediving and not for swimming.
Thanks Roberta, I actually never explored this side of the story. But it makes total sense what you say, especially as you are an ice swimmer yourself!
Whim Hof seems to overdo it when he teaches his method, he also says 'fill your chest', he seems to force the breathing and I'm nor surprised if some people feel lightheaded after one session. That seems to be the main problem. So yes, you might call that 'induced hyperventilation'. Hyperventilation however is usually a symptom or anxiety, running out of breath or running out of oxygen in general (e.g. high altitude). It also raises your heartbeat. I've heard free divers saying that they do deep natural unforced diaphragmatic breathing as you do in yoga, before diving not just as a training session. I think if you know what you're doing. it better activates the parasympathetic system (rest and digest) and delivers al little more oxygen to the bloodstream (if done correctly you'll never reach the point you mentioned when too much oxygen can 'starve' your brain). With a natural deep breathing technique just before you dive you can delay your diaphragmatic contractions and dive for a longer time. I've done it myself many times, only in swimming pools though. I've also discussed it with a free diver instructor. E.g. swimming 25 meters underwater and coming out without the need of breathing faster and my heartrate going from about 60 to 70. I wouldn't recommend Whim Hof though, it's too aggressive a technique and it might be dangerous if what you're doing is hyperventilating rather than relaxing your body and giving it a bit more oxygen. I know that the majority of free divers work on their CO2 tolerance, however I don't see anything wrong with a proper mild breathing technique that makes you start your diving experience very relaxed with a bit more oxygen in the bloodstream.
The exact statement (at the end of your exposure) is never do Wim Hof breathing technique just before any kind of immersion underwear (static breath hold, Dynamic free diving, or going down underwater). WIM Hof METHOD only on land, seating position or laying down.
Thanks for posting this video Oli. It also explains why scuba divers use the air from their tank much faster when they are diving in Cold water than when they dive in tropical water. An elevated breathing pattern is indeed the natural and instinctive response to cold water exposure. The Wimhoff method transforms that instinctive ventilating response into a more conscious and extreme hyperventilation.
You are spot on. However, I would say that using up a tank quicker in colder water is an indicator that the diver was in fact cold and needs better equipment.
@@OliChristenDrew In my experience, there is no wetsuit that will make someone feel warm in 13 degrees water. A good one makes it bearable, but it still feels like going to wintersports. :)
Great video - and interesting take on the benefit to the muscles involved in taking deeper breaths.
But to be clear, the safe answer to this question is a resounding NO.
The breathwork component of the WHM rapidly expels CO2 from your system via hyperventilation. This goes against what you want to train for in freediving: connecting to the physiological need to breathe and learning how to tolerate elevated levels of CO2. This is developed over time and practise - not via hyperventilation.
Thanks! I needed this answer.
Great video - all of us instructors have received this question countless times. I would like to correct one small thing you said here - as someone who has swam 40 minutes in 4.5C water in a bathing suit (an "ice mile") and also a Freediving Instructor to say "with better blood flow to the extremeties, you can also endure cold better" after hyperventilation is the same thing as saying "you can hold your breath better after hyperventilation". It may FEEL more comfortable in the beginning but as an ice swimmer I can tell you that we do not want to hyperventilate prior to a cold water swim for obvious reasons - many of which you explained so well in this video. As you hyperventilate you may feel as if you can hold your breath longer and you may feel as if you can withstand cold water longer but it simply isn't true. The proper breathing prior to a cold swim or even an ice swim (less than 5C) is the same relaxed breathing we teach in freediving. I don't believe the Wim Hoff method has a place in cold water at all - not for freediving and not for swimming.
Thanks Roberta, I actually never explored this side of the story. But it makes total sense what you say, especially as you are an ice swimmer yourself!
Thanks for the technical details Oli !
Thankyou very much sir
Spot on! Excellent description. We want to feel our contractions and use the urge professionally.
Love your videos. Thank you.
You are so welcome!
Thank you for this video! Much needed discussion indeed!
Yes in deed I think so, too.
Wim Hof states that he is NOT using the wim Hof breathing method when he goes diving,
Great video bye the way, thank you!
Amazing video, Oli. Thank you!
Glad you liked it!
Whim Hof seems to overdo it when he teaches his method, he also says 'fill your chest', he seems to force the breathing and I'm nor surprised if some people feel lightheaded after one session. That seems to be the main problem. So yes, you might call that 'induced hyperventilation'.
Hyperventilation however is usually a symptom or anxiety, running out of breath or running out of oxygen in general (e.g. high altitude). It also raises your heartbeat.
I've heard free divers saying that they do deep natural unforced diaphragmatic breathing as you do in yoga, before diving not just as a training session. I think if you know what you're doing. it better activates the parasympathetic system (rest and digest) and delivers al little more oxygen to the bloodstream (if done correctly you'll never reach the point you mentioned when too much oxygen can 'starve' your brain).
With a natural deep breathing technique just before you dive you can delay your diaphragmatic contractions and dive for a longer time. I've done it myself many times, only in swimming pools though. I've also discussed it with a free diver instructor. E.g. swimming 25 meters underwater and coming out without the need of breathing faster and my heartrate going from about 60 to 70.
I wouldn't recommend Whim Hof though, it's too aggressive a technique and it might be dangerous if what you're doing is hyperventilating rather than relaxing your body and giving it a bit more oxygen. I know that the majority of free divers work on their CO2 tolerance, however I don't see anything wrong with a proper mild breathing technique that makes you start your diving experience very relaxed with a bit more oxygen in the bloodstream.
The exact statement (at the end of your exposure) is never do Wim Hof breathing technique just before any kind of immersion underwear (static breath hold, Dynamic free diving, or going down underwater). WIM Hof METHOD only on land, seating position or laying down.
These are amazing!
Indeed... something that I was wondering about recently here with my friends in Manila.
Cheers!
Very cool and informative video!😉 really like the swissgerman accent😁
I cultivate it dearly ;)
Thanks for posting this video Oli.
It also explains why scuba divers use the air from their tank much faster when they are diving in Cold water than when they dive in tropical water. An elevated breathing pattern is indeed the natural and instinctive response to cold water exposure. The Wimhoff method transforms that instinctive ventilating response into a more conscious and extreme hyperventilation.
You are spot on. However, I would say that using up a tank quicker in colder water is an indicator that the diver was in fact cold and needs better equipment.
@@OliChristenDrew In my experience, there is no wetsuit that will make someone feel warm in 13 degrees water. A good one makes it bearable, but it still feels like going to wintersports. :)
@@buceoApulmon Oh ok, 13C is difficult, in deed :) I thought more of the odd day when the water is a few C colder than expected.