How the Body Adapts to CO₂ in Freediving
In freediving, the main challenge is not the lack of oxygen — it is the build-up of carbon dioxide (CO₂).
CO₂ is what creates the strong urge to breathe, the discomfort, and eventually panic in untrained people.
With proper training, however, the body learns to tolerate much higher CO₂ levels while staying calm and in control.
Freediving in Tenerife: Everything you need to know for your next Dive Trip
Tenerife gives you stable conditions almost every month of the year.
• Winter (Jan–Mar): 18–19°C
• Spring (Apr–Jun): 20–22°C
• Summer–Fall (Jul–Oct): 23–25°C
• Nov–Dec: 21–22°C
The water stays clear, the jetty is protected from swell and wind, and access to depth is straightforward.
Mind Control and Apnea 1/3
Our bodies and minds are remarkable machinery, enabling us to accomplish intricate tasks in a perpetually changing environment—sending rockets into space, exploring the intricacies of atoms. However, even the seemingly straightforward act of relaxation on land or in water often proves challenging due to the relentless activity of our minds.
Mind Control and Apnea 2/3
As freedivers, we consider ourselves explorers, yet the paths we tread have been charted for millennia by others, each using diverse techniques. While all these routes hold validity, Yoga serves as a comprehensive guide, encompassing and synthesizing these techniques in a holistic manner.
Mind Control and Apnea 3/3
Body and mind reaction to freediving
The reaction of the body to deep dives, and breath hold is well documented and referred to as the Mammalian dive reflex . Other effects are directly linked to the pressure increase such as, discomfort on the chest and diaphragm, in the airways .
