Part 6/9:
He explains that during training, divers learn to manage involuntary contractions — the natural urge to breathe that comes with high carbon dioxide levels. The key is to learn how to breathe through these contractions without panicking, which allows for progressively longer breath holds.
How Free Divers Achieve Longer Breath Holds
Jurogan touches on how elite free divers manage to hold their breath for seven, eight, or even ten minutes. Their training includes not only physical practice but also profound mental control. Their techniques involve meditation, controlled breathing, and managing contractions of the diaphragm. Thinkers and trainers teach divers to push through the discomfort and remain relaxed during contractions, gradually increasing their static breath-hold capacity.