Part 7/9:
The Mental Aspect
A significant insight shares how these divers train the mind to accept and work with the body's natural responses instead of fighting them. The process involves calming the nervous system, avoiding panic, and staying relaxed despite physiological signals demanding air. This mental discipline is crucial for reaching such extreme durations.
Handling the Urge to Breathe and Blackouts
During underwater breath-hold training, a common occurrence is involuntary contractions that signal the need to breathe. These contractions become more intense as a diver approaches their limit. Jurogan explains that with training, these sensations become manageable, and the diver learns to ignore them temporarily, maintaining relaxation instead of reacting with panic.