Wow, what a day. Today was fairly close to a perfect day for the men’s heats. Sun was up, slight breeze, around 15-20m viz. We could not ask for better conditions. There was also a good crowd turnout today which was great to see.
Everything was going really well before I got in the water, with only Christian Moller having a blackout and everyone else making their dives. Lots of white cards and national record after record being broken. Things were looking good.
From my perspective everything was going well. I only had mild nerves, and felt pretty relaxed. Jana was my coach for today, as she has been my coach before and I felt pretty comfortable with her yelling at me in her Canadian Accent.
almost everything went to plan today too, I got in the water 3 mins out, filled goggles 2 mins out, everything was just as it was in training. Entry felt great. I knew I was in for a good dive. Equalized all the way down until I saw the plate and then dropped the last couple of meters, grabbed that tag, then headed up. I felt a little stressed on the way up, but nothing outside of anything else I had felt before. I really thought I was in great shape. I recall seeing the safety diver, and passing him, I looked up, then stroked, then looked up again, and the next thing I remember was being next to the platform, looking out toward all the spectators and saying “ohhh F&^$!!!!!”. Game Over. Shame really. I since overlaid my dive graphs from the other 72m dive I did in training, and they are identical as can be. In the training dive, I made the plate 3 seconds earlier, but surfaced at exactly the same time.
I don’t know why I went out today. I have tried to figure it out, but the only thing I can spot on the graph is that I did maybe 3 – 5 more strokes than the previous dive. I think it can be chalked up to stress, lack of experience and an over ambitious nature. All good things to remember for next time.
Regardless of todays result, I am ecstatic with how things have gone for me over here. I have put a massive amount of depth into my CNF, something I have not wanted to compete in before. Not only that, I actually have enjoyed the CNF. This kid will be back for more!
If you are reading this, you will more than likely know all the top 6 made it though, so despite the result, I would not have made the finals, but I am so proud of myself, I came here with no expectations of making any finals, yet, I managed to give myself a realistic shot at tactually making the finals. That really is massive and I could not be happier. Comp results be damned. I got to compete against the best of them and also became a real free diver with my first true blackout. Learning is the key and I have learned so much.
In leaving, I was out on the deck with Johan this evening, drinking red wine and watching the sunset. defiantly one to share, so please enjoy the pictures below.
Sunset
DIVE GRAPH !!
Comp Dive Vrs Training Dive to same depth
Mr Consistency huh?
Terribly sorry for your BO. Wished you better. But in the same time I am glad to see you in a positive mood!
Good luck for CWT!
Ivo
So sorry to hear about the blackout.
But you have made an enormous progress, and I love reading about it in your blog
I came to think about the depth, 72m it’s actually a really long way down.
Enjoy the rest of your stay
Too bad for you BO mate, but big congrats on your overall improvement and your attitude .
You rock !!!
p.s. If you are looking for reasons why you blacked out, do not forget things like dehydration.
The one and only time i blacked out was also on CNF and caused by beeing dehydrated from sitting too long fully suited up in the hot sun waiting for my dive. In the bahamas that can be a tricky sneaky bastard. While I was at Deamns (having my previous blackout in mind) i made sure I drank like a madman , even on the platform. No problem since and dive 20 meters deeper now.
Apart from dehydration, like you mentioned the added stress and posture is very O2 consuming.
Never, Never look up, not on the way down, but certainly not on the way up, NEVER!
… well only in shallow recreation dives…
Disadvantages of looking up:
- Blocking your neck artery, hampering blood flow to your brain!
- Putting your neck and body into stress mode, head down is the relax mode.
- Loosing streamline, momentum.
I hope this is helpful.
May your next dive be a glorious victory!
Oh and you’re great guy, writing even after at moment of loss!
Hey Kerian, great that you are in good mood. I agree with Kars. I think you speed up on the way up, and look that you were wanting to get to surface quickly. That’s learning, and remember that your PB, 7 months ago was -51 meters, and you add MORE than 20 to that number!!! That alone is simply AMAZING!. You did great Mate
Hey Kerian,
Sorry to hear about the BO, but you’re mood and learning curve doesn’t seem to be affected in any way. Respect for your depth improvement and positive spirit!
Good luck on the next dive!