To understand the mammalian dive reflex let's go back to the womb and the first nine
months of life. During this time we are suspended in a liquid world and this memory
remains engrained in our genetics, awaiting the immersion in water to reawaken these
reflexes that stay with us. These involuntary reflexes
are apparent in newborns who naturally know how to
swim, hold their breath, and have automatic
physiological adaptions to conserve oxygen when
placed in water shortly after birth.
As a freediver the more you are aware of this reflex,
understand how it works and how you can benefit from
it, the better your underwater experience can be.
Although the dive reflex happens automatically it still
takes time to have effect, especially for the novice
diver who has left this part of their genetics untapped
since birth. The good news is that with practice this
reflex can be strengthened and the time necessary for it to take effect can be shortened.
The dive reflex begins as soon as the face is submerged in water and grows stronger
with the amount of time you are submerged and with the increasing pressure associated
with depth. Effects of the dive reflex include a reduced heart rate, an increase in blood
pressure and a general relaxation of all muscles. These are all survival mechanism of the
mammalian dive reflex which are a result of steadily building Co2 levels and decreasing
oxygen levels. These efforts are all aimed at conservation of oxygen. They are the body's
natural defense to protect the vital organs (mostly the brain) in the event of a life
threatening situation. These self defense mechanisms can be used to the advantage of the
freediver by understanding what is happening and by going with the flow, allowing the
body to do what comes naturally. Signals that alert the diver that the body has registered
the mammalian dive reflex and has began it's automatic self defense system is through
signals to the brain to breath. As the desire to breath increases so does the urge of the
lungs to continue to breath against our forced breath hold. Holding these muscles
motionless for an extended period along with a building urge to breath creates “spasms”
or contractions of the diaphragm. These contractions are the muscle of the diaphragm
trying to pull down in order to take a breath against the mind telling the body to hold the
breath. Being aware of these signals and understanding how our body is reacting to them
To understand the mammalian dive reflex let's go back to the womb and the first nine
months of life. During this time we are suspended in a liquid world and this memory
remains engrained in our genetics, awaiting the immersion in water to reawaken these
reflexes that stay with us. These involuntary reflexes
are apparent in newborns who naturally know how to
swim, hold their breath, and have automatic
physiological adaptions to conserve oxygen when
placed in water shortly after birth.
As a freediver the more you are aware of this reflex,
understand how it works and how you can benefit from
it, the better your underwater experience can be.
Although the dive reflex happens automatically it still
takes time to have effect, especially for the novice
diver who has left this part of their genetics untapped
since birth. The good news is that with practice this
reflex can be strengthened and the time necessary for it to take effect can be shortened.
The dive reflex begins as soon as the face is submerged in water and grows stronger
with the amount of time you are submerged and with the increasing pressure associated
with depth. Effects of the dive reflex include a reduced heart rate, an increase in blood
pressure and a general relaxation of all muscles. These are all survival mechanism of the
mammalian dive reflex which are a result of steadily building Co2 levels and decreasing
oxygen levels. These efforts are all aimed at conservation of oxygen. They are the body's
natural defense to protect the vital organs (mostly the brain) in the event of a life
threatening situation. These self defense mechanisms can be used to the advantage of the
freediver by understanding what is happening and by going with the flow, allowing the
body to do what comes naturally. Signals that alert the diver that the body has registered
the mammalian dive reflex and has began it's automatic self defense system is through
signals to the brain to breath. As the desire to breath increases so does the urge of the
lungs to continue to breath against our forced breath hold. Holding these muscles
motionless for an extended period along with a building urge to breath creates “spasms”
or contractions of the diaphragm. These contractions are the muscle of the diaphragm
trying to pull down in order to take a breath against the mind telling the body to hold the
breath. Being aware of these signals and understanding how our body is reacting to them
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