It takes time to recover from static apnea.
The training is about increasing your carbon dioxide tolerance, that you can tolerate the carbon dioxide that is formed in the body when you hold your breath and to get your body used to low oxygen levels.
- We build this up for several years and then we train four times a week, says Valdemar Karlsson who has been in the late 80's.
Rami Bladlav started a few years ago.
"Different stages"
Static apnea is a discipline in freediving where you, without swimming any distance, keep your breath underwater for as long as possible.
The Nordic record before today's competition was 9 minutes and 8 seconds and was held by Rami Bladlav, Valdemar Karlsson is not so far behind with 9.02 seconds.
- There are different stages.
The first part, five minutes, is just relaxation, then it comes hard when the body wants to breathe.
Then you talk to yourself.
I usually have four, five different thoughts or visualizations with me and you drive as long as you can, says Rami Bladlav.
See the competition in the clip above.