I love freediving. But I almost blacked out and drowned once when I was doing it alone, hours hike away from anyone. Sure enough, I was using hyperventilation, which I didn't know back then was a big mistake.

When I think back about it, it's crazy how close I was to death. Learned my lesson that day. As she says in the article, don't do it alone.

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djtango 2 hours ago | parent [-]

How did you know you almost blacked out? I'm most terrified of the stories that you can fade without knowing

	▲	gregschlom an hour ago \| parent [-]
		I made it back to the surface and started feeling that familiar dizziness / light headed sensation. Not sure how to explain. Similar to when you stand up too quickly sometimes and feel like you're going to pass out. I started swimming towards shore, pulled myself on the rocks there and rested. It felt weirdly wonderful. Warm rocks heating up my body, and a great sensation of calm. Only after a few minutes did I understand the gravity of what had just happened.