An air mask should be low volume. When freediving, you will need to equalize which involves exhaling through your nose to balance the pressure. With a low volume mask, you don’t not have to exhale very much to equalize; this means you use less oxygen. [2] X Research source Air masks should be made of tempered glass so they withstand the water pressure without breaking, and they should fit securely to your face. To test the fit, hold a mask to your face then breathe in gently through your nose. If the mask remains on your face after a few seconds, it is a good fit. [3] X Research source Snorkels should be easy to remove and comfortable to wear. For convenience sake, look for a snorkel that will attach to your mask.
Most beginners should start with bi-fins. These resemble scuba diving fins but are longer. Most beginners choose soft or medium-soft blades. Make sure they fit securely and are comfortable, as you will wear them throughout the entire dive. [4] X Research source A monofin is a single fin that you place both feet in, like a mermaid tail. They are more effective than bi-fins, but much harder to master. [5] X Research source
Not all freedivers use weights or lanyards, but they are useful pieces of equipment, especially for beginners. If you are diving with a class or group, a line or buoy will most likely be provided. If you are diving in cooler temperatures, an exposure suit and gloves will be necessary.
Freediving incorrectly can lead to ear, sinus, and lung damage as well as decompression sickness, blacking out, and even drowning. Major freediving organizations like AIDA International, CMAS, or SSI Freediving have lists of certified instructors that teach students all over the world. Use these sites to find a class in your area.
The flutter kick is the most basic kick. It is the kick used in the freestyle stroke; both legs are kept parallel, and they flutter up and down. Keep your legs straight and your toes pointed as you kick. A frog kick is when the legs are bent at the knees and extended outward and then brought together. The dolphin kick is perhaps the most difficult of the three. It is the kick used in the butterfly stroke. The legs are kept together and move up and down. As they move up, the knees bend,and then straighten as the legs move down. It is called a dolphin kick as it imitates the way dolphins move through the water.
Begin on your stomach, with the buoy by your hips. Put both arms in front of you and dive forward. Bend at your hips to create a right angle and keep your legs straight; imagine you are trying to touch the bottom of a pool. Raise both legs out of the water, and make your body straight again. This creates the momentum to propel you under water. As soon as you raise your legs, bring both arms to the side of your body in a scooping, breast-stroke movement. You should be completely under water at this point, and you can begin finning to continue your descent. [8] X Research source
Equalize often and don’t wait until your ears hurt to start. Failing to equalize can cause serious injuries. [10] X Research source
The instructor will oversee and troubleshoot your first dives. That way they can ensure you have the correct equipment and are using the correct techniques. Instructors are also trained to intervene and assist if a problem arises.
Often when breathing up, divers lay on their backs in the water. The process is simple: inhale through the mouth, pause, and then slowly exhale through the mouth. The exhalation should be longer than the inhalation-this will decrease the heart rate. You should breathe up in the last two minutes before you begin the dive. The purpose of breathing up is to relax your body. Relaxation is key to successful freediving. If you do begin to panic, focus on slowly returning to the surface and then start your recovery breathing to prevent hyperventilation.
You can, and should, practice taking this final breath on land. The more you practice, the more natural it will seem when you are actually diving. Start by holding your breath for a relatively short period of time, say 20 seconds. Then gradually increase the duration. Most people will not be able to hold their breath for a minute or more without a great deal of practice and conditioning. You should only take 1-2 deep breaths before you dive. If you take more than 2 deep breaths, you may begin to hyperventilate.
Hold on to something (your buddy, the pool wall, the buoy etc. ). Breathe in deeply, hold your breath for a moment, then slowly relax and let the air exhale. Repeat this process at least three times until you feel completely recovered. Do not attempt another dive for at least three minutes.
Static apnea is useful to increase your breath holding ability as well as your overall stamina. The simplicity of static apnea makes it appealing for beginners. However, holding your breath for an extended period of time can be dangerous so make sure you have a buddy as you practice.
Dynamic apnea is also great for freedivers who have trouble equalizing. Since you stay at a constant, shallow depth, the pressure is not an issue. Instead of focusing on how deep you dive, your intent is on the horizontal distance you swim. [14] X Research source
FIM also allows beginners to experience the sensation of freediving in a more controlled manner. However, FIM is not just for beginners. It can be used in the open-water, and divers can descend fairly deep while using the rope. Since you are pulling yourself along a rope, you use more energy in FIM that other disciplines. You may not be able to go as deep with FIM as you would with other techniques.
For divers who have trouble descending, this is an ideal way to practice. Make sure you have a quick-release weight belt so that you can easily remove it if you need to drop the weights and surface quickly.
Recently, constant weight diving without the use of fins has become more popular. Do not try this until you have experience freediving with fins. The fins help you move through the water and diving without them makes both the descent and ascent more difficult.
NLT should never be attempted by novice divers. In fact, many advanced divers choose not to practice NLT.
