Free Fall Training in Advanced Freediving: Mastering the Effortless Descent
As a freediver, moving beyond the beginner stages means embracing new techniques and understanding the subtle physics of the underwater world. One of the most captivating and efficient aspects of advanced freediving is free fall training. This isn't just a technique; it's a profound shift in how you interact with depth, transforming your descent from an effortful act into an effortless glide.
From Buoyancy to Negative Buoyancy
Beginner freediving often involves staying above or just slightly below the point of neutral buoyancy (NB). At this stage, you're either positively buoyant (floating) or close to it, meaning you still need to actively fin or pull to go down.
However, as you dive considerably deeper than your neutral buoyancy point, a fascinating change occurs. The air in your lungs, along with the tiny gas bubbles within your wetsuit's neoprene, will compress further due to increasing pressure. This compression reduces your overall volume and, consequently, the upward buoyant force acting on you.
The balance shifts:
Weight > Buoyant force
Gradually, you become negatively buoyant, and you'll feel a gentle, yet undeniable, pull towards the depths. This is the moment when you truly begin to "free fall."
The Mechanics of the Effortless Descent
The transition into free fall is a graceful dance with gravity. On your initial descent, you'll use your fins or pull along the dive line to build momentum.
As you approach and pass your neutral buoyancy depth, you'll notice that the effort required to maintain your speed dramatically decreases. A few more gentle kicks or pulls are often all it takes to push you
effortlessly past the neutral buoyancy point. Soon, you'll find yourself maintaining the same speed without any further propulsion.
The free fall has begun, taking you smoothly and silently towards your target depth.
Streamlining and Relaxation: The Keys to a Perfect Free Fall
Free falling is essentially a combination of a static breath-hold and perfect streamlining and equalization. To maximize efficiency and conserve energy, you'll want to maintain a maximally streamlined, vertical body posture, with your head aligned with your body axis. This position minimizes water resistance, allowing you to glide downward with minimal physical effort. Your focus during this phase should be on complete relaxation.
It's common for a free fall to feel incredibly slow, as if the dive line in front of your eyes isn't moving. This is where patience and confidence become paramount. The free fall is an ideal moment to resume your relaxation exercises, allowing your heart rate to slow and your mind to calm. Simultaneously, maintain a keen focus on your equalization technique. Consistent, gentle equalization is crucial for comfort and safety as you descend.
Crucially, keep your head in line with your body axis throughout the free fall. Looking down, even slightly, will tilt your head, which not only creates significant water resistance but also subtly changes your body posture into a "banana shape." This seemingly minor adjustment will gradually pull your body away from the perfectly vertical dive line, causing you to turn into a horizontal position. Eventually, you might even end up in a
"parachute jump" position with your belly pointing down. Just as a parachute jumper slows their fall through the air by assuming this position, it will also significantly slow down or even stop your free fall in the water.
Mastering the free fall is a hallmark of an advanced freediver. It not only conserves precious oxygen and energy but also offers a uniquely serene and meditative experience as you effortlessly glide into the blue. With practice, patience, and a keen awareness of your body's position, you'll unlock the true potential of your deep dives.