Freediving,
What Kind of sport is it?
Freediving, also known as breath-hold diving, it is one of the water activity where individuals dive underwater without the use of breathing apparatus
such as scuba tanks. Instead, freedivers rely on holding their breath while exploring underwater environments.
Freediving has been practiced for centuries for various purposes, including fishing, gathering resources, and exploration ...
Freedivers train to hold their breath for extended periods, with techniques to increase breath-holding capacity and improve overall respiratory efficiency.
Freedivers also train on pressure equalization, which is controlling the pressure in the ears and sinuses while the Freediver descends. This is critical to prevent barotrauma and depth discomfort.
also the safety is a critical aspect of freediving. Buddies or safety divers are commonly employed to monitor the freediver, ensuring a safe descent and ascent. Specific safety protocols are followed to prevent blackout and other potential risks.
Freediving includes various disciplines, each with its own set of rules and challenges. Some common disciplines include:
- Static Apnea: Holding the breath while floating on the surface.
- Dynamic Apnea: Swimming horizontally underwater on a single breath.
- Constant Weight: Descending and ascending with the help of fins, but without changing buoyancy (no pulling on a rope or sled).
- Free Immersion: Descending and ascending using a vertical rope without fins.
Red Sea Freedive, what can I see there?
Freediving in the Red Sea can offer a breathtaking and diverse underwater experience. The Red Sea, known for its clear blue waters and vibrant coral reefs, is home to a rich marine ecosystem...
The Red Sea is famous for its stunning coral reefs, featuring a variety of hard and soft corals.
The reefs are home to a plethora of marine life and contribute to the vibrant colors of the underwater world.
The Red Sea also boasts a wide array of marine species. You may encounter colorful reef fish, including angelfish,
butterflyfish, parrotfish, and clownfish. Larger marine life such as barracudas, groupers, and snappers are also common,
invertebrates such as sea anemones, sea stars, and various species of crabs and shrimps. The Red Sea is also known for its nudibranchs,
which are colorful sea slugs. While deeper dives may be required, the Red Sea is home to pelagic species such as sharks,
including reef sharks and hammerhead sharks. Dolphins and rays are also spotted in the area, caves and overhangs where marine life may seek shelter.
These areas can be particularly interesting for experienced freedivers. also the Red Sea has several underwater wrecks, offering a unique diving experience.
Some notable wrecks include the SS Thistlegorm, a World War II shipwreck, the Salem Express, and Cedar Pride.
* It's important to note that while freediving, always prioritize safety. Be aware of your depth and dive within your limits, and consider diving with a buddy or under the supervision of a trained professional, especially when exploring deeper or more challenging underwater environments.
How does freediving affect the human body?
Free diving has many physiological effects on the human body, especially as a result of holding the breath for long periods, including...
1- Oxygen Deprivation (Hypoxia):
One of the primary physiological challenges of freediving is the reduction in oxygen levels as a diver holds their breath.
As oxygen is consumed, and carbon dioxide levels rise, the body undergoes a state of hypoxia. The body's response to hypoxia includes increased heart rate, blood pressure,
and a shift in blood flow to vital organs to preserve oxygen.
2- Increased Carbon Dioxide (Hypercapnia):
As a person holds their breath, carbon dioxide levels in the body increase. This leads to a sensation of air hunger, triggering the urge to breathe.
The body's tolerance to elevated carbon dioxide levels varies among individuals and can be trained through specific breath-holding exercises.
3- Blood Shift:
During freediving, a phenomenon known as the blood shift occurs. As a diver descends, blood is shifted from peripheral blood vessels to the chest cavity,
allowing the lungs to collapse without causing barotrauma. This helps conserve oxygen and facilitates greater depths during freediving.
4- Bradycardia (Slowed Heart Rate):
Freediving is associated with a diving reflex, which includes bradycardia—a significant reduction in heart rate. This reflex helps conserve oxygen by minimizing the workload on the heart.
The diving reflex is more pronounced in cold water and varies among individuals.
5- Peripheral Vasoconstriction:
In response to immersion in cold water, the body undergoes peripheral vasoconstriction, where blood vessels in the extremities constrict to preserve heat and redirect blood flow to vital organs.
6- Spleen Contraction:
Freediving can stimulate the spleen to contract, releasing stored red blood cells into circulation. This process, known as splenic contraction,
temporarily increases the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, aiding in breath-holding.
7- Barotrauma and Equalization:
Changes in pressure during freediving can lead to barotrauma, where pressure imbalances cause ear and sinus discomfort.
Equalization techniques are essential to balance pressure and prevent injuries, especially during descent.
8- Nitrogen Narcosis:
While not as pronounced as in scuba diving, nitrogen narcosis can occur during freediving at significant depths.
This condition is characterized by an altered mental state, similar to the effects of alcohol intoxication,
due to the narcotic effects of nitrogen under pressure.
* It's crucial for freedivers to undergo proper training to develop breath-holding skills, understand safety protocols, and mitigate potential risks.
Freediving, when practiced responsibly, can offer unique experiences and benefits, but it should be approached with awareness of its effects on the body and the importance of safety measures.
Freediving Courses
Freediving courses are structured training programs designed to teach individuals the necessary skills, techniques, and safety measures for engaging in freediving—a form of underwater diving that relies on breath-holding rather than the use of breathing apparatus such as scuba gear.
These courses are conducted by certified instructors and are available at various levels to cater to different skill levels and objectives...
Key components of freediving courses typically include:
1- Breath-Holding Techniques:
Instruction on how to optimize breathing patterns and enhance breath-holding capabilities.
2- Equalization:
Techniques to equalize pressure in the ears and sinuses as one descends underwater. Equalization is crucial for avoiding barotrauma.
3- Safety Protocols:
Emphasis on safety measures, rescue techniques, and understanding the physiological effects of breath-holding and diving.
4- Dive Planning:
Understanding how to plan dives, set depth goals, and manage time underwater to ensure safe ascent and descent.
5- Underwater Skills:
Practical training in finning techniques, body positioning, and other skills necessary for efficient and controlled movement underwater.
6- Theory and Physiology:
Instruction on the physiological aspects of freediving, including how the body responds to breath-holding and underwater pressure.
7- Equipment Familiarization:
Introduction to the basic freediving equipment, such as masks, snorkels, fins, and wetsuits, as well as safety gear.
8- Certification:
Successful completion of a freediving course often results in a certification from a recognized agency, indicating the diver's competence at a specific level (e.g., beginner, intermediate, advanced).
Types of freediving
There are several types of freediving, each with its own specific focus and disciplines.
first: Static Apnea and In this type, the diver holds their breath while floating on the surface of the water without any movement, the goal is to achieve the longest breath-hold possible. It tests the diver's ability to control their breath and mental state...
second: Dynamic Apnea, it's the diver covers a horizontal distance underwater without fins or with the use of fins, the goal is to cover the greatest distance possible on a single breath. Dynamic apnea can be performed in a pool or open water.
third: Constant Weight (CWT), and in this type, the diver descends and ascends using fins or a monofin. with same amount of weight during descending and ascending, the goal is to reach the greatest depth possible on a single breath
fourth: Free Immersion (FIM), Free immersion involves the diver pulling themselves down and back to the surface along a vertical line without the use of fins. The diver is allowed to use the line for pulling and equalization, the goal is to achieve the greatest depth also.
fiveth: Variable weight freediving, involves the use of a weighted sled for the descent and allowed to use of any means to ascend, this often includes specialized devices such as sleds or submarines for the descent and inflatable lifts for the ascent.and this is called (No-Limits freediving),
The goal is to reach the greatest depth, and the diver can benefit from the assistance of the weighted sled during the descent.
