20 Rules for Freediving – Part 1

20 Rules for Freediving – Part 1

Freediving is an Exhilarating Sport

Freediving Rule # 1

The number one rule in freediving is to never dive alone. It is of great importance to be monitored by your partner at all times. Selecting an experienced partner is equally important as he/she must be fully capable of rescuing the diver from the required depth of at least 15 meters. A good partner also has to be trained in rescue situations needing CPR and administration of oxygen. For dives greater than 30 meters, a stand-by scuba set is a definite requirement.

Freediving Rule # 2

The second rule in freediving is to never free dive after a scuba dive. Huge amounts of Nitrogen remain in your tissues after a scuba activity causing decompression sickness as micro-bubbles are recompressed even more during the diver’s rapid ascent. Always wait for 12 hours before engaging in a freediving activity.

There are many factors to take into account before you freedive

Freediving Rule # 3

A complete dive plan and estimate of sea conditions is another requirement in before going on a free dive. Every diver should have a specific line assignment and should be fully aware of the other divers’ specific roles. Sea conditions of the dive site are of great importance for safety measures. Factors such as swell, water temperature, visibility and current are determining factors on how to properly execute the dive. For instance, a freedive on a lake translates to poor visibility hence the need for additional safety procedures. A strong current, on the other hand, may send the diver further away from the dive line. The distance of the dive line from the shore and surface traffic should also be calculated as well for emergency situations.

Freediving Rule # 4

Another no-no in freediving is riding the flexibility of your eardrum. Never ever force an equalisation at depths greater that 3 meters and during ascent. The best thing to do on a failed equalisation is to abort the dive immediately. Do not gamble on the flexibility of your eardrum because you will certainly regret its consequences.

Freediving Rule # 5

Achieving the correct weight on your freedive is a must. Unnecessary expenditure of effort during ascent is caused by being over weighted. Equalisation problems can also happen during descent. This is why winter diving can be very dangerous. It is important to freedive at a neutral buoyancy at 15 meters.

Freediving Rule # 6

Knowing how to properly use your snorkel is another rule in freediving. Remove the snorkel from your mouth at depth in order to avoid inhalation of water. Also, if a diver has been close to his maximum, returning to the surface blast clearing without removing the snorkel from your mouth can possibly lead to SWB.

Related posts:

1. Learn to Scuba Dive If you're reading this right now, then you're probably one...
2. Maldives Cabinet Ministers Prepare for Underwater Meeting Members of the Maldives Government are currently taking scuba diving...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.