Free Diving...aka Skin Diving!

[Islandtrader]

This thread is to find out a little more about diving with out tanks.

Connor I know you are a free diver...are there any more of you around?

My few questions are what is the average depth you normally dive at, and how long can you stay down?

Did you have any specific way of training yourself (lung capacity)? I am certified scuba, but my personal MO is scuba is just to much stuff to haul around. So diving fell off my radar. Looking for another way to use the 21?

Any thoughts or books or articles that anyone can recommend.

Thanks,

[cdavisdb]

Could not agree more on "too much stuff to haul around". Its a big reason why people free dive. Do much freedivng and you discover that the experience is different, much more focused on the "whole" experience, including the going up and down and what is going on inside you. Its just different.

The website : www.deeperblue.com is the goto place for all things free diving. More info than anyone can absorb.

There are lots of free divers around, mostly younger and, around here, all pure spear fishermen. I like to shoot dinner, but would rather sightsee after that. Tiny is a freediver, good one too.


Average depth really depends on where I'm diving. I'm real comfortable, long dives and short recoveries, in 30 feet. Most of my spearfishing is 40 ft, don't like to spear with a sling(no line on the spear) in much over 50. Sightseeing can be down to 100, but dive time at depth gets pretty short. Sightseeing 70-80 ft is roughly normal in clear water.

Dive time: with a long recovery time and great conditions, average 1:50. That drops fast when you add current, waves, bad vis, etc.


Training: go diving with someone who knows how. Diving is the best training. Apnea walking and dry tables (look 'em up on DB) are good ways to introduce you to what its like to ignore the urge to breath. Long bottom times are primarily about getting comfortable and relaxing. There is lots of technique involved in the fine points and good gear helps, but you can get 7o percent of what is reasonably possible with relaxation and a cheap pair of long fins. Think 1 minute dives in 40 ft of water. If you decide you really like it and start doing it enough to acquire just a little bit of skill, take a course. Good ones are expensive, but best $ I ever spent.

Oh yeah, dive with a buddy. That gets very important to your life expectancy after you start getting good at this stuff.

[Beaver]

Check out spearboard.com, buy a good freedive mask/ snorkel and fins then go often. Any cardio will help your breath hold.

I dove off my 18 seacraft from 7:30 am till 4 pm yesterday. Not a single tank change. I can't wait to go again. I.e. you're heading the right direction!

[Beaver]

Also check out Terry Maas Blue Water Hunting and any book by Carlos Eyles.

Good luck and don't push it.

[shine]

I love it, although I have not done much in the last 8 months or so. Last spring I took the Fii course and really enjoyed it. Its mainly safety and I highly recommend it. Im 39 and not in great shape (at all), and I could reach the 20meter/70 foot mark pretty easy during the class.

In practice, with a speargun, I can comfortably hunt in 40', and that's really all Im looking for.

take the course so you can be safe

[cdavisdb]

Island trader: there is a nice spot close to you, the old phosphate dock at the end of Boca Grande. Go at high slack tide for best vis and other conditions. Careful of the current, it changes fast. Lots of very big fish under there and you can get dinner if you like and are not too picky, most of the time.

[Islandtrader]

Thanks everyone...now I am motivated!

[kmoose]

Terry, your built perfectly for freediving and should do well at it with a little practice. What size fins do you wear? I have lots of spare long fins in 12-13 if that works for you. I also have scads of freedive masks laying around as well. Let me know and I will send them to you or bring them to the next gathering.... They are just taking up space and would appreciate getting wet again.

If you get interested in a gun I have piles of them too but I would start out just sightseeing at first. Spearfishing tends to add too much excitement and cuts down on your dive time. As Conner said, keeping calm and relaxing makes all the difference in the world in becoming a competent freediver. Also heed the warning on diving with a another person. Shallow water blackout is claiming more divers than decompression sickness so don't be working on breath holds in the water without a partner.

[Islandtrader]

Originally Posted by kmoose

Terry, your built perfectly for freediving and should do well at it with a little practice. What size fins do you wear? I have lots of spare long fins in 12-13 if that works for you. I also have scads of freedive masks laying around as well. Let me know and I will send them to you or bring them to the next gathering.... They are just taking up space and would appreciate getting wet again.

If you get interested in a gun I have piles of them too but I would start out just sightseeing at first. Spearfishing tends to add too much excitement and cuts down on your dive time. As Conner said, keeping calm and relaxing makes all the difference in the world in becoming a competent freediver. Also heed the warning on diving with a another person. Shallow water blackout is claiming more divers than decompression sickness so don't be working on breath holds in the water without a partner.

Thanks Ken, I will take you up on your offer...I 'll trade you a custom made to your specs...Cornhole game. I will be in touch.

[Blue_Heron]

Originally Posted by kmoose

Also heed the warning on diving with a another person. Shallow water blackout is claiming more divers than decompression sickness so don't be working on breath holds in the water without a partner.

What Ken said. Shallow water blackout claims freedivers fairly frequently in Florida waters. If you understand what it is, and follow the common sense safety measures, it won't get you. We'd like to keep you around a while yet, Terry.
Dave