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Freediving USA
United States Freediving Team - APNEA USA is a non-profit organization established in 1998 to further the sport of Freediving in the USA and to establish training standards for the sport. Their mission is to promote the sport of freediving through safe and responsible activities and events with an emphasis on education and program development. more...
The Women of Freediving
Tanya Streeter is the latest freediving sensation. In just 18 months she has sent world records tumbling and is now set to take on the chaps who dominate the sport. More...
 Tanya Streeter World Record Holder
On October 21, 1996 Mehgan Heaney-Grier established the first ever United States freedive record for both men and women when she plunged to 155 feet deep on a single breath of air. Less than one year later at the age of only 19 she went on to break her record by ten feet diving to 165 feet. More...
Mehgan Heaney-Grier
On June 6, 1998, Audrey Mestre Ferreras set the new Female Freediving World Record, reaching a depth of 115 meters (378 feet) in a tandem dive with her husband and world famous freediver Pipin Ferreras.
Audrey Ferreras
Her major achievement was obtained on May 13th, 2000. Off the coast of La Palma Island in Canary Islands, Spain, Audrey broke the Female World Record in Freediving, No Limits Category. She reached a depth of 412.5 feet
(125 meters) in 2 minutes, 3 seconds. With this dive she became the Female World Champion as well as the 5th deepest person in the world. more... |
EXPLORE » Caves :: Commercial :: Freediving :: Tech :: Wreck :: Women :: Children :: Snorkeling :: Solo
 There
is nothing like the feeling of diving into the deep without the constrictions
of a tank on your back and regulator in your mouth. And you can sneak
up on fish without the bubbles! This sport has gained a lot in popularity
in the last few years.
How to be a Freediver
Most people have been freediving without instruction for years. The
International Association of Nitrox and Technical Divers (IANTD) has
now introduced a whole range of freediving courses to choose from to
increase the particular skills this sport involves. All the courses
will be taught at IANTD facilities only and range from one to three
days in duration.
The course will teach comfort and breath holding abilities, create and
understanding of the history, physics, physiology and psychological
factors involved in freediving. In-water training sessions in constant
ballast techniques are part of the curriculum. This program will also
increase the diver's safety through breathing procedures and emergency
procedures.
There are four courses to choose from:
Snorkel/Skin Diver (surface to 15ft/5m)
Open Water Freediver (max. 33ft/10m)
Advanced Freediver (max. 66ft/20m)
Master Freediver Course (max. 99ft/30m)
Instructor and Instructor Trainer programs for the above are also available.
Get more information from IANTD
(The International Association of Nitrox and Technical Divers).
Freediving Speak
Apnea
The term used to describe breath holding.
Constant-weight-apnea
On only one breath of air, freedivers attempt to reach their maximum
depth. They must be weighted perfectly so that they are able to sink
but are not too have to fin back up. Freedivers cannot use the line
to which the tag is attached to assist them.
No-limits apnea
The freediver descends with the aid of a ballast-filled sled that runs
down a line. At the required depth, the diver stops and inflates a lifting
bag that assists in the ascent.
Currently medical experts are predicting that death will follow if freedivers
push the limits any further. This is perhaps the most controversial
form of freediving, and is not recognized by any official sporting bodies.
The record is held by Pipin
Ferreras.
The samba
As the body goes into blackout, the arms and legs convulse, giving the
appearance that the diver is dancing the samba.
Dynamic apnea
Involves swimming horizontally as far as the freediver can on one breath
of air. Monofins are a popular means of propulsion, as opposed to normal
fins.
Mammalian diving reflex
This phenomenon is common among diving mammals (dolphins, seals, etc.).
Human retain this reflex, which causes the heartbeat to slow down when
the face is immersed in water.
Shallow water blackout (SWB)
Caused by a dramatic reduction in the partial pressure of oxygen during
an ascent, leading to hypoxia. As a result, the freediver experiences
unconsciousness. There are no indicators to predict the onset of SWB.
Spotter
For safety reasons, freedivers never train alone. Their buddy is referred
to as a spotter and will step in to assist if there is any sign of a
problem. The spotter is trained in the necessary first aid techniques.
Static apnea
Takes place in a swimming pool, with freedivers lying in a position
in which it is impossible to breathe, and remaining in this position
until they need to breath. Towards the end of their attempt, they must
indicate to a spotter that they are OK by responding to physical signals.
Yoga, meditation, hypnosi...
Many freedivers use these techniques to slow their heartbeat and breathing
rate. Many practice visualization techniques to empower themselves with
the belief that they can achieve their target. World-record diver Pipin
Ferreras visualizes that he is being injected into the ocean's depths
by a syringe.
Desert
Divers (Dahab, Red Sea)
Associations & Information
IAFD
(International Association of Free Divers)
Freediver.com
Redefine Your Limits
Freediver Magazine UK
Free Diving USA
Free Dive Hawaii
Diving Canada
Pippin Ferreras
Free Diving Manual, Tanya Streeter
Freedive! Terry Maas
Free Diving: With Mask, Snorkel, and Fins, John Black Lee
Free Dive Videos
Snorkeling and Free Diving, Jim Flagg, Tom Scott
EXPLORE » Caves :: Commercial :: Freediving :: Tech :: Wreck :: Women :: Children :: Snorkeling :: Solo
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