Share this on
Being new in the marvelous world of freediving can be overwhelming. As the sport is taking off worldwide, it can be difficult to know which guidelines to follow. In this post, freediving instructor Diana Garcia Benito will show you the necessary equipment for your first steps as a freediver. Do not worry, it is much simpler than you think.
"At the very beginning, the most important thing is choosing the mask that you are comfortable with. The first feature you need to search for freediving is for a low volume mask and not a rigid skirt (which is the surrounding part of the mask). Why low volume and what does it mean? Low volume means that the air space inside the mask will be the minimum possible. As you know, in freediving we go down the column of the water and ambient pressure is affecting any air space, the volume of the air will behave according to the pressure, getting smaller as you go deeper with the increase in pressure; apart from your ears, you will need to equalize the air space of the mask too in order to avoid any injury, therefore it is very important to have the less air space inside the mask to equalize it with the minimum air possible.
A flexible skirt will give you a better fit for your face and it will adapt to the changes of pressure. The majority of the masks in the diving world are scuba diving masks, which are very big and rigid, nowadays there is no problem finding a freediving mask at any sports shop. Another important detail to take into consideration is the clearance of the lens. For safety reasons, to be able to see the eyes of the diver, the lenses have to be transparent and clear. You can find flat or round curved lenses that will make the view more real or distorted, accordingly, and this is merely the diver's preference.
Regarding the snorkel, the simpler the better. We use the snorkel to be able to breathe at the surface facing down and to check from the surface the diving buddy. Without complications, purge valves, or any other element; the snorkel has to be plain, not too short, not too long. Some freedivers will use the snorkel attached to the mask, others simply loose. Find your own way by experimenting with various scenarios, and choose what will be more comfortable for you".
"As you probably have seen, the long freediving fins, which not only look great, are an essential tool in the sport. Everything in freediving has to be efficient and propulsion is key for moving in the water. The long blades will give you a superior force to push the water due to their extended surface.
The stiffness of the blade is significant in freediving. Plastic, fiberglass, or carbon fiber are the most popular materials. Plastic can be cheaper and good enough in the early stages but a bit hard to fin with, because plastic fins are not so flexible, making the finning a little tougher. Fiberglass has a range of stiffness to choose from, also they are more delicate and more expensive. The ultimate material and extremely efficient is the carbon fiber fins, the range for the various flexibilities of the blade, durability, and quality, although they are also more delicate and the price is a bit higher but the relationship between quality, price, and durability is the best on the market and the one preferred by athletes.
As the sport is growing and innovations are blooming, short carbon fins are the new favorite! Depending on the type of performance, activity, or movement you want, the short fins are undoubtedly powerful and versatile. The fins have to be an extension of your foot, the foot pocket has to be as a glove for your feet. No boots or straps are needed, the best is a closed and flexible foot pocket, with or without neoprene socks. As you kick, your foot must not move inside the foot pocket, otherwise, you are losing power and consequently wasting precious energy while you are finning".
"Depending on the water temperature of the freediving location, a thicker or thinner wetsuit will be needed. The wetsuit thickness can range from 0.5 mm up to 10 mm. Even if the water temperature is high, it is always recommended to use a protective layer for your skin from the sun and jellyfish. The use of a hoodie can help to keep warmer for a longer time. The characteristics to look for in a wetsuit are flexibility, softness, comfortability, being able to resist high pressure, salt and ultraviolet rays, this is why a scuba wetsuit is not ideal for freediving. The material is as well important for the selection of the wetsuit, for freediving the main goal is to keep you warm. Different materials and ranges of prices are available, from neoprene, elastic nylon, open-cell up to a combination of several layers.
Neoprene: from the family of synthetic rubbers, protects from cold and resistant but is quite porous and not so flexible.
Elastic nylon: a silk-like thermoplastic, that makes a smooth, soft, and lightweight fabric of high resilience, ideal for wetsuits.
Open-cell: when neoprene is not lined on the inside of the wetsuit with other material, like nylon, polyester, etc. when it’s worn against the skin, the little air bubbles from the neoprene. that are cut, creates a suction effect on the skin creating a watertight seal to keep the diver much warmer.
The wetsuits can be manufactured in different shapes, colors, layers, etc adapting to your necessities. For starters, you can choose a more simple and resistant version that can be enough that neoprene and elastic nylon and lycra will do. Two-piece wetsuits are more common than one-piece but what is important is the flexibility, insulation, and feeling comfortable wearing the wetsuit. Nowadays companies make tailor-made wetsuits for a better fit, it increases the price of the wetsuit but it is suggested as you grow in the sport".
"Considering that the use of a wetsuit will increase your positive buoyancy, some extra weight is required to be able to safely go up and down underwater. The weight belt has to be elastic, like silicone or rubber to keep the tightness and place as the wetsuit is compressed as a consequence of the pressure changes. It’s worn on the hips and tight, keeping the belly free to breathe more comfortably. The weights are made out of led, preferably small weights from 0,5 kg up to 2 kg, well-spaced and balanced positioned on the weight belt. If you are freediving in a swimming pool it is advised to use rubber-covered weights in case they fall so they won't break the swimming pool tiles. It is very important to make a correct buoyancy test before every session. Follow your instructor’s guidelines and learn how to do the buoyancy test procedure for your future freediving sessions".
"A lanyard is composed of a cord or rope, a clip mechanism that allows it to be easily attached to and detached from the dive line, a strap that will be attached to the freediver, and a quick-release mechanism between the strap and cord that allows the diver to release the lanyard if it becomes entangled. The purpose of the lanyard is not only to keep the diver attached to the main dive line as a guide but more importantly, in case of emergency, the diver can be pulled up with the line to the surface. The use of a lanyard is mandatory on dives deeper than 10-15m and when the visibility of the water is very poor regardless of the depth the diver will go".