How to Free Dive

Freediving gives you an opportunity to enjoy the undersea world without the burdens of scuba tanks or a Snuba line. During your freedive, you'll move with less effort and enjoy the envelopment of total underwater freedom. A beginner skill level can be reached in as little as a few weeks.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Mask
• Snorkel
• Freediving fins
• Wetsuit or skinsuit

1. Practice lowering your heart rate by taking long deep breaths. Relax your muscles and think of positive things. Release any negative thoughts or fears. Work on these techniques for lowering your heart rate in the days and weeks leading up to your dive. A lower than normal heart rate allows you to hold your breath longer, since your body will use oxygen more efficiently.
2. Double check all of your gear to make sure everything is in good condition.
3. Float on the water's surface and lower your heart rate. Facing down, curl into the fetal position and relax. You're working on achieving the comfortable, relaxed mindset necessary for an enjoyable freedive.
4. Dive from the surface. A proper freedive includes bending at the waist and raising one leg in the air. The more vertical your body and leg, the smoother and more energy efficient your entry will be.
5. Swim through the water using short alternating or flutter leg kicks. Your fins work best with small rapid fin kicks. Kicks with both legs, or dolphin kicks, are good for short bursts of speed.
6. Equalize the water pressure in your ears by blowing with your nose sealed. Moving your jaw up and down and swallowing will help open the air passages to your ears. Repeat this step often, especially when diving to deeper depths.
7. Return to the surface using similar kicks to the ones you used when entering the dive. Exhale through the snorkel as you reach the surface and take a deep breath.

Tips & Warnings

• Practicing your breathing and diving techniques before your dive date. This will allow you to spend more time enjoying your dive.
• Free dive instructors and classes give you the opportunity to learn and become comfortable with the dive techniques. They will also help you in choosing the proper gear.
• Dive depth should be only increased gradually and in conjunction with increased ability to hold your breath and relax. Do not dive deeper than your ability. If unsure of your ability, stay close to the surface.
• Always dive with a buddy, who can help keep an eye out for trouble or be there if you black out.