Freediving has gained a lot of popularity over the years with many people opting to try it out. However, there’s a lot of skill and technique that a diver has to have. As such, training is needed for beginners. Along with training, there are several things you need to have with you.
To paint a clearer picture for you so that you are prepared and know what to expect when you start training, here a 3 freediving must-haves:
1. A Snorkel
A snorkel is a device that allows you to breathe properly in a relaxed manner with your face in water while freediving. The simplest way to decide which snorkel is suitable for you is to check how comfortable it feels when you fit it in your mouth. It should also have medium rigidity, meaning that it’s not too rigid, neither is it too flexible. It should be a blend of both.
Keep in mind that you’ll have the snorkel in your mouth for a long period of time, more so if you have dedicated a whole day to freediving. Having a snorkel that scratches your mouth will result in cuts and an irritating feeling and this will kill all the fun and thrill of freediving. The key to getting a perfect snorkel is check for simplicity and comfort.
2. Freediving Fins
Freediving isn’t complete without a pair of fins. The main feature that these fins are known for is their long blade. They are also fitted with a full foot pocket that’s made of smooth material and have a high level of flexibility compared to other regular diving fins. This flexibility allows them to fit comfortably on your feet as you kick in the water.
Freediving fins have 3 different types of blades which are fiberglass, carbon fiber, and plastic. Fiberglass and carbon fiber are recommended for more skilled divers who go for deeper dives. They are more expensive compared to the plastic ones.
They are very fragile and will require that you have some fining skills to properly use them. Start with the plastic ones if you are a beginner then proceed to purchase the carbon fiber ones once you’ve perfected your skill.
3. A Freediving Mask
A freediving mask is a must-have when going for a dive as it enables you to have good vision underwater. When your eyes get into direct contact with water, your vision becomes blurry. This mask forms an airspace between your eyes and the water, thus enabling your eyes to focus and see properly underwater. There are 3 important things to look for in a mask.
The first is comfort. The mask must fit well on your face. When you hold it gently on your face and inhale air and no air leaks into it, then the mask is a perfect comfortable fit. The second is the tempered glass. Your mask lenses experience a lot of pressure when you’re freediving and they may end up breaking. It is recommended that you go for a mask with a ‘T’ mark. This mark guarantees that it won’t shatter under pressure.
The third is air volume. When you dive, you do it on a single breath and as you move deeper in the water, the mask will require equalization by you breathing out. But as you do so, there is less oxygen supply for your body. A remedy to this is low volume masks which require less air to equalize.
We’ve done a review of masks that are a must-have for divers. You will learn everything that you need to know about freediving equipment by reading the review.
Featured image: Marco Assmann/Unsplash
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