Freediving Classes Fundamental to Safe Diving
Free diving is an underwater sport that is fast growing in popularity. Free diving enthusiasts recommend this ‘no frills’ sport for its unique potential for interacting with the earth’s oceans in the most natural way possible.
Unlike other diving sports, free diving avoids the use of any kind of artificial breathing aids, relying solely on the diver’s innate discipline and lung capacity. For this very reason, it is essential that beginners take freediving classes with a certified free diving instructor to avoid potentially dangerous conditions such as a freediving blackout.
The term freediving blackout or shallow water blackout refers to a particular type of loss of consciousness usually caused by inadequate supply of oxygen to the brain (a condition called ‘cerebral hypoxia’) towards the end of a breath-hold dive in water typically shallower than 16 feet (5m).
Free diving blackouts are dangerous not only because they can be fatal unless dealt with promptly (victims can end up drowning while unconscious), but also because there is often little warning before the condition hits. Many victims report that they felt no urgent need to breathe and several are fit, strong swimmers who were experiencing such a condition for the first time.
However, free diving is perfectly safe provided one follows certain basic safety precautions such as investing in proper training under an experienced instructor and always following a ‘buddy’ system (diving with a experienced partner who ‘spots’ the diver from the surface).
Common training techniques involve both land and water-based training. For example, aerobic exercises and pursuits such as bicycling work to increase a free diver’s depth potential and as well as the overall time spent underwater. Deep breathing and breath-holding exercises are other popular training techniques that work to increase a diver’s lung capacity.
To conclude, free diving is in any way more dangerous than other underwater pursuits such as scuba diving or snorkeling. All sports have their own rewards and dangers and the wise sportsperson knows how to extract the maximum pleasure without endangering himself. Investing in some good quality freediving classes can maximize both your safety as well as your overall enjoyment and expertise levels.
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