I'm considering learning freediving because I think it would improve my in-water comfort on SCUBA and because I can't always drag a bunch of equipment with me around the world. There are risks to every sport, and SCUBA is certainly not as safe as sitting at home wrapped up in pillows, but on SCUBA if you are careful about gas management, use the buddy system, carry appropriate signaling devices, and so forth the risk is quite low.
Is it possible to bring freediving to the same level of risk? That is to say, if you only ever freedive with a buddy using the one-up-one-down system, don't hyperventilate, and so forth, is it possible to bring freediving to the same level of risk as recreational-level SCUBA dives? Or is SWB always a risk no matter how careful you are? And are there other risks other than SWB? DCS doesn't seem to much affect non-competitive freedivers, but what else can cause trouble?
Thanks!
As with any adventurous sport, freediving carries with it inherent risks which can be greatly minimized with Proper Education. SWB or Latent Hypoxia is obviously the main concern, this situation when handled by a properly trained buddy can simply mean an end to that days diving (and a good nights sleep ahead). However, when handled incorrectly by an inexperienced diver can lead to inspiration of water into the lungs thus landing you in hospital in the best case scenario...and, is deadly if the diver is alone.
Every single diver is susceptible to BO, not matter how highly trained, experienced, or avidly safe. Simple situations can influence your physiology and expose you to greater risk of it (dehydration, not enough sleep, stress from work, etc, etc). The simple rule of "1 buddy up, 1 buddy down, watching your diver for 30 seconds before starting your own dive, and never diving alone" is followed even by the best freedivers on every single dive, no matter what.
DCS is a risk to freedivers. Freedivers are more likely to get Type 2 DCS which is obviously more dangerous. Freedivers follow safe diving practices allowing for sufficient surface intervals between dives. This is trained during all reputable freediving courses and it applies to all divers, not only those who dive deep.
There is a long list of other risks, from sinus squeeze and lung edema to vertigo. These must be taken seriously and can be handled properly or even avoided through arming yourself with education.
Anyhow, Yes Freediving can be a safe sport when Proper Freediving Practices are followed. Anyone interested in taking up freediving should complete a minimum of a
Basic Freediving Safety Course. These are not expensive, nor time consuming (1 day) - but they will save a life.
Sharing my personal experience, I have Blacked Out 3 times. All of these experiences, where actually enjoyable as I came to within seconds in the arms of my safety diver. I would never ever dive alone, not even to 3 feet and my personal best is 206 feet Without Fins
Freediving is a skill based sport, Proper Freediving Education will not only arm you with the important knowledge in Safety and Problem Management, but it will also have you comfortably diving to at least 50-66 feet in a Level 1 course (2 days) quickly eliminating any "Humps".
Niki Roderick, Freediving Instructors International.
FII (Freediving Instructors International)
niki@freedivinginstructors.com
