Scuba Diving or Free Diving Cert first?

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I was thinking free diving because it seems like the equipment would be cheaper to purchase starting out and then i could later use that equipment when I was getting scuba certified later on.
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The most expensive part of your basic equipment will be your fins and it's not likely you'll be able to use the same ones for both unless you intend to limit your diving activities to boat dives in tropical water.
The reason being that for free diving you are almost certainly going to opt for full foot fins and quite likely the long and narrow ones designed for bursts of speed.
Once you start diving you are likely to want to move to boots and open heel fins that are medium length and slightly wider. The issues being power rather than speed and maneuverability rather than straight line speed.
 
I am wanting to try both scuba diving and free diving. I'm not sure which one to get certified in first, though. I was thinking free diving because it seems like the equipment would be cheaper to purchase starting out and then i could later use that equipment when I was getting scuba certified later on. At the same time, I have a few friends who WILL go scuba diving, but won't go free diving.
The research I have done shows that freediving cert will cost about the same as scuba cert. Any recommendations? And which do you prefer freediving or scuba diving?


'freediving cert' ???......what is that??, snorkeling @ depth??.......IMO, get SCUBA certified & the other will come naturally ----I bet.......
 
I've been enjoying free diving most of my life, and looong before I became scuba certified (and I still do), but I never had any training or certification in it. And while I survived, it probably would have been smart to at least have a mentor or even a buddy (when I started), as most of mine were solo, which is not the smartest thing, but then again I don't claim to be smart. But as mentioned above it is important to know your capabilities or limitations; when you're ___ feet down on a coral wall and stay 10 seconds longer than you should, this kinda becomes important.
 
Many SCUBA divers are freedivers during Abalone season. The gear used for SCUBA can be used for freediving. Example of gear used:

SCUBA
7mm Farmer John Wetsuit.
5-7mm heavy sole booties for hiking cliffs Sonoma and Mendocino.
5mm gloves.
Open Heel fins.
Weight Belt.
Semidry snorkel and low volume mask.

Freedive
7mm Farmer John Open Cell Wetsuit - very comfortable, but will not last as long as a SCUBA wetsuit.
4-5mm socks/booties - will not last as long as SCUBA booties.
5mm gloves.
Full foot pocket fins - comfortable will not last as long as open heel fins.
Rubber Weight Belt - comfortable will not last as long as webbing weight belt.
Semidry snorkel and low volume mask.

Note: A few freedivers drown each year along our Sonoma and Mendocino coast. While many are certified as SCUBA divers, they may have not been as competent in freediving our shores. Most were found with their weight belts still on.
 
Would it be appropriate to wear a wetsuit in the waters of NorCal? Wouldn't it be better to go with a dry suit because of the cold? Again, I'm just learning as I go. Thank you all so much for your advice so far. I don't plan on freediving solo because I have heard too many stories about people blacking out and dying. I want someone there to get my back if I need it. Plus I think it would be more fun to go with someone anyway.
 
Shallow water blackouts is probably not the reason for the drownings along Sonoma and Mendocino coast. So black outs in general are not a worry for Sonoma and Mendocino normal freedive depths. I am no expert on this. You can post in Snorkeling/freediving section Ask Performance Freedive for an expert answer.

One of my buddies freedives in his dry suit. He is soaked with sweat when we get back to shore. It may be too hot and uncomfortable to freedive in a dry suit. Comfort when freediving may equate to better bottom times and state of mind.
 
Note: A few freedivers drown each year along our Sonoma and Mendocino coast. While many are certified as SCUBA divers, they may have not been as competent in freediving our shores. Most were found with their weight belts still on.

Highly experienced freedivers drown along the North Coast. If you are not an experienced swimmer I would recommend getting experience with scuba gear first and learn how to untangle yourself from kelp while you have a tank strapped on your back. Then venture into freediving, once you better understand the conditions here.

A good freedive training class would be worth every penny they charge.
 
Would it be appropriate to wear a wetsuit in the waters of NorCal? Wouldn't it be better to go with a dry suit because of the cold? Again, I'm just learning as I go. Thank you all so much for your advice so far. I don't plan on freediving solo because I have heard too many stories about people blacking out and dying. I want someone there to get my back if I need it. Plus I think it would be more fun to go with someone anyway.

While many consider NorCal to be "drysuit country," there are lots of us who dive wet. It's not exactly ice diving around here, but it can be "bracing." A good quality 7 mm wetsuit, though, should serve you well.

(That said, lot of us wet divers are saving up for the drysuit of our dreams.)
 
Yes, sadly the past couple of years have seen experienced divers drown. Some due to entanglement, currents, surf, rocks, and many due to health issues such as heart problems. If the deaths are looked at, it mainly looks like health issues or diving beyond ones capabilities.

As some prior posts have said. It is better to become proficient in freediving before SCUBA. The freedive class will train in a swimming pool first then advance to Monterey Bay which is more protected.

I am going to Sonoma Saturday. PM if interest to see what is going on. The drive and the hiking is beautiful.
 
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FWIW Naui requires freediving as part of their open water class.

While many consider NorCal to be "drysuit country," there are lots of us who dive wet. It's not exactly ice diving around here, but it can be "bracing." A good quality 7 mm wetsuit, though, should serve you well.

(That said, lot of us wet divers are saving up for the drysuit of our dreams.)

Fisheater my friend :) Not everyone has enough insulation to keep themselves warm.
 

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