Freediving

Helen · January 31st, 2006, 11:01 PM

Not DIR at all but just thought i would let you guys know, i have started freediving to stop myself from going slowly insane through lack of diving.

So off we trotted to St Abbs (Southern Scotland) in our semi-dry's and hopped into the sea for a couple of hours. First off, i found that i wanted to frog kick in the huge freediving fins - it dont work! Secondly, that a 5mm semi is actually quite warm. Thirdly that i need lots of lead!

I managed to get to 10m a few times, but then overcooked a dive by staying too long and finning too hard on the way back up - i passed out at 2m and was out cold for about 10 seconds. Oops. I guess this is why we dive in twos at least! Soon recovered from that and sorted my technique so it didnt happen at all. Also had a play with a monofin, which was interesting to say the least!

I know its a pale imitation of scuba but hopefully this will mean my OC SAC will drop....but then i guess it means i wont be breathing at all since last year it was around 8

If anyone fancies it, i have some software which you can use to train in breath hold techniques. I can do around 2 mins on normal work up and 3 mins on hyperventilating (only for use for static apnea or dry stuff), improving between 5 and 10 seconds each day i use it (but this rate of improvement will slow soon).

A couple of pics for you.

Helen · February 1st, 2006, 01:05 PM

For everyone who has asked about the freediving software, you can download it here

Marks Blog

Tricky · February 1st, 2006, 01:28 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Helen)

...I know its a pale imitation of scuba...

I get the impression that more than a few freedivers see it differently

Andrew Bryson · February 1st, 2006, 11:21 PM

Interesting Helen, thanks for the write up.

I've always enjoyed messing around with breath hold diving when on holiday, and wouldn't mind giving it a shot over here.

I'll need to come along to St Abbs one day and watch from the comfort of scuba

andy

Helen · February 2nd, 2006, 10:43 AM

We actually saw some scuba divers while we were out, very strange it was too. I think we gave them a bit of a shock!

Mad thing was, Mark got face to face with a cormorant which was diving for its lunch. Normally you get a fleeting glimpse of them.

Up to 3.15 breath hold now btw

Rick · February 2nd, 2006, 10:49 AM

Tell me that aint a snorkel.....is it a snorkel.....IT IS A FOOKIN SNORKEL.....quick get the GUE Police there has been a severe violation to rule #6! :D

Helen · February 2nd, 2006, 09:47 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Rick)

Tell me that aint a snorkel.....is it a snorkel.....IT IS A FOOKIN SNORKEL.....quick get the GUE Police there has been a severe violation to rule #6! :D

My arse in a semi-dry shatters rule 6 into a million bits sweetie, a snorkel is the *least* of your worries (plus it makes breathing up a lot easier

)

Rick · February 2nd, 2006, 09:55 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Helen)

My arse in a semi-dry shatters rule 6 into a million bits

Sh*t your right mate, I was too busy laughing at the snorkel! :D :D

GoDiva · February 2nd, 2006, 11:30 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Helen)

My arse in a semi-dry shatters rule 6 into a million bits sweetie, a snorkel is the *least* of your worries (plus it makes breathing up a lot easier

)

Well, if somebody of the male persuasion notices your snorkel before your backside, you could make two conclusions. Either this is something to do with this male person, or the arse is not as bad as you believe.

**Alastair** · February 3rd, 2006, 12:01 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by GoDiva)

Well, if somebody of the male persuasion notices your snorkel before your backside, you could make two conclusions. Either this is something to do with this male person, or the arse is not as bad as you believe.

Priceless! Have a shiny :D

January 31st, 2006, 11:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
Helen(Offline) "Like a diver... only shorter" Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Scapa Flow, Orkney Posts: 101	Freediving Not DIR at all but just thought i would let you guys know, i have started freediving to stop myself from going slowly insane through lack of diving. So off we trotted to St Abbs (Southern Scotland) in our semi-dry's and hopped into the sea for a couple of hours. First off, i found that i wanted to frog kick in the huge freediving fins - it dont work! Secondly, that a 5mm semi is actually quite warm. Thirdly that i need lots of lead! I managed to get to 10m a few times, but then overcooked a dive by staying too long and finning too hard on the way back up - i passed out at 2m and was out cold for about 10 seconds. Oops. I guess this is why we dive in twos at least! Soon recovered from that and sorted my technique so it didnt happen at all. Also had a play with a monofin, which was interesting to say the least! I know its a pale imitation of scuba but hopefully this will mean my OC SAC will drop....but then i guess it means i wont be breathing at all since last year it was around 8 If anyone fancies it, i have some software which you can use to train in breath hold techniques. I can do around 2 mins on normal work up and 3 mins on hyperventilating (only for use for static apnea or dry stuff), improving between 5 and 10 seconds each day i use it (but this rate of improvement will slow soon). A couple of pics for you. __________________ You can dive any way you want to. Just don't expect me to be down there with you.... Last edited by Helen; January 31st, 2006 at 11:08 PM. Reason: tidy up piccies

February 1st, 2006, 01:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
Helen(Offline) "Like a diver... only shorter" Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Scapa Flow, Orkney Posts: 101	For everyone who has asked about the freediving software, you can download it here Marks Blog __________________ You can dive any way you want to. Just don't expect me to be down there with you....

February 1st, 2006, 01:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tricky(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Reading, Berkshire Posts: 555	Quote: (Originally Posted by Helen) ...I know its a pale imitation of scuba... I get the impression that more than a few freedivers see it differently __________________ "I know that you believe that you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realise that what you heard is not what I meant." "Make me one with everything" said the Mystic to the Hamburger vendor. Sigmastorm RPG - Play online now free! UK Diving Forum Sryth: A Free Online Text RPG Join the Adventure! Fallen Sword: Free online RPG

February 2nd, 2006, 10:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
Helen(Offline) "Like a diver... only shorter" Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Scapa Flow, Orkney Posts: 101	We actually saw some scuba divers while we were out, very strange it was too. I think we gave them a bit of a shock! Mad thing was, Mark got face to face with a cormorant which was diving for its lunch. Normally you get a fleeting glimpse of them. Up to 3.15 breath hold now btw __________________ You can dive any way you want to. Just don't expect me to be down there with you....

February 2nd, 2006, 10:49 AM	#6 (permalink)
Rick(Offline) Jock Exley Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Falkirk/Stratford UK Posts: 730	Tell me that aint a snorkel.....is it a snorkel.....IT IS A FOOKIN SNORKEL.....quick get the GUE Police there has been a severe violation to rule #6! :D __________________ Forget Everything And Remember http://phreaticzone.thedeepstop.com/ http://www.dublinbaydiving.com/

February 1st, 2006, 11:21 PM	#4 (permalink)
Andrew Bryson(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Abingdon Posts: 315	Interesting Helen, thanks for the write up. I've always enjoyed messing around with breath hold diving when on holiday, and wouldn't mind giving it a shot over here. I'll need to come along to St Abbs one day and watch from the comfort of scuba andy

February 2nd, 2006, 09:47 PM	#7 (permalink)
Helen(Offline) "Like a diver... only shorter" Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Scapa Flow, Orkney Posts: 101	Quote: (Originally Posted by Rick) Tell me that aint a snorkel.....is it a snorkel.....IT IS A FOOKIN SNORKEL.....quick get the GUE Police there has been a severe violation to rule #6! :D My arse in a semi-dry shatters rule 6 into a million bits sweetie, a snorkel is the least of your worries (plus it makes breathing up a lot easier ) __________________ You can dive any way you want to. Just don't expect me to be down there with you....

February 2nd, 2006, 09:55 PM	#8 (permalink)
Rick(Offline) Jock Exley Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Falkirk/Stratford UK Posts: 730	Quote: (Originally Posted by Helen) My arse in a semi-dry shatters rule 6 into a million bits Sht your right mate, I was too busy laughing at the snorkel! :D :D __________________ Forget Everything And Remember http://phreaticzone.thedeepstop.com/* http://www.dublinbaydiving.com/

February 2nd, 2006, 11:30 PM	#9 (permalink)
GoDiva(Offline) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Belgium Posts: 560	Quote: (Originally Posted by Helen) My arse in a semi-dry shatters rule 6 into a million bits sweetie, a snorkel is the least of your worries (plus it makes breathing up a lot easier ) Well, if somebody of the male persuasion notices your snorkel before your backside, you could make two conclusions. Either this is something to do with this male person, or the arse is not as bad as you believe.

February 3rd, 2006, 12:01 AM	#10 (permalink)
Alastair(Offline) DIRX Supporter Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 693	Quote: (Originally Posted by GoDiva) Well, if somebody of the male persuasion notices your snorkel before your backside, you could make two conclusions. Either this is something to do with this male person, or the arse is not as bad as you believe. Priceless! Have a shiny :D __________________ Helium is our friend - GI3