So I've recently completed my Molcha W1 course and I am highly passionate about the competitive sport of freediving. I'm considering taking freediving more seriously, in terms of being an instructor (though i don't see myself being a great teacher lol), athlete or being a member of the safety team in competitions.

The pathway to become a instructor and athlete is pretty straight forward so my question is how do you become part of the safety diver team? I live in Australia, so the freedive community is not as big and mainstream compared to say countries in South East Asia so it is hard for me to be in this environment. I know freediving in general takes a lot of time, effort and money (and also travel for training etc.) but i think i am more than passionate to overcome that. Hehe

What are the usual pathways, and recommendations from fellow freedivers/safety team out there?

Thanks all!

Beginner here. I live in a landlocked state with nothing deeper than 10 within hours of me, but im trying to do some static apnea training to get ready for spearfishing trip. Ive been doing apnea training daily for about 3 months. No formal program just basic co2 tables, some walking apnea, and some single-breath tables that Molchanev recommended in a YouTube video. My problem is… my single breath hold max is terrible still. I can do co2 tables with 1:30 holds fairly easily, just a few contractions on the last few. But my max hold is only 2:00. What would you recommend to get that up?

If sleep apnea's so bad for you, and lactic acid build up is carcinogenic or something, where does that leave us for freediving?

Hey there,

I have a very weird experience I wanted to share to see if people experienced something like that or maybe we have experts that can advise.

I am diving for quite some time but recently I have issues that might end the hobby for me entirely.

3 months ago I had a fun dive with friends in a nearby lake. I had issues equaizing so I did not go down at first. Later it got better so I could go. We dived around 10-12m, not a depth I would struggle with (I am comfortable around 30m).

Then something strange happened. On the pre-dive EQ I felt a sharp pain so I aborted the dive. On checking I realized bubbling and whistling noises. Shocked from that we stopped the activity and I checked my ear with a camera but couldn't spot anything. At the evening everything was back to normal so I had another try the next day on a line. Dive went normal but back on the surface the same kind of noises on EQ. No pain or something. I got upset stomach but I was nervous and that is normal for me when I am. Either way I stopped diving again.

Back home the next day I had two ENTs checking my ear during EQ, measured pressure and so on. Nothing could be found. They said the sound probably came from light barotrauma and fluid build up in the tube.

Convinced I went last week to a diving trip to Cyprus. Had my first dive 3 days ago to the Zenobia (18-22m). I went down a couple of times all went well. No squeezing noises or pain or whatever. Slight pops all the way down. After 6 dives or so that noise again. Went down for a last diving "knowing" it's nothing bad. Ended the dive as normal, cleared my ears with fresh water and all good except that I still heard bubbling or whistling when I EQ at land. I literally felt the pressure loss and how the air through my drum let it vibrate...

In the evening it all was normal again, could EQ even harder, no issues. So I had the plan to do the ultimate test on my next dive which was planned for tomorrow. I wanted to please someone take a video as there must be bubbles coming out of my ear. However I just checked the ear with a camera again and this time I see a red crack across the small window of my ear drum so I better stay out of water for the rest of my time (and maybe life 😭).

I am so devastated, I mean obviously my ear drum can break at any time without me realizing or being able to do something about it. I really don't know what to do. Do I have to stop diving forever?

If anyone had a similar experience I'd be curious to hear about it. Or if anyone with a medical background may have advice I am happy to hear it too.

I actually wanted to go to Dahab for training in December but I don't think I can do that. Of course I will go to the ENT again as soon as possible but I don't have much hope they can help. I probably reach out to DAN as well if they can recommend any specialists near me.

Stay safe out there fellow divers. I hope there is a way out of this misery.

EDIT : Please note that this is not a seek for medical advice. If you have an injury always see a doctor first! I have seen an ENT and rather wanted to exchange long term advice.

Je serai à mallorque la semaine prochaine et aucun club d’apnée m’a repondu pour faire des sorties avec eux. Tout est déjà fermé à cette saison ? Vous avez des contacts svp ?

As time goes on I slowly decrease my training volume as it might be too much, but I’m now in a point where I really don’t think it’s too much, but some days I just wake up like “nah I’m not really up to feeling the discomfort of breath holding right now” and I give up way before my limit. My max static is around 4:00. I do 5-6 CO2 tables and around 2 max holds per week. I hate this feeling of “I know I can do more but I just don’t want to” even though I really want to so I can proceed. Should I lower even more volume or should I change my approach? Thanks :)

My table is:
1:25 rest/2:20 hold
1:10 rest/2:20 hold
0:55 rest/2:20 hold
0:40 rest/2:20 hold
0:25 rest/2:20 hold
0:10 rest/2:20 hold

Got the freediving bug, having always loved snorkelling and the underwater world. Started an AIDA course however I'm having to re-attempt the depth element because I absolutely could not equalise upside-down at any depth. I can frenzel at surface but each dive attempt led to the same outcome - cannot unblock my right ear (with no mucous / inflammation that I'm aware of).

I'm already having such difficulties, will it be this hard at each depth going forward? I would love to get into this long-term, but don't want to set myself up for heartache. If you struggle with EQ from the outset, will it always be an uphill battle?

In my last depth lesson, after completing all the requirements, I did a no-fins dive to 20 m (I was still wearing my socks, hadn't removed it). It was my personal best depth to reach without fins. I didn't use a wetsuit or any weights as well.

https://reddit.com/link/1x4f5qr/video/l33zkl0zx3vh1/player

Hi all,

I’m looking at getting a chest strap HR monitor that I could use for both freediving and cycling, and I’d like some real-world feedback before buying.

My situation: I do both pool and depth, usually diving to around 20 m. For cycling I use a Wahoo Elemnt Bolt v2 (ANT+ and BLE), so the strap needs to pair with that.

What I’ve figured out so far:

• Bluetooth/ANT+ doesn’t transmit underwater, so a strap needs internal memory to record the dive and sync afterwards.
• Cheap straps without memory (Polar H9, Coospo H808S) seem useless for this.
• Polar H10 seems to be the usual choice (30 m rated, memory, works with Polar Beat), which should cover my depth.
• Suunto Smart Sensor looks like a cheaper option with memory, but BLE only.
• Garmin HRM-Pro Plus is rated to 50 m, but I’m not sure its memory works without a Garmin watch.

My questions:

1. What do you actually use for HR tracking while freediving, and are you happy with it?
2. Do you get reliable readings in salt water, or does the signal get noisy?
3. Any tips for getting good electrode contact (wetting, gel, strap position) so the signal doesn’t drop during the dive?
4. Honestly, is it useful? Does seeing your HR curve help with training (bradycardia, diving response, recovery between dives), or is it more of a gimmick?

Thanks in advance, any experience welcome!

I took a beginner course 2 years ago that included a couple days in a class room and learning in a pool. I haven’t had a chance to really try it out since and I am looking to go somewhere for about a week to learn and experience more. I live in California and am preferably looking for something not too far and on the more affordable side. Somewhere with accommodations and food inclusions would be great. If anyone has done something similar, please let me know!

Why is she moving her hands like that in the six minutes mark onwards? I thought it was from the discomfort but there are so much more theories in my head

As the title says. I did my first dive in a wetsuit and was having major abdominal and ball cramps. Was it just because I’m not used to it or maybe I’m not wearing my suit right? It fits me well so I’m not sure.

First of all, thank you for the advice you gave me before. Over the summer, I trained with a freediving instructor for about two months and learned the fundamentals. I’m genuinely grateful to everyone here who encouraged me to get proper training.

I’m not sure if this is the right place to ask, but sometimes while diving I get a strange involuntary urge to inhale. It seems to happen especially right after equalizing. My nostrils almost feel like they’re automatically trying to breathe in, and lately it has started to make me a little nervous.

The strange part is that I’m not actually running out of air when this happens. I’ve usually only just started the dive and I’m still early in my breath-hold. It doesn’t feel like a genuine need for air, more like an involuntary breathing reflex through my nose.

This might sound like a weird question, but does anyone else experience this? Especially after equalizing?

Freediving in the Galápagos Islands is an absolute thrill that takes ocean adventure to a whole new level. Without the heavy gear or bubbles of traditional scuba diving, freediving offers an intimate, silent connection with one of the world’s richest marine ecosystems.

Seems like the BEST deep freediving bi-fins for performance have been the Cetmas TARAS with proven podium results over these past few years outshinning the Pro Hyper Molchanovs line overall, IMO. However, several other brands have coincidentally popped up around the same time just a few months ago--namely:

C4 Protech (https://c4carbon.com/freediving/en/product/protech-fins/)

Alchemy ICON (https://alchemy.gr/products/icon-fins)

and the VBLabs Axiom (https://www.official-secrets.com/en/products/vb-labs-axiom)

I would venture to guess that the battle for the top fins would be between the Alchemy Icon or the VBLabs Axiom---both of these fins seems very progressive and if there is any hope to dethrone the TARAS these could be the ones. The TARAS are the only ones to have one universal stiffness.

If anyone has experience with any of these latest fins and their nuances please and share.

But in reality I don't think there would be MUCH difference overall between the fins--but at elite levels of the sport a few % points can make for that final edge.

I am considering squeezing in some training sessions in an indoor dive centre on my next overseas trip, and a session is available which fits my schedule and ends 21h 45min before my flight back home.

I want to work on my comfort and equalisation between -27 m and -32 m.

Is this interval safe for flying? What is the minimum surface interval for this kind of training session? Is it 12 hours or 18 hours? Is it not deep enough to require a full 24 hours?

Hello, I suppose this post is regarding mental training for freediving. Has anyone ever had to challenge their fear of the water/depths in order to go further in this sport/hoby, or are all free divers naturally unafraid of the water. I love the water, and have been swimming my whole life, I want to explore the water (especially the ocean) more, and becoming a proficient freediver seems like the perfect way to explore this passion. Yet I am paradoxically scared of the water (I think it's thalasophobia more than anything). Is this normal, does the fear subside when your confidence and education grows, or am I just not cut out for this?

I was super careful and no idea how it happened 🥲

Can I save it in any way? Edit: forgot to mention that it's a plastic fin. SEAC BM-30

I'm at a point in freediving where I want to start diving beyond my residual volume. Up until now I've had no issue equalising, it came quite naturally to me. Now I get stranded at a depth of +- 38 meters, which I assume is where I reach residual volume. The next logical step looks like learning mouthfill, which I have been attempting and getting coaching in.

The only issue is that I have an "unusual" equalisation technique, so it's not the standard frenzel to mouthfill transition and even my coach is kind of struggling because he doesn't have the same soft palate controle I use when equalising.

The technique I use is doing a reverse pack and then compressing the air with my soft palate. I can handsfree equalise to +-10 meters, after that it feels like a combination between handsfree and frenzel where I have to pinch my nose. But I don't use my tongue at all and my throat doesn't make the tell tale movement of frenzel. The main "push" of air really comes from my soft palate. I can also easily inflate a balloon when equalising with the otovent.

So now with learning mouthfill, I can fill my mouth with air. But then when I equalise, I equalise 'behind' my tongue with the reverse pack + soft palate push I'm used to, these moves really feel tied together. The rest of the air just stays in my mouth and it feels like I can't use it. When I try to use my soft palate to push the air in my mouth up without reverse packing, I automatically open my glottis, losing the mouthfill.

Some people have advised me to learn frenzel and then mouthfill, so I can use the tongue push. But even if I try this I have to actively open my soft palate to be able to push this air up. And this seems like such a step back because I can equalise just fine right now.

Any other people who equalise like this or recognize it? Can anyone point me in the right direction? Should I focus on learning a clean frenzel, or try to use mouthfill with my current handsfree/soft palate equalization? Any tips, videos, exercises,... are much appreciated. Thank you!

Hi,

I am new to this sub, since I only read about free diving for the first time in my life, even though I practiced it somehow regularly since I was a kid because I just love diving in the sea.

I mostly dive in the Mediterranean sea and depth wise I go comfortably to like 10-12m. 15m is my max. The duration of my dives is maximum 2 to 3mins I would say.

For now I only own a good diving mask and a simple snorkel from a tourist shop. I don't use the snorkel so often. I never go with a suit or with fins. And tbh I like it this way because it just feels good to carry as less as possible and just dive and swim for fun.

I am interested in taking photos or videos of my dives and wonder if there is some other light to carry equipment that you would recommend for my purposes. Also is there a way to carry a gopro on a belt for example? Maybe would also be good to store the the snorkel when not in use?

Since I love climbing out of the water from on some rocks to sunbathe there or just enjoy the view I am basically looking for a way to carry my equipment in a way so I don't need to get out the water so often.

I am happy for any tips you guys can give me! :) Thank you!

I am looking to buy an EQ tool / Otovent for the purpose of training equalization. How should I choose the correct specification to buy? Can any equalization tool be used to train for any depths? Also, how should I get replacement balloons as well?

For me, I currently want to train for equalization which can help me exceed my RV depth, about -27 m with full lungs.

Can any advanced freedivers give me some insights which system is better for further progression in freediving? I am on AIDA and recently got my AIDA 3, and I am now thinking how I should progress further, as I am interested in learning the skills to bring me beyond RV.

My current ability is maximum 2:52 static, dynamic 60 m comfortable and 75 max, bi-fins 27 m comfortable and 32 max, and no fins 16 m comfortable and 21 m max.

I started learning freediving 6 years ago to be a recreational freediver hoping to be comfortable down to -20 to -30 m, while training to be a competitive open water swimmer, however, I have already lost the motivation to swim competitively because of the lack of support of it in London, and I would like to do another water-based competitive sport to replace open water swimming.

My problem now is that, I will have to stay in the UK for the coming winter due to other life and career goals, and I absolutely don't want to dive in a wetsuit. (no-mask CNF is my favourite discipline) In fact, I did my AIDA 2 in Hong Kong and hadn't dived for years as I was in a wrong climate, before I resumed diving this year, and did my AIDA 3 in Hong Kong this summer as well. I have also experienced hostility in the UK due to my insistence of non-wetsuit diving. (5 years ago, I tried to put on a wetsuit and dive, and I didn't feel good at all.)

I find that the Molchanovs system is more attractive if I eventually want to become an athlete. Molchanovs also has the flexibility that it is theoretically possible for me to do the L3 first in a pool before I go back to Hong Kong / Taiwan to complete the W3 afterwards in the open sea, not wasting any time to do pool practices, while such flexibility doesn't exist at the advanced AIDA 4 level (there are AIDA 2 pool and AIDA 3 pool only).

However, there is a complete lack of Molchanovs resources in the UK. There is only 1 W3i instructor in the whole country and she is based in rural Scotland, while I live in London. In contrast, there are plenty of AIDA Master Instructors in the UK, including London, but they won't be helpful if I never want to complete the whole AIDA 4 course in the UK, as I only want to dive in places warm enough to not use a suit.

I am not ready to do the advance course yet in terms of depth, as I haven't achieved total comfort at -30 to -32 m depth yet, and I will probably need to wait until next summer to go back to Hong Kong for further practice.

I would like advice how I should progress during the winter without access to any depths, as during my AIDA 3 course, I felt that my Frenzel equalisation started to become difficult beyond -27 m, and also which system I should continue on if I eventually do the advanced course.

If I remain a recreational freediver, do I actually need to take AIDA 4 or Molchanovs Wave 3? If I want to become an athlete, is the Molchanovs system (Wave 3) really much better than AIDA?