The popularity of freediving in the UK is growing, with more and more scuba divers delving into the world of Apnea to enjoy a unique experience underwater. Freediving - diving on one breath using advanced breath-holding techniques - is a totally different way of experiencing the ocean compared to out-and-out diving, with depths and dive times significantly less than diving with a tank. It certainly poses its own set of challenges, so it should come as a surprise to learn that it also requires a specific approach to training and practising.
If you’re keen to give freediving a go, we’ve got no doubt that you’ll have a truly poetic time in the silent waters that await. However, it’s important to do your research and discover how to learn to freedive properly so that you can safely access this otherworldly side of the ocean. To get you started, we’ve outlined our top tips for freediving beginners in this simple ‘how to’ learn to freedive guide.
Find A Buddy
New hobbies and skills are always better with a friend, and this is a sentiment that could not be truer when it comes to becoming a freediver. In fact, the first rule of freediving (and a non-negotiable at that) is that you should never freedive alone.
As you might expect, the idea of holding your breath for extended periods underwater comes with its own safety risks and freedivers can experience shallow water blackouts if pushed to the extremes too quickly. Freediving with a buddy gives you the peace of mind that there is always somebody watching out for you should you find yourself in danger. The buddy system also provides the opportunity to share knowledge and tips, ultimately enabling you to become a better and more well-rounded freediver.
Get The Right Gear
If you’re wondering how to learn to freedive, you probably have some level of experience and knowledge with freediving’s best friend: scuba diving. This also means you’ll own or be familiar with the basic equipment required for freediving, including fins, a mask and a snorkel. When you’re first learning how to freedive, your existing scuba gear should offer the foundation you need to get used to breath-holding techniques.
However, as you start to get more comfortable with freediving and lengthen your dive times, you’ll want to invest in specialist freediving equipment to progress your skills even further. In particular, invest in a low-profile mask to help you save on valuable air and longer fins to allow you to cut through the water more efficiently.
Balance Mental & Physical Preparation
When we think about learning a new skill like freediving, it’s easy to jump straight to the physical techniques required. Of course, there is a significant degree of physical preparation required to master the art of breathing underwater (which we will come onto shortly!), but this should not overshadow how much the right state of mind can make you a better freediver.
To hold your breath underwater, your body needs to be calm and relaxed and this can be achieved by preparing yourself mentally before you enter the water. When you learn to freedive, allow yourself time to relax and get in tune with your breathing. If you have a particular technique that you know helps you chill out and relax in everyday life, use it to prepare yourself for a freedive too. It’s also considering when and where you learn to freedive. Avoid practising when you’re feeling stressed or distracted - if your mind isn’t in the game then your body won’t be either.
Practise Out Of The Water
On the physical side of things, the ability to hold your breath for long periods of time is absolutely crucial when learning to freedive. The longer you can hold your breath, the higher your CO2 tolerance and therefore your ability to stay underwater for longer. What might surprise you is that this skill can be developed without even setting foot in the water so set aside some time to build up your CO2 tolerance by practising your breathing by sitting or lying in a quiet space.
Prepare your mind first and take one full breath by completely exhaling then inhaling up through your body. It might feel somewhat akin to meditation or taking part in yoga, and you should eventually find yourself holding your breath for longer. Over time, this will translate to being able to hold your breath for longer in the water too!
Take A Freediving Course
Being willing to listen to the experts is the final golden rule when it comes to how to learn to freedive! Though some degree of self-learning is possible with freediving, the wisest thing to do is to take a certified freediving course first to ensure that you understand the basics. The PADI freediver course is the perfect introduction to freediving, with course contents covering safety tips, valuable theory, and a range of physical and mental freediving techniques.
At Aquanauts, we are delighted that our wonderful freediving instructor Laura is on hand to offer the PADI freediver course at our Plymouth dive centre. She will guide you through the course content and provide expert tips and guidance so that you can feel safe and confident as you start to build your breath-holding techniques.
If you’re keen to learn how to freedive with us, simply book your course online today or get in touch with our team for more information. We can also provide advice related to the best freediving equipment, and additional tips and tricks to help you feel more confident as you begin to explore the water in a new way.