What Are the Risks of Freediving? And How to Tackle Them
November 1, 2024
Freediving is witnessing a surge in popularity, with more people exploring it as a new hobby. This not only introduces new people to the diving community but also offers seasoned scuba divers an alternative way to explore underwater. Going freediving recreationally is generally safe but there are some risks to be aware of. It is essential to follow specific guidelines and safety measures to ensure you are safe in the water. So, let us take a look at the main risks of freediving and our top tips to minimize them.
The Risks Associated with Freediving
1. Diving Without Proper Training
In contrast to scuba diving, freediving demands minimal equipment, leading some individuals to assume they can simply acquire gear and commence freediving without prior instruction. While this may seem feasible initially, it becomes one of the significant risks of freediving when unforeseen challenges arise.
Many people are unaware of the physiological impacts of pressure on the body and lack the knowledge to recognize potential dangers. Moreover, novice freedivers, lacking certification, might venture into the water alone, unaware of the risks of freediving.
By undergoing proper training and obtaining a freediving certification, you equip yourself with knowledge of freediving techniques and safety protocols. This significantly reduces the likelihood of accidents and enhances your overall freediving experience.
2. Diving Alone
The number one rule you learn when freediving is to never dive alone and always follow the one up one down rule. This practice guarantees that there is always a freediving buddy at the surface, ready to assist in the event of an emergency.
Whether it involves conducting a swift rescue operation or promptly alerting emergency personnel, having a diving buddy significantly reduces the risks of freediving alone. Additionally, having a dive buddy not only enhances your safety but also enriches your dive as you explore together.
3. Pushing Your Limits
One of the most crucial aspects of freediving safety is to understand and respect your limitations in the water. While exploring the depths is exhilarating, everyone has unique physiological and psychological thresholds. Pushing beyond these boundaries can lead to fatigue, disorientation, and even dangerous situations such as blackouts or loss of consciousness underwater.
Gauge your capabilities with self-awareness and humility, so you can make informed decisions about when to ascend and when to refrain from diving deeper. Make sure you recognize the signs of physical strain or discomfort and acknowledge when it is time to surface and rest.
Understanding and respecting your limits also means refraining from succumbing to peer pressure or attempting dives beyond your skill level. Each dive should be a journey of self-discovery and growth, all while respecting the forces of nature and the inherent risks of freediving.
4. Equipment Malfunctions
Having the right freediving equipment and ensuring it is in great condition are vital for reducing the risks of freediving. Before every dive, take the time to meticulously inspect all of your freediving gear, including masks, snorkels, fins, wetsuits, weight belts, your dive computer and any additional accessories.
Begin by examining the structural integrity of your equipment, and checking for any signs of wear, tear, or damage. Pay close attention to straps, buckles, and seals, ensuring they are secure and free from defects. Verify that all fasteners are properly tightened and that no cracks or punctures are compromising the integrity of your gear.
Clean your equipment after freediving, as dirt, salt residue, and debris can impede performance and lead to corrosion over time. Rinse all gear thoroughly with fresh water after each use and store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Regular maintenance and upkeep of your freediving equipment will help it to last longer and prevent malfunctions or failures underwater. By investing time and effort into proper care and inspection, you can dive with confidence, knowing that your gear is reliable and ready for every adventure.
5. Poor Weather Conditions
Weather significantly impacts your safety in the water. Certain regions experience abrupt weather shifts, sudden wind changes, or coastal cloud and rain influxes that can transform a seemingly safe dive site into a challenging environment. These conditions may cause disorientation or hinder your ability to navigate back to the entry point.
Before diving, make sure you regularly monitor weather forecasts. Check conditions the night before and plan accordingly. Reassess the weather on the morning of the dive and exercise sound judgment.
If you anticipate that adverse weather conditions could pose challenges, prioritize safety and reschedule the dive for another day. Trusting your instincts and staying informed about weather patterns are important steps in minimizing the risks of freediving.
6. Dehydration and a Lack of Rest
This point can often be severely underestimated when managing the risks of freediving. A good night’s sleep and hydration are key to fully enjoying your freediving experience and staying safe while doing so. A day out on the water can be very exhausting and cause serious dehydration if you are not careful.
Listen to your body and take a break as often as necessary. Try to seek a shady spot to relax and recover in and make sure you drink water little and often. If you are in a very hot country you may need to consider taking soluble electrolytes with you to add to your water to help your body recuperate after an exhausting session in the water.
7. Poor Equalization
Regular equalization is important while freediving to avoid any barotrauma, most especially in the ears. Equalization is the process of balancing the pressure between the inner ear and the surrounding water. This is necessary because as you dive deeper, the water pressure increases, and if the pressure inside your ear does not match the pressure outside, it can cause discomfort, pain, or even injury.
There are several ways you can equalize, with the most common being the Valsalva maneuver, where you pinch your nose and blow gently to equalize the pressure. Other techniques include the Frenzel maneuver, the Toynbee maneuver, and the swallowing technique. You can find out more about these techniques in this article:
Regular equalization is important for your comfort and safety, to be able to obtain more depth and to prevent middle ear squeeze or inner ear barotrauma. It will ultimately help you improve your performance as you will be able to reach more depth with ease.
Practice and master equalization techniques and incorporate them into your regular training routines. It is essential to equalize early and often during descent to ensure that pressure imbalances are corrected promptly and consistently throughout the dive.
8. Freediving After Scuba Diving
Going freediving immediately after scuba diving is one of the risks of freediving due to the way our bodies accumulate and release inert gases under pressure. While scuba diving, the body absorbs nitrogen from the breathing gas at a higher rate due to the increased pressure at depth. This absorbed gas must be allowed to off-gas slowly, a process effectively managed through controlled ascent and adherence to decompression stops, if required.
However, the rapid change in pressure experienced during freediving immediately after scuba diving can disrupt this delicate off-gassing process. Freediving subjects the body to a sudden decrease in pressure, increasing the risk of decompression sickness (DCS), as the inert gases may come out of solution too quickly and form bubbles in the body.
This condition is not only dangerous but can be life-threatening, necessitating a cautious approach where you allow ample time for off-gassing before engaging in freediving activities. This period allows your body to safely release the accumulated gases, ensuring your safety and well-being.
It is recommended to allow the same caution as when flying: 12 hours before freediving, if you did a single scuba dive, or 18 hours if you have done multiple dives. Of course, the longer the break the safer you will be.
1. Lack of First Aid Knowledge
During your Freediving course, you will learn a few basic rescue techniques so that you can help your buddy in the event of an emergency. Something that is not included is proper first aid, so we highly recommend getting a first aid and oxygen provider certification and keeping this up to date to reduce the risks of freediving.
If you are part of a group of freediving buddies, get everyone to attend the course together. That way, not only you are capable of helping your buddies in an emergency, but they can help you.
2.No Specialized Diving Insurance
It is not just scuba diving that requires specialized insurance. Freedivers should obtain specialized diving insurance to safeguard themselves against the potential risks of freediving and liabilities. While freediving may involve fewer pieces of equipment compared to scuba diving and you are not breathing gas under pressure, it is not without its hazards.
Accidents such as underwater blackouts, injuries, or medical emergencies can occur unexpectedly, regardless of experience level. Specialized diving insurance offers essential coverage tailored to the unique needs of freedivers, including emergency medical expenses, evacuation costs, and equipment damage or loss.
Additionally, it provides peace of mind, knowing that you have financial protection and access to assistance services in the event of an unforeseen incident. Therefore, investing in diving insurance is a prudent step to ensure your safety and security throughout your freediving adventures.
This article was written by Elizabeth Langenberg / Tal Tamir, in cooperation with our insurance partners at DiveAssure.