Essential Equipment for Freediving Beginners
A breakdown of all of the equipment to get if you are wanting to start freediving!
While all diving gear might look the same, there are certain specs that make freediving equipment more advantageous than using just any snorkeling or scuba gear.
Mask: Proper freediving masks are made with tempered glass, cover the nose, and are typically low volume. Low volume masks are important because they are more flexible and deal best with increasing pressure. As we go deeper, air spaces compress, resulting in a suction effect on our face. We need to equalize the air in the mask by exhaling through our nose. Typically, snorkel and scuba masks have much larger volumes, requiring us to exert more air. If we don’t, we can risk getting something called a Mask Squeeze, which can essentially cause bruising around the eyes.
Snorkel: A snorkel is used to breathe before the dive, preparing ourselves for the dive. One of the BIGGEST mistakes I see is when people freedive with a snorkel in their mouths. Keeping our airways open like this can be dangerous because it increases the risk of swallowing water and can trigger the urge to breathe sooner in some cases.
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Fins: Fins are what we wear on our feet to create momentum using minimal effort. The biggest difference between snorkel and scuba fins versus freediving fins is the closed foot pocket. Having a fitted and closed foot pocket allows for the most efficient transfer of energy from the upper legs down through the blades of the fins. While typical freediving fins are quite long, it is sometimes best to perfect the flutter kick finning technique on shorter fins first, as longer fins can require more energy than they are good for.
Wetsuit: Nothing burns energy more than shivering. Wearing a wetsuit if you are in the water for extended periods of time will significantly help keep you warm. Otherwise, our body spends a lot of energy to keep us warm, reducing our ability to hold our breath for as long. Freediving wetsuits are typically 2 pieces to prevent water from entering the wetsuit unlike scuba and surfing wetsuits.
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Weight belt and Weights: Most people tend to be very buoyant when they are on the surface, especially if they are wearing a wetsuit. In order to balance this buoyancy, we need to wear a weight belt. Freediving weight belts are made out of rubber so that they do not slide on our body since we are frequently going upside down and right side up during our dives.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Being properly weighted in freediving means being positively buoyant on the surface and neutrally buoyant at 10m. If you are sinking on the surface, you must remove weight from your belt, otherwise, you are wasting too much energy trying to stay on the surface and it can be dangerous – I’m looking at you spear-fishermen (notorious for overweighting themselves)! Do NOT wear a weight belt if you are not comfortable treading water or swimming in open water.
Surface marker/buoy: A buoy is an external flotation device that is usually quite colorful and will stay on the surface with your buddy as you go for your dive. If you are planning on exploring waters beyond designated snorkeling zones, you MUST bring a surface marker and/or buoy. Having a surface buoy is essential for providing a resting place before and after dives, but more importantly, you are visible on the surface, especially in places where there is a lot of boat traffic.
Having the right equipment is the first step to becoming a confident and safe freediver. If you're just getting started, make sure to invest in these essentials, and always prioritize safety. Happy diving!