How to start Freediving

[Morg]

Originally Posted by [LEFT

jfelkins[/left]]Should Freedivers wear ear plugs? What effect do they have on equalizing ear pressure? thanks

Ear Plugs are very dangerous if you plan on diving down deep. Even 8ft or so.

If you dive down with ear plugs the ear plug will get pushed into your ear and might damage your ear. It is something that you shouldn't do at all if you plan on diving down.

You cannot equilize the air space between your ear drum and the ear plug.

[DeepThought]

And even worse, the eardrum might get pushed out (read "torn"). I wouldn't dive even a meter deep with earplugs.
There are some perforated earplugs ('doc earplugs' or something like that) that can keep your outer ear canals warm by restricting water circulation.
Why do you feel the need for earplugs?

[Morg]

With some hoods that are extremly tight can't they damage your ears as well? (creating a air tight area around the ear and when you decent it constricts)

I wonder how you would privent this from happening...

[lungfish]

Hi Morg,

It is a simple matter to modify your hood. Put it on and mark the spot on the outside of the hood that corresponds with your ear canal. Then take a hot wire coat hanger and poke it through the neoprene.... Of course, you should probably take off the hood before shoving a red hot poker into it but hey, if you wanna leave it on....

Regarding earplugs, I have tried using them and they are definitely comfortable in cooler water or if you are out there a long time. I am referring to Doc's ProPlugs which come in a range of sizes to fit your ears and are perforated for deep diving. The only drawback that I can see is that you can't hear anything when wearing them. That goes for people talking to you on the surface as well as fish talking to each other underwater. I did wear them while doing long solo practices and they were comfortable. I have a set in my dive kit.

Lungfish

[DeepThought]

More tips against hood squeeze, always flood your hood before your first dive. That usually did the trick for me. I usually use the first dive to take bubbles out of my suit as well.
Another smart solution I read here was to run a shoelace (or some other string) around your head and let it pop outside around both your ears, allowing waterflow.

[jfelkins]

thanks for the earplug info. I won't use use ethe silicone plugs diving that I do for swimming. I'm always guarding against swimmers ear.

FYI, this is the kind of info that seems so helpful on this thread. some of the conversations are pretty technical for me (a total newbie).

[bolts]

Originally Posted by lungfish

It is a simple matter to modify your hood. Put it on and mark the spot on the outside of the hood that corresponds with your ear canal. Then take a hot wire coat hanger and poke it through the neoprene....

Actually, I found something as small as a pin does a decent job. The neoprene burning around the hot metal actually makes a bigger hole than the diameter of the object you're shoving through the hood. Just don't go overboard.

[lungfish]

Indeed, you can use something smaller because it will make a larger diameter hole. The main thing is getting it positioned correctly over your ear canal....

Frankly, in warm water, I don't wear a hood. I do wear a do-rag to protect my head from the sun but when the water is 79degrees to 250ft, who needs a hood?

[jfelkins]

Again thanks for all the good info.

Are there fins that are good for snorkeling and some freediving that aren't necssarily "competition/rope" freediving fins?

If I just buy snorkeling fins are clsoed heel better than open if I'm going to do some diving?

Maybe better than a good brand or model would be to know what to look for in fins in terms of features...

thanks again.

[lungfish]

Howdy Jfelkins,

I would always suggest using freediving fins vs scuba fins. That is, freediving fins with a closed heel or foot pocket.
I often suggest a package that is available at spearfishinggear.com - $200US gets you a pair of Omer Millinium fins, an Omer Alien mask (one of the lowest volume masks on the market), a good snorkel and booties. None of this is competition grade equipment but it is more than adequate for many freedivers and spearos. Of course, a wetsuit and a weightbelt is also requisite as is a knife, gloves and a dive computer.
The plastic Omer fins are just fine for snorkeling and some swimming down to 25meters or so. They can take a beating as well and you don't have to feel bad about it.
The neat thing about Omer fins is that if you want to upgrade your fin blades, you can buy new fins from a variety of manufacturers that will fit on your original Omer footpockets.
Anyway, there are several threads here that discuss fins and diving equipment. Happy to help with any questions.

Lungfish

[Mr. X]

Originally Posted by island_sands

...There are plenty of knowledgeable freedivers in South Africa. BTW the unofficial record for breath holding is over 10minutes

Seems like SA has a disproportionate number of ace spearos & top spearo companies -- not at all backwards. Miles posted an article a while ago describing a class he and his wife (Dr.Fish?) took. [2006 Guiness Book of Records had an official breath holding time of 8m 59sec (if I recall correctly?)...you'd think they'd go for that extra second! Progress in this area is rapid though. 10 minutes - scary!]

[jfelkins]

Thanks for the tip o nthe omer "kit". I'm gonna check that out.

[Morg]

Hey all, I have a question about those c02/02 tables.

My question is this:

After doing a few I notice that only one of the column changes. Like for example the 02 table where you do a 1:30 breath hold and you simply decrease the time. I was wondering when you would up that number?

When I was making my tables I had the impression I just either +15 seconds to co2 and -15 seconds from 02.

Do I stay constant or do I increase that number?

I was thinking a formula would work out nicely and maby this might help my question. You would only do this when you completed a phase and moved onto a more difficult one.

C02:
1:00 + 0:15 = 1:15 New Starting Time.

02:
1:15 - 0:15 = 1:00 New Vent Time.

So to further my explanation; am I going to have a vent time of 2:00 in my Co2 table always? (Phase 1 - 7).


Thanks,
Morg

[SEDATE]

Originally Posted by Morg

When I was making my tables I had the impression I just either +15 seconds to co2 and -15 seconds from 02.
Do I stay constant or do I increase that number?
Morg

my idea play with the numbers +/- as feel as yourself comfortable
it is a little bit hemoglobin ratio in your blood i mean your ratio can be ok but very close to min value this makes you unhappy while working 02 .. if you go deep... body uses FE+(iron) and FE+(iron) needed to make hemoglobin ..you can think on it and you can find a way...

[Morg]

Originally Posted by SEDATE

my idea play with the numbers +/- as feel as yourself comfortable
it is a little bit hemoglobin ratio in your blood i mean your ratio can be ok but very close to min value this makes you unhappy while working 02 .. if you go deep... body uses FE+(iron) and FE+(iron) needed to make hemoglobin ..you can think on it and you can find a way...

So I will just modify them a little bit now and see how it goes. I like the +15 and -15 because its a nice number. I will just change the other number a bit.

Thanks