ascent rates

[porky]

I was reading an article in Freediver mag and came across the point of ascent rates. It is something I haven't really thought about. Do you have to ascend at a certain rate when freediving like when blowing bubbles?

Paul

 

[A Brownsword]

Not for decompression purposes, no. During scuba you are down long enough for nitrogen to build up in the cells, and the ascent rate is limited to control the off-gassing rate. It also helps keep lung expansion under control.

While freediving you don't have time to build up any nitrogen in the cells (well, not unless you are really good!), and your lungs are just expanding back to normal.

A steady descent/ascent rate is good to maintain an even, relaxed exertion rate though and so is good practice. The recent South African competition posted the dive profiles, which I thought was a very good idea and they are probably quite instructive to look at (although my browser doesn't let me go there).