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Beggining

Thread Status: Hello , There was no answer in this thread for more than 60 days.
It can take a long time to get an up-to-date response or contact with relevant users.

Ralphie Wigum

New Member
Apr 7, 2008
2
0
0
ive got asthma so i am unable to scuba dive, so i thought i would try to learn to freedive. Im wondring if there is anyone who knows a place in Sydney, Australia or a good instruction website i can go to to learn properly
 
Ralph,

G'day mate...

I have asthma too...Have'nt been able to take a freedive course yet...But I CAN tell you this...On days when I do freedive it seems my asthma is non-existant after the diving day is done. :)

Even when I have a touch of asthma when I begin a diving day, by the end it is GONE! :) :) :)

The compression and the expansion of the lungs seems to open things up...I can't tell you why...It just does. I don't know the scientific basis behind it. :t

The strive to get better at freediving and spearing has also inspired me to start losing weight and eat better...I am also into a full body stretching routine EVERY morning now. And I sometimes practice "max -dry statics" and do "the tables".:martial

The best way to learn IS NOT from a book or computer or even by trial and error....This is an inherently dangerous sport - and our asthma only compounds that danger...I'd get a doctor's release and take a PFI or FIT freediving course somehow. Expensive but I'm sure worth EVERY cent. You can find tons of info on here about either the F.I.T. class or P.F.I. and lots of other things too. Just use the "search" tool...But you'll NEVER learn what the pro's know UNLESS you take a class/course. Even then...just because you take a class does'nt mean you are "Superman" or something...It just gives you a good "solid" foundation to build upon. I'm sure I will have to "unlearn" some of the stuff I do now when I finally get to take a class/course. A person "fresh outta the box" would probably be a better student actually...So go for it as soon as you can..."Self instruction" will most likely lead you to bad and or dangerous habits. Again "most likely"...Everyone starts somewhere...Who taught the first "professional" freediver...:confused:

Also, I know of a few guys who have thier "C" card for scuba and they DO have asthma...Did they just lie? Why can't one scuba with asthma?...Is it because of the decompression period? In case you have an attack? Does it matter if your asthma is severe or relatively mild? Mine is fairly mild - But I have NO desire to do SCUBA...I have an attack or two a year and I think its allergy related. Just have not pinpointed it yet...Almonds and Mushrooms combined...Cats too I think. No I don't eat cats! Well, that depends on what you call the cat! roflI can ALWAYS tell well beforehand that an asthma attack is coming though. So obviously those are NO dive days for me.

I'm suprised no one else, "or someone better qualified" has not tried to answer your questions yet...been five days...Usually someone is very QUICK to point things out on here. Very helpful bunch indeed...Usually.... Especially to a "newbie"...What I say is by no means "gospel" as I am totally "self taught" over the last 25 years or so...I have recently just began "the addiction" of freediving and spearing, but have always snorkeled and dove to the bottom in relatively shallow waters. Some people have greatly varying opinions on what is and is not a "freediver"...Some famous freedivers say "if you go under one inch and hold your breath you are freediving." Others think you HAVE to take a class or you are just a "snorkeler"? Go figure....

In the last few years I've probably learned just enough to become "dangerous" to myself...I can easily make 45 feet and have a PB "dry static" of about 4 minutes. I'm afraid to push farther without properly "qualified" training and a good safety diver or diver's dedicated to "my" dive...Not flitting around talking, spearing or whatever. Thats NOT a safety diver.

We all dive alone at times...But please...Just don't do it...A blackout can come upon you without warning...Only a "pro" or "well seasoned veteran" can be "in tune" enough with thier bodies to possibly feel it (SWB) coming on...Eric Fattah says he can recognize the signals in his body/mind...But by then, even for them (him), it may be too late. Take no chances and NEVER push "your" envelope without a proper dive buddy!

I hope my reply helps a little bit!...Good luck and "safe learning" to you! Never been to Sydney but Perth was AWESOME!

P.S. - For all those "pros" reading this...If I have given wrong or bad info please correct me!!!! I just want to learn more too! And yes...A class/course IS in my future...I just gotta save up the dough and do it. Soon!
 
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