Hello all, I as wondering what you think is the important aspect of your freediving watch for learning more. Do you set your depth and time to a specific setting and go by that, is it the surface interval time that is most important (set to say 2 minutes), is it the depth alarm noise you hear that tells you how deep you are or is it the time alarm that tells you to head for the surface. I am just curious as to how you all set up your timepieces for freediving and what it is that is most important when using a watch, thanks all. I have a Suunto D4 by the way.
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Freediving watch, how do you use it?
- Thread starterblack1
- Start date
Thread Status: Hello
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@black1:
I don't have a dive computer yet (waiting for F.10 news) but I use my heart rate monitor as a guide when to do my next dive. I tend to wait until my pulse has come down to a reasonable level.
Restriction is not to operate the buttons under water (Polar RS200) or dive deeper than -say- -20m, which is fine for testdives for me as the lake I dive in is only -18m
At the bottom of the dive I (sometimes) watch my pulse and the elapse time; to stay waterproof I don't use the backlight but the light from the lamp attached to my mask.
I realise I'm taking a risk with the watch, as "waterresistant to 50m" means you can wash your hands wearing the watch and not a lot more. But hey, it's the only means I have for the moment...
I don't have a dive computer yet (waiting for F.10 news) but I use my heart rate monitor as a guide when to do my next dive. I tend to wait until my pulse has come down to a reasonable level.
Restriction is not to operate the buttons under water (Polar RS200) or dive deeper than -say- -20m, which is fine for testdives for me as the lake I dive in is only -18m
At the bottom of the dive I (sometimes) watch my pulse and the elapse time; to stay waterproof I don't use the backlight but the light from the lamp attached to my mask.
I realise I'm taking a risk with the watch, as "waterresistant to 50m" means you can wash your hands wearing the watch and not a lot more. But hey, it's the only means I have for the moment...
I would give a little different opinion than Arjen. Going by feel is of course important but going by feel alone can be dangerous.
A dive watch helps you pace yourself underwater.
I would use the watch to keep track of your dive times and bottom times. For example, diving to 20m then staying down for 10, 20, 30 seconds to get used to the pressure.
I would be too paranoid to do any really serious training without properly being able to check my progress.
If you can, perhaps getting the link to your pc is worthwhile and check your dive profiles over time.
Remember, the best way to progress in freediving is working slowly. A dive computer helps you set the incriments you want to work at to minimize any chances for error.
Of course, don't just rely on the comp but your feelings as well. If you need to go up, go up. Don't wait on the comp to tell you.
P.S. Currently I dive without a comp but I can see how I'd be able to structure my dive sessions better if I did have one.
A dive watch helps you pace yourself underwater.
I would use the watch to keep track of your dive times and bottom times. For example, diving to 20m then staying down for 10, 20, 30 seconds to get used to the pressure.
I would be too paranoid to do any really serious training without properly being able to check my progress.
If you can, perhaps getting the link to your pc is worthwhile and check your dive profiles over time.
Remember, the best way to progress in freediving is working slowly. A dive computer helps you set the incriments you want to work at to minimize any chances for error.
Of course, don't just rely on the comp but your feelings as well. If you need to go up, go up. Don't wait on the comp to tell you.
P.S. Currently I dive without a comp but I can see how I'd be able to structure my dive sessions better if I did have one.
Thanks all
I think I will use it for surface interval times, set it to around 3 minutes and this way I can do my breath up and when I hear the alarm I know it has been a good 3 minutes at surface, stay and breath more obviously if needed or start my final breath up's before descending again. I will also look at it after my dives to see depth and time as well, but, not in the sense that I need to keep beating those times each time I dive, simply to get an overall feel for how my body and lungs felt at those depths and after lot's of practice then under supervision try for a bit deeper and longer.
I think I will use it for surface interval times, set it to around 3 minutes and this way I can do my breath up and when I hear the alarm I know it has been a good 3 minutes at surface, stay and breath more obviously if needed or start my final breath up's before descending again. I will also look at it after my dives to see depth and time as well, but, not in the sense that I need to keep beating those times each time I dive, simply to get an overall feel for how my body and lungs felt at those depths and after lot's of practice then under supervision try for a bit deeper and longer.
hey folks,
just adding my 2 cents worth. Been using a dive computer now for nealy a year and found it invaluable. I currently own a d4 and use all of the alarms, i think the major benefit as stated before is that it allows you to keep track of your dives and surface intervals. i use the dive time alarm to tell me when to come as i dive on frc and without the alarm i would be putting myself at risk of swb.
cheers
Ktreloar
just adding my 2 cents worth. Been using a dive computer now for nealy a year and found it invaluable. I currently own a d4 and use all of the alarms, i think the major benefit as stated before is that it allows you to keep track of your dives and surface intervals. i use the dive time alarm to tell me when to come as i dive on frc and without the alarm i would be putting myself at risk of swb.
cheers
Ktreloar