I have snorkeled most of my life, and before I knew what free diving was I would take 10 or so deep breaths until I felt that tingle and head down, what a beautiful feeling to be down 20 ft or so and feel completely relaxed. Then I learned what free diving was, or at least partial information. And off I would go by myself, with maybe some other snorkelers in the water. A little relaxing on the surface, 10 breaths or so and down I would go. 40 feet was my max. My best dry static was 4.30.
Here is the problem, the dangers, I now find are quite real (althoug I have not experienced BO, SWB, Samba, etc.) This forum has provided me with great information, but now what? I am 38 with a wife and two kids. As it turns our it is probably not quite enough support to have your friend, who can't go deeper than 10 feet, with a mask and snorlel bobbing around at the surface as he watches you disappear.
I am not adverse to risk; windsurfing, mountain biking, etc and I have confidence that I can get my self out of a sticky situation, but it becomes a little more problematic when your brain decides to shut down 'cause your oxygen has reached a critically low level and you are underwater.
If I have a questions I guess it would be is my choices- freedive with a competent buddy, or don't dive at all. Lets say you get out and dive every couple of months over a 10 year period and stay above 60ft are you pretty well guaranteed a SWB at some point? Actually I know the answer to that; it can happen to anybody at anytime. I may have reached my risk tolerance threshold with this sport.
alan
Here is the problem, the dangers, I now find are quite real (althoug I have not experienced BO, SWB, Samba, etc.) This forum has provided me with great information, but now what? I am 38 with a wife and two kids. As it turns our it is probably not quite enough support to have your friend, who can't go deeper than 10 feet, with a mask and snorlel bobbing around at the surface as he watches you disappear.
I am not adverse to risk; windsurfing, mountain biking, etc and I have confidence that I can get my self out of a sticky situation, but it becomes a little more problematic when your brain decides to shut down 'cause your oxygen has reached a critically low level and you are underwater.
If I have a questions I guess it would be is my choices- freedive with a competent buddy, or don't dive at all. Lets say you get out and dive every couple of months over a 10 year period and stay above 60ft are you pretty well guaranteed a SWB at some point? Actually I know the answer to that; it can happen to anybody at anytime. I may have reached my risk tolerance threshold with this sport.
alan