Hi from Bristol UK

[W0wbagger]

Hi all - great forum- very useful and good safety tips etc.

Been wanting to get into free diving for a while due to always messing about in the pool underwater when I was younger and then finding out it's a proper sport.
Can hold my breath for 4:30 in (what i now know is called-) dry apnea but looking forward to extending that using the tables in the excellent beginners thread. Would love to have a go properly in the pool but the lack of a dive buddy means it might have to wait. - Could go with my girlfriend but would this be sufficient for static apnea in a pool if she poked me and got a response every so often? What other things would a buddy need to look out for?

 

[Stuart]

Hi,

I don't think anyone on this forum would suggest that you train in the water with someone who does not know what they are doing when your knowledge of freediving safety is likely to be patchy at best, or non-existent at worst. Do yourself a favour and get some training and learn about what you are doing!

Try the following:

Sam Kirby runs courses and all the depth stuff at Salt Free in Chepstow (http://www.saltfreedivers.com ), Steve Millard runs all things north and west and welsh in pool and depth at Manchester and in Dorothea North Wales ( Freedivers learn to freedive with professional instructors email apneaboy111@hotmail.com)

 

[W0wbagger]

Yep I'm starting to appreciate the safety aspects hence why i asked but will also having trouble forking out £250 (not that i'm saying it's an unreasonable price).

I guess what I really need is a buddy who knows his/her stuff but that's a bit of an ask considering I wouldnt be trained to buddy for them so perhaps I better get saving! Meanwhile 5 mins is the target I guess!

Cheers for the links and advice

 

[Salehthefish]

Hello and welcome on DB nice to have u on board...

All best

 

[agbiv]

Welcome from Texas! Yes a knowledgable spotter/bud even in the pool is a must. Use the search feature for Bristol and you should get some names of locals. PM them and you may find a mentor.